Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition caused by the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve). TN is also known as “tic douloureux,” “prosopalgia,” “the Suicide Disease,” or “Fothergill’s disease”. This compression eventually wears away and causes damage to the protective sheath around the nerve. Less often, it can occur in people with Multiple Sclerosis, caused by nerve compression from a tumor, or as a result of injury to the nerve sustained during a number of different surgical procedures. The trigeminal nerve carries sensation between your face and your brain.
Trigeminal neuralgia can be characterized by extreme, spontaneous, and sporadic attacks of pain, precipitated by performing even simple tasks such as brushing your teeth, chewing, speaking, or applying makeup. For some, the pain can be mild and can go into remission. The attacks may also be daily or intermittent and are more common in women than men. Along with pain, they can be associated with tingling, burning, and even muscle spasms. Trigeminal neuralgia can be treated via different modalities including prescription medications (anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids) and several neurosurgical procedures.
Can you get disability benefits for trigeminal neuralgia?
The good news: It is possible to obtain disability for trigeminal neuralgia and Balin Law has been very successful in winning these types of cases! However, it can be difficult because there are not many objective tests to determine if a person has the condition. An MRI or a magnetic resonance angiography could reveal an issue with the trigeminal nerve but for some people tests may be inconclusive. Diagnosis is often based upon a person’s subjective complaints, along with any corresponding neurological and physical examination findings, and it is often a diagnosis of exclusion after other conditions are ruled out such as cluster headaches, Multiple Sclerosis, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
How does the Social Security Administration (SSA) qualify trigeminal neuralgia as a disability?
To be considered disabled by Social Security, you must show that you have an inability to perform substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. (20 C.F.R. §404.1505).
One basis for disability is to show that your condition meets and/or equals an impairment in the Listing of Impairments. The Listings describe impairments in each major body system considered severe enough to prevent a person from performing substantial gainful activity. Unfortunately, there is no Listing specific to trigeminal neuralgia and it is difficult to show that trigeminal neuralgia, when combined with any other impairments with which a person may be suffering, equals a Listing.
Most trigeminal neuralgia cases are granted based upon medical-vocational considerations. You must show that the combination of your impairments and the symptoms which flow from them result in such significant work limitations that you are precluded from performing any work in the national economy on a sustained basis. When SSA determines whether or not a person is disabled, they assess the severity of your symptoms. Social Security will also evaluate how consistent the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of your symptoms are with the objective medical and other evidence in your case, including, but not limited to, your statements to providers, statements from your providers, medications taken and their effectiveness, types of treatments other than medication used to relieve your symptoms, and your daily activities. (SSR 16-3p). Learn more about how your medical records tell your story in a Social Security disability case.
Can you work with trigeminal neuralgia?
If you have TN, the condition can worsen over time with the pain-free intervals becoming less and less frequent and the pain medications becoming less effective. A person may experience such severe pain on a consistent and ongoing basis that they find it difficult to concentrate and focus, causing off-task behavior. If such behavior rises to the level of 20% (sometimes as low as a little more than 10%, depending on the vocational expert assigned to your case) it is usually preclusive of all work. Similarly, if you are expected to be absent from work, two days per month is usually the threshold at which all work is precluded. Many times, constant and debilitating pain can cause mental health impairments and may impact your abilities for social interaction, also greatly restricting any available jobs.
Benefits of hiring a disability lawyer if you have trigeminal neuralgia
There are many benefits to hiring a disability lawyer if you or a loved one is suffering from trigeminal neuralgia. Filing for disability benefits is an arduous process. It can be burdensome on claimants to file and fill out paperwork appropriately when details matter. Balin Law has successfully represented numerous disability claimants with trigeminal neuralgia. We recommend that as soon as a person thinks they can no longer work full-time, they should apply since all payable benefits are tied to your application filing date.
