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Chronic Back Pain and Social Security Disability

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It might seem surprising that the primary cause of Americans being unable to work is related to back pain. 1 in every 10 individuals suffers from a debilitating condition such as degenerative disc disease, herniated/bulging discs, nerve root compression, spinal stenosis, arachnoiditis or paralysis that affects their daily activities, and ultimately their ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.

If you experience debilitating back pain or have suffered a spinal injury, and this has lasted at least 12 months or can be expected to last at least 12 months, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Having the appropriate medical documentation of your condition, such as X-rays and MRIs, is essential to building a strong case.  This evidence also helps to demonstrate how much your back pain affects your day-to-day activities. It is very important to communicate all of your symptoms and limitations to your healthcare provider.

When Social Security evaluates your claim, they must determine what you are able to do despite your impairments – this is known as the residual functional capacity assessment (RFC).  This determination involves the capacity for sitting, standing, lifting and walking, and several other factors.

Chronic back pain and spinal injuries can be devastating to an individual’s lifestyle, but Social Security Disability benefits can offer some relief when you’re unable to work.  The Disability Attorneys of Arizona have extensive experience in building strong cases and can handle everything from filing the initial claim to the appeals process. We DO NOT collect a fee unless YOU WIN!

If you believe you may be eligible for SSDI due to severe back pain or injury, contact an experienced Arizona disability lawyer free initial consultation.  Let us help you obtain the money you deserve!

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Social Security Disability

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Over 1.5 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.[1]  Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:

  • Tender, warm, swollen joints
  • Morning stiffness that may last for hours
  • Firm bumps of tissue under the skin on your arms (rheumatoid nodules)
  • Fatigue, fever and weight loss

Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first — particularly the joints that attach your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet.

As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. In most cases, symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of your body.

Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms may vary in severity and may even come and go. Periods of increased disease activity, called flares, alternate with periods of relative remission — when the swelling and pain fade or disappear. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joints to deform and shift out of place.[2]

These symptoms can be debilitating, and even when individuals receive proper care and medications, they may still find themselves unable to work.  If you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and are unable to perform your job, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Please contact the Disability Attorneys of Arizona for a free consultation.  You will speak to an experienced Social Security Disability attorney that will walk you through the process and answer any questions that you have.  The Disability Attorneys of Arizona specialize in representing individuals in front of the Social Security Administration and handle cases throughout the entire State of Arizona.  Call 800-975-1866 today to talk to with an Arizona Social Security Lawyer!

 

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid.htm#5

[2] http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/basics/symptoms/con-20014868

DEPRESSION AND SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

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Depression, like many other mental health disorders, does not always reveal itself in shades of black and white.  Some individuals may respond positively to therapy and medications, while others might not have the same response.  In fact, some individuals may never receive appropriate treatment for a variety of reasons – ranging from lack of health insurance to financial constraints.  At times, it might be the very nature of the person’s depressive symptoms that prevents them from leaving their home to pursue adequate treatment.

Individuals with depression experience a variety of symptoms, including: feelings of sadness; anxiety; agitation; sleep disturbance; trouble focusing and concentrating; frequent or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; and loss of interest in activities.[1]

The Huffington Post recently published some eye-opening statistics:

Depression affects over 350,000,000 people worldwide.  To put that figure into perspective, the population of the United States was around 320,000,000 in 2014.[2] 

Depression does not just manifest itself in adults.  Nearly 11% of adolescents will have a depressive disorder by the age of 18.

Women are 70% more likely than man to experience depression in their lifetime.  However, around 16 million men experienced a depressive episode at least once as of 2012. 

30 percent of college students reported depression, which disturbed their school abilities. 

The estimated annual cost of depression in the U.S. due to lost productivity and health care is over $80 million.[3]

If you suffer from depression, or any other health conditions that prevent you from working, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.  Please contact the Disability Attorneys of Arizona for more information regarding Social Security Disability benefits and assistance with filing an application. 

 

[1] See http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/symptoms/con-20032977.

[2] See http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html.

[3] See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/20/depression-statistics_n_6480412.html.