Social Security Disability for Herniated or Bulging Discs

Can I Collect Social Security Disability for a Herniated or Bulging Disc?

Our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys have represented thousands of men and women with back problems, such as herniated discs. A bulging disc is a very common back injury, and one of the most painful back or spinal conditions.

A Bulging Disc occurs when one of the discs in your vertebrae pops out of alignment when a weak spot in the spine or neck develops. A “Herniated Disc” is another term for a Bulging Disc.

At first there may be no pain or other symptoms until the bulging disc eventually presses on the surrounding tissues and nerves. 90% of all bulging discs occur in the spine, and approximately 10% of all bulging discs occur in the neck.

Criteria for Getting Social Security for a Bulging Disc (Herniated Disc)

In order to receive Social Security Disability approval for a bulging or herniated disc there are specific criteria that you must meet.

First – as with any Social Security Disability Case – in order to be considered “disabled” by Social Security, you must be able to prove that you have a disease or health problem that is severe enough to keep you from working for at least 12 months. If you can prove that your bulging disc prevents you from being able to work – and that the disability will last for at least 12 months – you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits.

Degenerative disc disease, herniated nucleus pulpous, vertebral fracture are included in the SSA’s “Blue Book List” of medical conditions that may qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits. However, just being diagnosed with a Bulging Disc will not, in and of itself, qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits – unless you can also prove that the Bulging Disc makes it not possible for you to continue working in any occupation for which you may be qualified.

Typically Social Security Claimants will only be approved for SSD if a Bulging Disc is ongoing, severe, and unresponsive to treatments. The condition must also be expected to last for more than 12 months, in order to qualify for Social Security Disability.

Social Security Official Listing for Bulging (Herniated) Disc

Social Security specifically lists “herniated nucleus pulposus,” (herniated disc) as a disorder in their Blue Book. However, to officially match the SSA’s listing for spinal disorders, your herniated or bulging disc must cause one of the following provable back problems:

  1. stenosis (narrowing of the spine),
  2. nerve root compression (pressure on spinal nerves from the bulging disc),or
  3. arachnoiditis (inflammation of a membrane surrounding the spinal cord).

In addition to proving that you have nerve root compression, you must also prove that your reflexes or sensation have decreased, your range of motion is limited, and that you have muscle weakness as a result of the bulging disc.

Additionally, when seeking Social Security for a Bulging Disc, you must be able to provide medically documentation of the bulging disc and its effect on the claimant’s ability to work or function in daily life. This means that, along with a doctor’s diagnosis, you should present MRIs, x-rays, or another medical documentation.

It can be very challenging for a Social Security Disability applicant – especially one in severe back pain from a bulging disc – to know what medical evidence is needed and how to best present that medical evidence to the SSA. But an experienced and Social Security Disability attorney will be able to help you create the strongest case possible, by thoroughly demonstrating that you meet the requirements for approval.

Our Attorneys Can Help Collect Social Security for a Bulging Disc

Our experienced Long Beach Social Security attorneys are here to help you with all aspects of your Social Security Disability Case for your Bulging Disc. Our experienced lawyers would be happy to discuss your unique situation with you, to ensure that you receive the maximum Social security Disability benefits for which you may qualify.

Call our Social Security Attorneys for a FREE CONSULTATION: 562-622-4800.

Social Security attorneys for Los Angeles, Orange County & Southern California, including: Anaheim, Carson, Bellflower, Compton, Downey, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, La Mirada, Lakewood, Long Beach, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Torrance, Wilmington, Whittier and Yorba Linda.