Is scoliosis considered a moderate disability?
Scoliosis is a common condition in children that can progress in severity during natural growth periods. Generally most scoliosis cases are mild and require little to no treatment. However, there are severe cases in which serious complications may arise and surgery might be required. Symptoms and Signs of Scoliosis
How many people get disability for scoliosis?
Get Disability Benefits With Scoliosis. Many people with scoliosis can continue to work and earn a living. Some people with severe cases of the back problem, however, suffer from impairments serious enough that they limit their ability to work. If your scoliosis is affecting your career and you need help making ends meet, you may be eligible ...
Can a person get SSI for having scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a valid medical condition to include on an application for Social Security or SSI disability.If there were a listing for scoliosis in the SSA Blue Book impairment listings, it would be in section 1.00 of the adult listings, Musculoskeletal System - Adult.
What will doctors do for scoliosis?
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Many people may remember scoliosis tests in school. Dr. Tyler McDonald from USA joined WKRG News 5 to talk about adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. McDonald explains that there are many kinds of scoliosis that can impact children.
How hard is it to get disability for scoliosis?
Although the SSA does not consider scoliosis to be a disability, the medical disorder can generate severe enough symptoms to qualify you for disability benefits. The SSA has created a medical guide called the Blue Book, which lists the medical conditions and symptoms that qualify applicants for financial assistance.
What percent disability is scoliosis?
40% – with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months. 20% – with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months.
Does scoliosis qualify for SSDI?
You will only be approved for SSDI for scoliosis if it impacts your ability to work. However, it can cause debilitating conditions if it has severe symptoms and works in conjunction with other medical conditions or disorders that you have.
What spine disorders qualify for disability?
What Spine Disorders Qualify for Disability Benefits?Degenerative Disc Disease.Facet Arthritis.Herniated Nucleus Pulposus.Osteoarthritis.Spinal Arachnoiditis.Spinal Stenosis.Vertebra Fractures.
Is scoliosis a hidden disability?
While scoliosis doesn't have its own listing, if it's a severe enough case that causes significant issues with the spine, it can meet the requirements as a listed disorder of the spine.
What are good scoliosis jobs?
Need inspiration? Here are 8 jobs for people with scoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis and other spinal disorders:Teacher.Self-employed. ... Exercise instructor. ... Sales agent. ... Reseller. ... Mindfulness coach. ... Administrative assistant. ... Project manager.
What is considered severe scoliosis?
In general, a curve is considered significant if it is greater than 25 to 30 degrees. Curves exceeding 45 to 50 degrees are considered severe and often require more aggressive treatment.
Does scoliosis make you tired?
The symptoms of scoliosis vary greatly from patient to patient and are very condition-specific, but some signs to look for are postural changes and fatigue. Scoliosis is a progressive condition, meaning it's virtually guaranteed to get worse over time.
Will scoliosis get worse with age?
Scoliosis is a progressive condition – it does tend to get worse as you age. However, scoliosis is somewhat unusual in that it does not have what we might call a “predictable trajectory” – this is to say that you cannot simply assume that after X years, scoliosis will have increased by X degrees.
What is the most approved disability?
1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.
Is it hard to get disability for back problems?
Back problems are one of the most common reasons people apply for Social Security disability benefits. However, getting approved for disability due to back pain is difficult because most back pain claims are based largely on pain.
How much disability will I get for back pain?
What is the average VA disability rating for back pain? VA disability ratings for back pain can range from 10% to 100%, depending on the severity of the pain, the range of motion the veteran is left with, and the frequency of the pain.
How The SSA Determines If Your Scoliosis Is Disabling
People with scoliosis generally have a tough time getting approved for Social Security disability, unless their condition is combined with other ph...
How Scoliosis Can Be Disabling
Often people suffering from scoliosis, or past corrective spinal surgery associated with scoliosis, have pain that’s caused by sitting or standing...
Medical Evidence to Prove Your Scoliosis Is A Disability
The SSA will consider the medical records it gets from your treating orthopedic doctor. In particular, the SSA looks at restrictions your doctor pl...
Applying For Disability Benefits For Scoliosis
Call the SSA at 800-772-1213 to set up an appointment to submit an application through your local SSA office. Once you have submitted all necessary...
If Your Social Security Application Is Denied
Most people who apply for disability based on scoliosis alone (especially those under 55 with less than severe cases of scoliosis) are initially de...
