Musculoskeletal Disorders

Clients Success Stories: Disability Benefits for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Plus additional resources on getting disability benefits for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Back Problems

Getting disability benefits for back pain and problems depends on a variety of factors. Does your back pain impact your ability to work or even perform household chores?

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Balin Law Client Testimonial From Cheryl W.

Cheryl has neck and back pain due to bulging discs along with carpal tunnel that left her unable to work. Read why she left the previous disability firm she was working with and hired Balin Law for her disability case.

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Balin Law Client Testimonial From Linda B.

Linda suffers from migraines, degenerative disc disease and arthritis. After waiting nearly four years for disability benefits, she decided to hire a law firm for help. Find out why she hired Balin Law.

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Disability Benefits for Cement Masons

Charles was a cement mason who was denied disability benefits before hiring Balin Law. Read Charles’ story and his experience hiring a firm that helped him win disability benefits.

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What Social Security lists for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal Disorders that may qualify for disability benefits are evaluated under Section 1.00 of Social Security’s Listing of Impairments – Adult Listings.

Per Social Security, these conditions are “disorders of the skeletal spine (vertebral column) or of the upper or lower extremities that affect musculoskeletal functioning under these listings.” They note that “skeletal” refers to “structure of the bony skeleton”, and “skeletal spine” refers to “the bony structures, ligaments, and discs making up the spine”. Social Security adds that “Musculoskeletal disorders may be congenital or acquired, and may include deformities, amputations, or other abnormalities. These disorders may involve the bones or major joints; or the tendons, ligaments, muscles, or other soft tissues.”

A few examples of the many impairments evaluated for disability benefits under this section include:

  • Arthritis
  • Chronic joint pain or stiffness
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Hip replacements
  • Knee replacements
  • Back pain
  • Spinal fusions
  • Back surgery
  • Bulging or ruptured disks
  • Herniated disk
  • Slipped disks
  • Spinal osteoarthritis (spondylosis)
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Vertebral fracture or dislocation
  • Ruptured tendons
  • Non-healing or complex fractures of the femur, tibia, pelvis, or one or more of the talocrural bones

Related Disabilities evaluated in other sections include:

Disorder or injury of the skeletal spine that results in damage to, and neurological dysfunction of, the spinal cord and its associated nerves (for example, paraplegia or quadriplegia) under the listings in 11.00.

Inflammatory arthritis (for example, rheumatoid arthritis) under the listings in 14.00.

Curvatures of the skeletal spine that interfere with your ability to breathe under the listings in 3.00, impair myocardial function under the listings in 4.00, or result in social withdrawal or depression under the listings in 12.00.

Non-healing or pathological fractures due to cancer, whether it is a primary site or metastases, under the listings in 13.00.

Leg pain associated with peripheral vascular claudication and foot ulceration associated with peripheral arterial disease under the listings in 4.00.

Burns that do not require continuing surgical management under the listings in 8.00.