Is a severed spine a disability?

Many, but not all, individuals with spinal cord injuries are automatically eligible for Social Security disability benefits. By David A. Morton III, M.D. Most severe spinal cord problems seen on Social Security disability applications are caused by trauma, such as injuries from automobile accidents.

What is the social impact of a spinal cord injury?

Depression, anxiety, physical symptoms and reduced satisfaction with life in primary family caregivers of patients with SCI were commonly reported across the literature. Isolation, loss of identity and role changes were also regularly reported as negative outcomes of caregiving for someone with an SCI.

What is SCI disability?

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an injury to the spinal cord that results in temporary or permanent changes in the spinal cord’s normal motor, sensory, or autonomic function. People who sustain a spinal cord injury often have permanent and profound neurologic deficits and accompanying disability.

Does a spinal cord injury qualify for disability?

Anyone with a spinal cord injury can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits as long as the injury has lasted at least three months and is expected to make it impossible for you to work for at least 12 months.

Why does severed spinal cord injuries result in permanent disability?

Spinal cord injuries are permanent because it’s direct damage to the nerves that send signals to the brain that controls many of our functions. While modern medicine can help partially heal some of those wounds and allow some with spinal injuries to lead independent lives, there are some injuries that are permanent.

Is a spinal cord injury a disability?

Is paraplegia a disability?

What Symptoms Do I Need to Qualify? Individuals with paraplegia may face a broad range of symptoms, affecting one’s ability to work differently. The Social Security Administration (SSA) lists the criteria for disability benefits in the Social Security Blue Book.

Can a person with a spinal cord injury qualify for disability?

Qualify for Disability with a Spinal Cord Injury. The listing typically used to evaluate a spinal cord injury is 1.04 Disorders of the Spine. If an applicant’s spinal cord injury does not meet the listing below and prevents him or her from working, he or she may become approved through the medical vocational allowance.

What causes spinal cord injury on social security?

Most severe spinal cord problems seen on Social Security disability applications are caused by trauma, such as injuries from automobile accidents. Other possible causes of spinal cord injury (SCI) include many kinds of infection, tumors, inflammatory diseases, and genetic and congenital disorders.

Can you get a disability if you have a back injury?

arrow_drop_down arrow_right. Even if you have severe, documented back problems, it’s difficult to get approved for disability benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA) under the SSA’s official impairment listing for spinal disorders. It’s not easy to win a disability claim based on degenerative disc disease.

How are incomplete spinal cord injuries ( SCI ) treated?

Every person with an incomplete spinal cord injury is unique in regards to their injury. Incomplete SCI’s are known as: Persons with SCI face a path of rehabilitation that can be lengthy. The rehabilitation process often involves a Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Unit, Rehabilitation Center, or Spinal Injury Unit.

Do you qualify for Social Security disability with spinal cord injury?

Many, but not all, individuals with spinal cord injuries are automatically eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Give this form to your doctor to determine whether you meet the requirements for any of Social Security’s back disorder listings.

What kind of disability can you get with a spine disorder?

Even if your condition itself isn’t specifically listed in the Blue Book, you still may qualify for benefits using a medical-vocational allowance or the residual functional capacity (RFC). Spine disorders are some of the more common medical problems that can result in a permanent disability.

How many people in the US have spinal cord injuries?

In the United States there are about 700,000 persons with a disability involving their spinal cord. The disabilities these people have include Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury, Poliomyelitis, Spina Bifida, Syningomelia, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).