Yes, you can get Social Security Disability benefits for scoliosis, but having the disability does not automatically qualify you. You’ll need to show that your scoliosis is severe enough to prevent you from working.
While scoliosis isn’t specifically listed as a qualifying condition in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Blue Book, you can still apply for benefits. The SSA awards disability benefits to those with medical conditions that make it impossible for them to maintain employment.
If you need help filing for disability with scoliosis, reach out to our law firm now. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge to help you obtain benefits when you’re unable to work by proving your disability claim.
Types of Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that can take different forms:
- Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type and often begins during childhood or teen years. The cause is unknown.
- Congenital scoliosis starts before birth when the spine doesn’t form properly.
- Neuromuscular scoliosis happens due to conditions that affect nerves and muscles, like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
- Degenerative scoliosis develops in adults due to degenerative changes in the spine.
- Traumatic scoliosis refers to a curvature of the spine that occurs after a sudden, intense injury.
Living With Scoliosis: Why Work Can Be Difficult
Severe scoliosis can make working extremely challenging for many reasons, such as:
- Chronic Pain: This is often the most limiting symptom. Many people with scoliosis experience constant back, neck, and shoulder pain that gets worse with activity.
- Breathing Problems: Respiratory issues can occur when severe curves compress the lungs, making physical activity difficult and causing fatigue.
- Limited Mobility: The condition can make it hard to stand up straight, bend, lift, or twist— movements required in many jobs. Muscle imbalances, discomfort, and reduced range of motion are common.
- Nerve Damage: Compression or pinched nerves around the spine can cause numbness, weakness, or shooting pain in the legs and arms.
- Fatigue: Fatigue is common because the body works harder to maintain balance with an uneven spine. Muscle strain can further contribute to tiredness.
- Treatment Side Effects: Post-surgical pain and restrictions can limit physical activity and work capacity. Recovery from surgery often involves limited mobility and the need for rehabilitation.
For those with severe scoliosis, even sitting at a desk for long periods can be painful, while physical jobs may be completely impossible.
How To Qualify for Disability With Scoliosis
General SSA Requirements
To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits with any disability, you must meet these basic requirements:
- Your condition must prevent you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
- Your disability must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
- Your condition must meet specific qualifying medical criteria
The Blue Book contains qualifying impairments for disability benefits. The SSA references the Blue Book when reviewing claims. However, for conditions like scoliosis that don’t have a listing, claimants must file for benefits in a slightly different way than those who have a qualifying condition.
How Does Scoliosis Qualify for Disability?
Even though scoliosis doesn’t have its own listing in the Blue Book, you might qualify under another, related listing. Some examples include:
- 1.15 Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s)
- 1.18 Abnormality of a major joint(s) in any extremity (possible if scoliosis affects your hip, shoulder, knee, or other major joints, causing pain and limited movement)
- 11.00 Neurological disorders
Medical-Vocational Allowance
If you don’t meet any specific Blue Book listing, you may qualify through a Medical-Vocational Allowance. This considers:
- Your age (older applicants have an easier time qualifying)
- Education
- Work experience and transferable skills
- The physical limitations caused by your medical condition
The SSA will assess your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). This is a measure of what you can still do despite your disability. Your RFC might show you:
- Cannot sit for more than 30 minutes
- Cannot stand or walk for more than 1-2 hours in an 8-hour workday
- Cannot lift more than 10 pounds
- Cannot bend, twist, or reach overhead
- Need to lie down periodically during the day to relieve pain
If the SSA determines that your limitations are so severe that you cannot perform your past work AND you cannot adjust to other types of work, they will approve your claim. This is especially true if you:
- Are over 50 years old
- Have limited education or job skills
- Have worked mostly in physical jobs that you can no longer do
Qualifying Evidence for Your Scoliosis Disability Claim
Strong medical evidence is crucial for your disability claim. Medical records you should gather include:
- Imaging results (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans) showing the degree of your spinal curve or nerve compression and other complications
- Treatment history, including medications, physical therapy, bracing, or surgery
- Doctor’s notes about your symptoms, limitations, and response to treatment
- Surgical records, if you’ve had surgical procedures
- Functional assessments
- Records of pain management treatments
- Pain diary showing frequency, intensity, and impact on activities
- Medication side effects that further limit your functioning
The more thorough your medical documentation, the stronger your claim will be.
What Benefits Are Available for Scoliosis?
Two main disability benefit programs are available through the Social Security Administration:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides disability benefits if you’ve worked and paid into Social Security through payroll taxes. Your monthly benefit amount is based on your earnings history.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Available to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources, regardless of work history. SSI is also for blind and aged (65 and older) individuals with limited income and resources.
Both programs provide monthly payments, and you may qualify for Medicare or Medicaid depending on which benefits you receive.
Common Questions About Scoliosis and Disability Benefits
What if my scoliosis disability claim is denied?
Many claims are denied initially, even for serious conditions. You have the right to appeal the SSA’s denial, and many people win their benefits during the appeals process. The four levels of appeal are:
- Reconsideration Request
- Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
- Appeals Council Review
- Civil Suit in a Federal District Court
Working with an experienced disability attorney significantly improves your chances during both the initial application and appeals process.
How long does scoliosis last?
Scoliosis is typically a permanent condition. While treatments like physical therapy, bracing, or surgery may help manage symptoms or stop the curve from worsening, most people with scoliosis have it for life. Some types, particularly degenerative scoliosis, tend to worsen over time.
Work With Drozdowski & Rabin for Your Scoliosis Disability Claim
Getting approved for disability benefits with scoliosis can be challenging because:
- It’s not specifically listed in the Blue Book
- The severity varies greatly from person to person
- Pain is subjective and difficult to prove
- Many people with mild scoliosis can work, so you must prove that your case is different
Our experienced disability attorneys understand these challenges and know how to effectively present your case to the SSA. At Drozdowski & Rabin, PLLC, we help clients throughout Tennessee and Western North Carolina navigate the complex disability application process. Our lawyers:
- Gather the right medical evidence to support your claim
- Work with your doctors to document your limitations properly
- Help you understand which listings might apply to your condition
- Complete your application accurately to avoid technical denials
- Guide you through the appeals process and represent you at hearings if your initial claim is denied
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that severe scoliosis can have on your life. Trust our Tennessee disability attorneys to help you get the benefits you need and deserve.
Contact Our Law Firm
With over 100 years of combined experience helping disability claimants, our firm has in-depth knowledge about what the SSA looks for when evaluating all types of claims. We’ve helped many clients with conditions like scoliosis successfully obtain benefits, even after initial denials. We understand the medical evidence that matters most, how to document your limitations effectively, and the best strategies for presenting your case.
Don’t struggle with the disability application process alone. Contact Drozdowski & Rabin, PLLC, today for a free consultation about your scoliosis disability claim. Our experienced team will review your case and help you understand your options for securing benefits.
