Living with sciatica can make it challenging to perform daily activities because of pain. If you are struggling with sciatica, you may wonder if you qualify for disability benefits. At Burgess & Christensen, we understand how life-changing sciatica can be.
Let’s explore this question and find out whether you can qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to sciatica.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your hips, buttocks, and down each leg. It’s usually caused by a herniated disk, bone spur, or spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spine). Sciatica can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Pain in the lower back and down the leg
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
- Weakness in the leg or foot
- Difficulty sitting or standing for extended periods
While many people experience sciatica that resolves within a few weeks, for others, the pain can become chronic. This prolonged and severe form of sciatica is what often leads people to explore disability benefits.
Correlation Between Sciatica and Disability
One important thing to understand is that sciatica itself is not automatically considered a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA has strict criteria for what qualifies as a disability, and not all medical conditions meet the threshold.
To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must:
- Be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA), meaning you cannot work and earn above a certain income threshold.
- Have a severe impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
- Provide objective medical evidence that supports your impairment.
For sciatica, this means that the condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working and performing daily activities, and it must be well-documented through medical records.
Proving Disability Due to Sciatica
Proving that your sciatica qualifies for disability benefits requires solid medical evidence. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Medical records from your treating physicians, documenting your condition and treatment.
- Imaging studies like MRIs or CT scans show the physical cause of your sciatica.
- Nerve conduction studies to confirm the severity of your nerve damage.
- Treatment history, including physical therapy, medications, and injections you’ve tried.
It’s also important that your records provide details regarding your functional limitations , including how your sciatica affects your ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, or bend. All of this evidence helps demonstrate the impact sciatica has on your ability to perform any type of work.
Also, SSA considers professional opinions from treating physicians about your ability to work, especially if you seek consistent medical treatment. Medical evidence, especially objective evidence (imaging, physical exams) is helpful in the assessment of your claim, and SSA will consider this as well as your reported symptoms. They will also note your age, education, and work history during your disability process, especially if you’re applying under a medical-vocational allowance.
Common Misconceptions About Sciatica and Disability
There are several misconceptions about sciatica and qualifying for disability. Let’s clear up a few:
- “My doctor said I have sciatica, so I automatically qualify for disability.”
Unfortunately, this is a misconception; a diagnosis alone is not enough to qualify. You need to show that your sciatica is severe, long-lasting and prevents you from working. - “I can’t get disability because my sciatica comes and goes.”
The SSA looks for conditions that are severe and expected to last at least 12 months. If your sciatica is chronic and flares up frequently enough to prevent you from working consistently, you may still qualify. - “I can still do some things, so I won’t qualify for disability.”
The SSA’s evaluation is not based on complete incapacitation. Even if you can do some tasks, the key is whether your sciatica prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity.
Seeking Legal Assistance
The Social Security Disability application process can be challenging, especially if your initial claim is denied. That’s where we come in. Our team at Burgess & Christensen is here to help you understand the legal requirements, gather the necessary medical evidence, and guide you through the appeals process if needed.
If you’re a Georgia resident suffering from sciatica and unable to work, we encourage you to reach out. Dealing with the SSA’s rules and proving your case can be tough, but with an experienced attorney by your side, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Don’t hesitate to contact Burgess & Christensen at 770-422-8111 today. We offer free consultations, and our team is committed to helping you secure the benefits you need and deserve. Call us today to get started on your claim!