What is scoliosis curvature?
Scoliosis is not a disease, but a curvature of the spine that could vary from mild to severe. Usually, a diagnosis means the spine has an abnormal curvature that extends more than 10 degrees laterally from a frontal view. There are four main kinds of scoliosis that can be diagnosed: 1 Idiopathic – this is the most common form, and it is believed to be hereditary. 2 Cognenital – a curvature that is present at birth. 3 Degenerative – this can result after a bone collapse following osteoporosis or a traumatic injury. It can also develop after major back surgeries. 4 Neuromuscular – This stems from muscle or nerve abnormalities, and can accompany spina bifida and other conditions that impact the neuromuscular junction.
What is the most common form of scoliosis?
There are four main kinds of scoliosis that can be diagnosed: Idiopathic – this is the most common form, and it is believed to be hereditary. Cognenital – a curvature that is present at birth.
Why is my spine so slow?
The curvature of the spine can also cause additional pressure on the nerves, causing functioning that is slower. Sometimes the condition does not progress beyond the initial curving. Most often, scoliosis occurs and is diagnosed as a child is in his or her growth spurt before he or she hits puberty.
Why does the SSA order a mental evaluation?
Sometimes the SSA orders a mental evaluation as well because they understand anxiety and depression caused by a disorder can also impact your ability to work. Again this is not for treatment but for information in helping Disability Determination Services make a decision regarding your claim.
Can scoliosis be considered a disability?
Medically Qualifying for Disability with Scoliosis. If scoliosis has rendered you disabled, you may be eligible for SSDI benefit based on the Blue Book listing 1.04, which is Disorders of the Spine. In order to qualify under this listing, you have to demonstrate the following symptoms in order to qualify for disability benefits:
Does scoliosis affect the spine?
During the screening process, doctors look for uneven hips and differences in arm or leg lengths. Scoliosis may not have a negative impact on many people, but there are some people who are severely impacted by the spine curvature.
Does the SSA pay for disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) plan that will pay monthly benefits to those who are disabled if they have worked enough to earn sufficient credits and paid in enough taxes to the SSA. The individual must either meet the requirements set forth in the SSA medical guide or be able ...
What are the limitations of scoliosis?
With scoliosis, your biggest limitations will most likely be physical activities. You will suffer difficulty in sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and carrying heavy items. If these limitations are found to be serious enough to keep you from working any kind of a job, you may be awarded benefits.
How many cases of scoliosis are there in the US every year?
Scoliosis disability is not an uncommon back problem in America. More than 3 million cases are reported in the US every year. While most cases are not very severe, others can cause heart and breathing problems.
What is the RFP test for scoliosis?
If you apply for disability benefits for scoliosis on the grounds that you are unable to work, the SSA will asses your ability to return to work using a residual functional capacity (RFP) test. This test will measure your physical, mental, and sensory limitations. With scoliosis, your biggest limitations will most likely be physical activities.
What do I need to get disability?
To get approved for disability benefits, you’ll need either an X-ray, MRI, or CAT scan showing the severity of your condition, as well as a doctor’s physical examination noting your limitations and records that shows therapy isn’t making your condition better.
Is scoliosis a disability?
If you are wondering whether scoliosis is a disability, the answer is YES! It is a disability, and you can get disability benefits for it.
Can scoliosis be a spine disorder?
While scoliosis isn’t technically listed in the blue book, the SSA acknowledges that it can cause serious enough spine injuries, and you can qualify under spin e disorders. Likewise, if your scoliosis causes trouble breathing or heart conditions, you might qualify under cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
What is degenerative scoliosis?
Degenerative scoliosis: degenerative scoliosis is caused by degenerative changes to the spine, mainly in the discs that separate the vertebrae of the spine. Traumatic scoliosis: traumatic scoliosis, as the name suggests, is scoliosis that develops due to a trauma experienced by the spine. We’ve discussed the main forms that scoliosis can take so ...
Why did I write Scoliosis Hope?
This is, in part, why I wrote Scoliosis Hope: to change the narrative surrounding peoples’ scoliosis story. Having scoliosis isn’t a life sentence of limitation and pain, at least it doesn’t have to be.
What is the Cobb angle of scoliosis?
In order to be diagnosed as scoliosis, a person’s spine has to curve abnormally to the side, coincide with rotation, and have a Cobb angle measurement of 10+ degrees. To put things in perspective in terms of ...