It was a relief to our clients to hire our law firm as we handle all aspects of your case, including gathering all of the necessary evidence. We also solicit necessary medical opinions from your treating providers and strongly advocate for you all at steps of the adjudication process, but especially at the hearing level when your case is presented before a U.S. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Obtaining disability benefits can not only provide a person with a stream of income but also much-needed medical coverage. Moreover, hiring an experienced law firm to represent you can improve your likelihood of winning.
Balin Law prides itself in taking on difficult cases, often involving rare conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, and no case is too complicated for our talented attorneys! We understand this condition has no cure and can be extremely painful and we strive to treat each client with compassion and do the legwork so you don’t have to. We offer free consultations and will thoroughly evaluate the merits of your case and advise you if we can help. Please call us toll-free at 866-492-2546 to speak with a representative. You can also use our live Chat feature 24/7 down below, or send us a message. Get the benefits you deserve!
Greetings! I had Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) since 1994 upon returning back from the Persian Gulf War (Operations Desert Storm). I had TN six months after returning back and had multiple procedures since then as this is a chronic illness. Back then, they prescribed me with Tegretol, which worked for a few months before allergic reaction and was admitted to the hospital. I was in the hospital for a week and half. I was still suffering when I got discharged and since, I was prescribed numerous medications such as Percocet, Dilantin, Bactrim, Gabapentin, and numerous others till now. Thus far, they prescribed me around 18 types of medication. I had Microscopic Decompression procedure at Queens Medical hospital back in 1998 as I was severely suffering from the pain. I was given two morphine shots before my surgical procedure. I missed a lot of work time because of the suffering I was going through. The procedure helps me for around 12 years but was still feeling a bit of pain in between. In 2012, I started feeling the pain again. It got worst so I went to see a neurosurgeon at St. Francis hospital in Hawaii and was given a Gamma Knife (brain radiation treatment) procedure. The treatment helped me for a year but came back and was prescribed medications which helps a bit. Initially, I was prescribed 40mg of Lamotrigine but did tolerate and went up to 600 to 700mg. I had a sudden pain one evening and was prescribed 250mg of Levetiracetam, which helped a bit till was spinning (Vertigo) and started vomiting. I took this additional medication for around 4 months but quit taking it since I was diagnosed with Vertigo. Currently, I am still taking 600 to 700mg Lamotrigine. It helps but still feeling the pain every now and then. I filed TN since 1994, and filed three supplemental claims since. I most recently got denied again because they don’t have evidence that it is service connected, however, on they included a favorable finding identified in the decision that I was exposed to toxic during my service in the Gulf War. Good thing is I kept copies of the first claim and decision I filed back in 1994, which was denied. I was wondering if I qualify for SSDI under social security since I am 63 years old.. I am currently 100% VA, but fighting to claim the initial VA claims I filed back in 1994 that was denied. I filed for TN back then with numerous others such as depression. I filed for Supplemental claims under the PACT Act, but they kept denying my claims. On the recent decision, they referred me to a Higher-Level Review, which I am preparing now. After reviewing TN disability, I noted that I can qualify for claims under Nerve Damage, and pursuing getting assistance from your law firm to see if I qualify based on the two procedures I had in the past with the Microscopic Decompression and the Gamma Knife procedures. I am also exploring the possibility of filing for TBI under the Special Monthly Compensation but need help from experts in TN and all these occurred in the past. I do have a lot of evidence, files and medical records I kept from the time I had TN, as well as the two procedures I had. Wondering if someone can help me.
Dear Harry,
Thank you for sharing your story, and more importantly, for your service. Trigeminal Neuralgia can be an incredibly difficult condition to manage, and it sounds like you’ve been through a long road of treatments and challenges since your time in the Gulf War.
Regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the eligibility requirements are different from those for VA disability. SSDI benefits are based on work history and recent payment of Social Security taxes, while VA disability is based on service-connected conditions. The Social Security Administration has a helpful side-by-side comparison of SSDI and VA benefits here: https://www.ssa.gov/people/veterans/
SSDI requires that you’ve worked 5 of the last 10 years, which they determine through work credits. Per SSA, “you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year your disability begins. This is called the 20/40 Rule.” To find out if you’ve earned enough work credits to be eligible for SSDI or for Retirement, you can create a “my Social Security” account at SSA.gov.
