Mobility & Orthopedic Conditions that Qualify for Disability

Chronic orthopedic and mobility-related impairments can severely impact your ability to work and make a living. If you suffer from a serious musculoskeletal condition like degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or the effects of amputation or reconstructive surgery, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. 

However, qualifying for benefits requires extensive medical evidence proving your condition meets very specific criteria outlined by the Social Security Administration (SSA). A disability lawyer can explain which mobility and orthopedic conditions qualify for disability.

A Greenville Social Security disability lawyer at Pilzer Klein can evaluate your orthopedic impairment, gather the necessary documentation, and build a case to pursue the benefits you deserve. We have over 50 years of combined experience and we’re ready to help you.

Mobility & Orthopedic Impairments that Meet Disability Criteria

If you suffer from a severe condition impacting your musculoskeletal system and mobility, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific disability listings covering musculoskeletal disorders, such as major orthopedic and mobility-related impairments. 

Some of the conditions that may meet these criteria include:

• Degenerative disc disease: Advanced cases of degenerative disc disease resulting in compromise of a nerve root or the spinal cord, causing severe pain and limiting the ability to walk, stand, or perform basic mobility functions over an extended period.
• Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis causing pseudo-claudication that results in an inability to ambulate effectively, as defined by specific medical imaging and testing requirements outlined by the SSA.
• Spinal disorders: Herniated discs, spinal arachnoiditis, osteoarthritis, facet arthritis, vertebral fractures, or other spinal disorders resulting in compromise of a nerve root or the spinal cord with associated mobility limitations.
• Amputation: The amputation of a hand, arm, leg, or foot—especially if occurring at certain defined levels outlined by the SSA—can qualify as a mobility-limiting condition meriting disability benefits.

The SSA maintains very specific criteria for determining if a person is disabled. A disability lawyer can evaluate orthopedic impairments and present the strongest case supported by comprehensive medical evidence.

How a Disability Lawyer Can Strengthen Your Claim

Proving your mobility or orthopedic impairment meets the stringent criteria for Social Security disability benefits can be an uphill battle without legal representation. A disability lawyer can work to ensure no aspect of your condition is overlooked or undervalued.

Collecting Comprehensive Medical Evidence

Your attorney will meticulously gather all pertinent medical records, test results, imaging scans, treatment notes, and physician assessments to build an irrefutable file documenting the severity of your impairment and its functional limitations on mobility and work capacity.

Soliciting Expert Testimony

To reinforce objective clinical evidence, your lawyer may obtain supportive statements from your treating physicians, physical therapists, and independent medical and vocational experts able to authoritatively opine on your specific limitations.

Presenting Your Case

During hearings before the Social Security Administration and potential appeals, your disability lawyer will assertively advocate for how your mobility restrictions meet or equal one of the musculoskeletal listings based on the full compendium of evidence compiled in your file.

Appealing Denied Claims

If your initial claim is denied, having legal counsel greatly improves your chances of success by properly navigating Social Security’s multi-level appeals system and judicial review process when necessary.

From detailing your orthopedic condition to arguing how it functionally impairs your mobility per regulations, a disability attorney can help you obtain the benefits you deserve.

Establishing Work Credits for Musculoskeletal Disability Claims

Before the SSA considers if your orthopedic or mobility condition meets disability listings, you must have enough work credits from your earnings history. Most disabled workers need 20 credits from the ten years before disability onset, equating to around five recent years of work.

For younger claimants disabled earlier in their careers, as few as six work credits can qualify. This helps those with conditions like congenital spinal disorders, juvenile arthritis or disabling injuries access benefits despite limited work histories.

How a Lawyer Can Help Prove Your Work Credits

Maximizing annual credits from income earnings is advantageous, as it strengthens eligibility if musculoskeletal degeneration progresses over time. A disability lawyer can review your records and ensure you meet the applicable work credit threshold for your age before evaluating your condition’s merits.

Proper credits are critical. Without them, even the most severe orthopedic impairment will be disregarded before getting a disability determination based on medical evidence. 

Call Us to Learn About the Mobility & Orthopedic Conditions That Qualify for Disability Benefits

You deserve time and energy to focus on healing and adjusting to a new normal. While you do that, our disability lawyer can handle your claim or appeal. We can gather the necessary evidence to seek the benefits you deserve. 

Contact us for more information. We can discuss your claim during a free, no-obligation consultation.