How long does scoliosis last?
It would have to prevent you from doing the work you did before. It would have to prevent you from doing other similar work. Your scoliosis has lasted a year, or is expected to last a year, or result in death.
What is the SSA disability?
The United States Social Services Administration (SSA) has a strict set of criteria that need to be met in order to collect Disability payments.
When does scoliosis develop?
Scoliosis can develop at any age, but it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 18. This is the condition’s most common form and accounts for a staggering 80 percent of diagnosed cases: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
What is the condition that is present at birth and is caused by a malformed vertebra in the spine?
The remaining 20 percent have known causes and are classed as congenital, neuromuscular, degenerative, or traumatic. Congenital scoliosis: this form of the condition is present at birth and is caused by a malformed vertebra in the spine. Neuromuscular scoliosis: this form of the condition is a secondary complication of a disease or condition ...
What Is Scoliosis?
A person with Scoliosis does not have a straight spinal cord; instead, it becomes curved like S or C. This disease can be present right from birth or in adulthood because of collapsing of bone due to osteoporosis or traumatic injury and various others.
Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits If I Am A Scoliosis Patient?
Two programs help people with disabilities by providing income or providing a source of income for those unable to work because of a specific disease. They are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.
Can I Get Disability For Scoliosis?
The Social security Administration of the United States has created a guide called Bluebook which lists various diseases with specific medical criteria. If one individual suffers from such ailment and meets the SSA requirements, he can get disability benefits.
Can I Get Disability For Mild Scoliosis?
No, you cannot receive disability benefits when you suffer from mild Scoliosis. Most people with mild Scoliosis (curvature less than 10 degrees) can do almost all the work like normal people.
Scoliosis And Other Disabilities
Scoliosis sometimes interferes with other body organs on your body. When the curvature of the spinal cord becomes more than 100 degrees, it compresses the heart or lungs, which may lead to cardiovascular issues, or you may face trouble at the time of breathing.
Medical Evidence Of Scoliosis
While applying for disability benefits in the Social Security Administration of the United States, You have to provide the medical evidence properly; otherwise, the examiner will reject the form. Once you are diagnosed with Scoliosis, you need to frequently visit the doctor to check the spinal cord’s curvature.
Scoliosis And Residual Functional Capacity
If a Scoliosis patient does not meet any of the requirements produced by the SSA listing, you can also get the disability benefits of Scoliosis. But you have to show the SSA that Scoliosis is profoundly impacting your work life.
What is the evidence of scoliosis?
Appropriate medical evidence of scoliosis may include: Physical exam and diagnosis. X-Ray. MRI. Medical evidence should also include any treatment you have received or are currently receiving to either maintain or correct the curve. This may include evidence of: Bracing. Physical therapy or massage. Chiropractic care.
How long does scoliosis last?
In addition to proving that you have scoliosis, you must also prove that your scoliosis: Has lasted, or is expected to last, 12 months or longer;
Why does scoliosis curve?
It can be present at birth (congenital), develop during adolescence (the most common), be caused by bone collapse due to osteoporosis, traumatic injury, or back surgery, or neuromuscular (the result of nerve or muscle abnormalities, such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy). Scoliosis causes an S- or C-shaped curve in the spine ...
Can you get SSD if you have scoliosis?
To qualify for SSD benefits due to scoliosis based on the diagnosis alone, the severity of your curve and the accompanying symptoms must be so severe that it meets the criteria of a Spinal Disorder in the SSA Blue Book.
Can scoliosis be a disability?
The answer is yes and no. Typically, scoliosis by itself isn’t debilitating enough to interfere with your ability to work. Therefore, to qualify for social security disability (SSD) benefits due to scoliosis, it must either be so severe that it meets the requirements of another disability included in the Blue Book, ...
Can scoliosis cause problems?
Scoliosis and other disabilities. In some cases, scoliosis can interfere with other body systems. For example, the location and severity of the curve may compress the heart and/or lungs, leading to cardiovascular issues or trouble breathing.
Do you have to provide medical evidence for scoliosis?
Medical evidence of scoliosis. As part of your scoliosis disability claim, you must provide the SSA with medical evidence . Scoliosis is frequently diagnosed during routine office exams, with doctors making referrals to specialists if the curvature seems severe or begins to worsen.