If you’d like to talk through your situation in more detail, we’d be glad to see if we can help. Please feel free to reach out to us directly through our website or by phone at 866-49-BALIN.
Hello
I too suffered from trigeminal neuralgia and had the micro vascular decompression surgery back in March of 2024. While the pain is gone, I suffer from extreme exhaustion & foggy brain since the surgery. I was out on disability for 6 months then tried to go back to work but couldn’t concentrate or perform my duties as necessary. My company was offering VERP “ voluntary early retirement package) so I took it back in Sept of 2024. I am still not feeling well enough to go back to work….
Would I be eligible for SS disability given I’m still struggling with extreme fatigue?
Hi Darlene,
It sounds like you’ve been through a lot! While that’s wonderful to hear that you’re not enduring that kind of intense pain anymore, brain fog and fatigue are no joke either. It can be just as bad (even dangerous, depending on the job) as going to work drunk or under extreme sleep deprivation. So yes, SSA has certainly approved people with similar symptoms when it has impaired their ability to work. However, program eligibility is equally important. Someone could be in a coma but get denied disability benefits if they don’t meet the technical requirements. If you’ve been paying into Social Security and you’re not Full Retirement Age (FRA) yet, which is 66-67, then you should absolutely reach out to an experienced Social Security Disability Law Firm to discuss your next steps (I’ve heard good things about Balin Law). Even if you’re about to be, or just reached FRA, but you weren’t when you accepted their VERP last March, you could still be eligible for back pay (like a reimbursement) for disability benefits from the past year.
If you’d be interested in getting a free consultation with one of our attorneys, contact us through the website here or give us a call at 866-49-BALIN. We’re in the office 8am-5pm (Eastern), Monday-Friday. They’ll gather some information from you, send you some forms to fill out, and then get you scheduled with one of our attorneys; totally free, no obligation.
Glad you reached out to us, Darlene! You came to the right place!
Does the law firm have any experience with other cranial neuropathies, specifically Glossopharyngeal neuralgia and / or Geniculate neuralgia?
Is it easier to get approved when an MRI showed clear nerve compression by offending arteries?
I recently underwent microvascular decompression brain surgery to pad the nerve compressions. Medications did not provide relief and/or made me ill. So far surgery reduced my symptoms significantly and I can currently work. Is there anything I should be doing to help a future SSDI case if my condition ever worsens to that degree? Would like my ducks in a row.
Great question and good thinking, Rebecca.
Regarding Glossopharyngeal and Geniculate neuralgia, I haven’t had the opportunity to talk with the attorneys, but with 130 years handling disability cases between the 6 of them I wouldn’t doubt it, but Trigeminal is the only one I know of for sure.
Any time that there are definitive medical results, whether it’s imaging or bloodwork, that is always beneficial in proving your case.
We recommend keeping a journal to document symptoms – any break-through pain that affects your ability to concentrate or focus on tasks.
We are so glad to hear that your surgery was a success and was able to provide you some relief. We hope it stays that way! If it doesn’t though, please know that we’re here if you do ever need to file a claim.
I am a teacher in Kentucky. We do not pay into Social Security because of a separate retirement plan. I am going into my 3rd year with Trigeminal Neuralgia. Teaching is becoming almost impossible due to pain and memory problems due to medicine. Am I eligible for disability since I don’t pay into Social Security?
Hi Kerry,
We’re so sorry to hear what you’re going through.
So, “Disability” as in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is just like any other insurance program, in that if you haven’t paid into it, you’re not going to be able to make a claim and get benefits. Since you’ve paid into a different kind of program though, you might qualify for disability benefits through them (assuming KPPA)? Call and talk to someone at KPPA, or if you’re part of a teachers’ union, they also might be able to help you navigate what your options are.
