Musculoskeletal Disorders & Disability

An amputation can qualify for Social Security disability under Blue Book listing 1.20, which covers loss of both hands, a leg amputation at or above…

Yes, avascular necrosis can qualify for Social Security disability. SSA may evaluate it under Blue Book listing 1.18 for a major joint abnormality,…

Serious back injuries can qualify for Social Security disability. SSA evaluates most of them under Blue Book listing 1.15 for nerve root compromise,…

Yes, carpal tunnel syndrome can qualify for Social Security disability, though there is no specific listing for it. SSA evaluates carpal tunnel…

Yes, chronic back pain can qualify for Social Security disability, though there is no listing for pain itself. SSA evaluates the underlying spine…

Chronic joint pain can qualify for Social Security disability when it stems from a documented joint abnormality. SSA evaluates it under Blue Book…

Yes, complex regional pain syndrome can qualify for Social Security disability. There is no single CRPS listing, so SSA follows its ruling on the…

Yes, degenerative disc disease can qualify for Social Security disability. SSA evaluates it under Blue Book listing 1.15 when a deteriorating disc…

Yes, degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis, can qualify for Social Security disability. SSA may evaluate a badly damaged major joint…

Yes, fibromyalgia can qualify for Social Security disability, even though it has no Blue Book listing. SSA follows a special ruling (SSR 12-2p) to…

A herniated disc can qualify for Social Security disability when the disc material compresses a nerve root. SSA evaluates it under Blue Book listing…

A hip replacement can qualify for Social Security disability under Blue Book listing 1.17 when, after surgery, you still have a documented medical…

A knee replacement can qualify for Social Security disability under Blue Book listing 1.17 if, after the surgery, you still medically need a walker,…

Yes, osteoarthritis can qualify for Social Security disability. SSA evaluates it under Blue Book listing 1.18 when a major joint shows chronic pain,…

Yes, reflex sympathetic dystrophy can qualify for Social Security disability. RSD, an older name for complex regional pain syndrome, has no dedicated…

Yes, a serious rotator cuff injury can qualify for Social Security disability. SSA may evaluate major shoulder problems under Blue Book listing 1.18,…

Yes, severe sciatica can qualify for Social Security disability when it comes from a nerve root compression that meets Blue Book listing 1.15. That…

Yes, severe scoliosis can qualify for Social Security disability. SSA evaluates it under Blue Book listing 1.15 when the abnormal spinal curve…

Yes, a spinal cord injury can qualify for Social Security disability. SSA evaluates it under Blue Book listing 11.08 for spinal cord disorders. You…

Yes, lasting complications after spinal fusion can qualify for Social Security disability. When ongoing nerve compression remains, SSA may evaluate…

Yes, spinal stenosis can qualify for Social Security disability. Lumbar stenosis that compresses the cauda equina is evaluated under Blue Book…

Yes, spondylolisthesis can qualify for Social Security disability when a slipped vertebra compresses a nerve root. SSA evaluates that under Blue Book…