We wish you the best of luck, and feel free to give us a call if you think there’s anything we might be able to assist with.
Hello! I have Trigeminal Neuralgia for a few years now and 3 weeks ago i had the Gama knife surgery done. As per the doctor I was told that any of the surgeries would just relieve some of the pain, but it doesn’t work on everyone. I still have the severe pain, which means it did not work and my pills aren’t working either. How would I know if I will be approved for SSD or SSI and how long it would take to get approved? I have proof of the surgery
.
Hi Clarisa,
We’re so sorry to hear that. I can only imagine the frustration and disappointment you must be feeling.
Step 1 – you can go to the Social Security website and create a “my Social Security” account. It will tell you if you’re eligible for SSDI (Disability Insurance) and if so, how much your monthly benefit would be. Eligibility for SSDI is based on how much you’ve worked – or more specifically, if you’ve paid enough into Social Security. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) on the other hand is a needs-based program so it does not depend on work history; instead it requires proof that your household is bringing in little to no income.
The approval process can take a few months. Having an attorney can certainly speed up the process by ensuring you have your ducks in a row, all the right paperwork, etc. And you pay nothing out of pocket either – Social Security Disability lawyers only get paid if they win, and even then it’s only 25% of the back pay Social Security owes you; SSA pays the attorney directly, so you literally will never get a bill from us. Period.
Everything is done by phone, online, and sometimes video chat now, so while we’re in Ohio we can work with clients all across the United States. Our team has experience with getting benefits for clients with TN, so Balin Law would be a great fit to represent you. We’re happy to answer any other questions you have – just give us a call! (866) 492-2546 Or you can fill out our New Client form here.
To anyone suffering from this condition, it’s definitely going to be important that you get disability bc eventually you will be unable to work. I’ve had TN for a few years and I’m grateful that SSD was available (after attempting a couple times). They’ll turn you down automatically the 1st time but keep at it. It’s important to get an attorney who specializes in this area. You’ll definitely need it!
As a side note, I have bilateral pain. Am I the only one who’s pain isn’t isolated to the face? I feel it in my temples & head too…. as if I’m getting tazed there approx 80-100 times/day.
Anyway, good luck to all who are seeking disability compensation. I wish you all the best!
Thank you for sharing your experience, Yaya. With such a rare condition, it’s nice to find others to talk to who are also going through it. Especially with something so painful and “invisible”.
And we agree, it’s best to have an experienced attorney to advocate for you and handle the leg work. Getting disability benefits approved for disorders like Trigeminal Neuralgia can be difficult because there is no objective test or scan to prove it. Rather, diagnosis is often based on self-reported symptoms.
To anyone dealing with TN, our attorneys are amongst the few with experience winning cases for disability benefits for Trigeminal neuralgia. We work with clients all across the U.S. (not just in Ohio) and you don’t pay a dime unless and until we win. Once we win, the attorney fee is only 25% of the back pay (past-due benefits) owed to you, and even that will be divided and paid by the Social Security Administration – you don’t even have to deal with writing a check.
Thank you again, Yaya. We hope you’re having a Happy Holiday and wish you a Happy New Year.
Mary Wilson I suffer from Trigeminal Nerve pain
Had Three rhizotomy surgery excucating pain
Was not giving prescriptions for my pain
Oh Mary, we’re so sorry. If you need help filing for disability please let us know, OK? You can call us at 866-492-2546 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.
What lawyer did you use?
Hi Cynthia,
I’m not sure who Yaya used, but Balin Law works with clients across the U.S. and our attorneys are certainly familiar with Trigeminal Neuralgia. Everything related to SSA, filing, appealing, etc., is still being done either online or via phone, so we can help you no matter where you live. Our attorneys have been known to travel if needed in-person as well, but we don’t foresee any in-person requirements in the near future. Give us a call at the number up top or use our New Client form here. We’re in the office from 8am-5pm Eastern time.