Degenerative disc disease can take a serious toll on your ability to work, your finances, and your quality of life. If your musculoskeletal condition has progressed to the point where holding a job is no longer realistic, Social Security Disability benefits could provide the financial support you need. However, the claims process is demanding, and Social Security’s standards are strict.
At Wambach Disability Law, we help DDD claimants pursue the benefits they’ve earned. From our office in Evansville, Indiana, our experienced disability lawyer provides representation to clients across the country. Contact our law firm today to arrange a free consultation and talk through your options.
The discs in your spine act as cushions between the vertebrae. In a healthy spine, they absorb shock and allow you to bend, twist, and move comfortably. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs when those discs break down over time. The result can be chronic pain, stiffness, and a range of neurological symptoms that make even routine daily activities difficult.
DDD most commonly affects the cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (lower back), though it can develop anywhere along the vertebral column. As discs deteriorate, they can bulge or herniate, which puts pressure on nearby nerve roots and can cause radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. For some people, these symptoms are manageable with treatment. For others, DDD can progress to the point where it prevents them from holding a job or maintaining a normal quality of life.
If your condition has reached that level of severity, you could be entitled to Social Security Disability (SSA) benefits. An Evansville disability lawyer can review your situation and assess your eligibility.
Yes, you can qualify for SSD benefits with degenerative disc disease, but the SSA won’t approve your claim based on a diagnosis alone. What matters is how your condition affects your ability to work.
The SSA’s Blue Book lists specific eligibility criteria for spinal disorders that result in nerve root compromise, which includes DDD. Per these criteria, your medical record must document:
Few DDD claimants meet all of these Blue Book criteria perfectly. The good news is that it’s still possible to qualify for benefits even if you don’t. A DDD claim can succeed after an SSA review of your functional limitations, combined with factors like your age, education, and work history. If the SSA determines that your functional limitations prevent you from performing substantial work, it may approve your claim. An experienced disability attorney can help you understand the most likely path to approval and help you prepare your claim accordingly.
The SSA requires objective documentation from acceptable medical sources. It won’t accept personal descriptions of pain or limitation as a substitute for clinical findings. A strong DDD claim typically includes several key types of evidence, such as:
If your condition doesn’t match Blue Book criteria exactly, the SSA will assess how your condition limits your ability to function in a work environment. This assessment, known as a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment, looks at what you can and can’t do physically on a sustained basis.
For DDD claimants, relevant limitations often include:
Your treating physician’s opinion carries significant weight in the context of an RFC assessment. Detailed notes from your doctor about how your symptoms affect your daily functioning can give the SSA a clearer picture of your disability than your diagnosis and test results alone. That kind of thorough documentation is exactly what a good disability attorney can help you build.
Degenerative disc disease claims can get denied for a number of reasons. Here are some of the most common factors our lawyer sees that result in denials for DDD claims in Evansville, Indiana:
It’s worth noting that a denial doesn’t have to mean the end of your claim. The SSA has an appeals process that gives you multiple opportunities to challenge unfavorable decisions. Claimants who work with disability lawyers during the appeals process succeed at significantly higher rates than those who go it alone. The right attorney can review your case, pinpoint anything that went wrong, and prepare a stronger case to present to the SSA on appeal.
Successful degenerative disc disease claims don’t happen by accident. They require comprehensive medical evidence and documentation presented in a way that aligns with the SSA’s specific expectations. Disability attorney Joe Wambach of Wambach Disability Law in Evansville knows how to meet those expectations, and he’s spent over a decade proving it.
Joe has handled more than a thousand disability hearings over the course of his career and has a deep familiarity with how the SSA evaluates spinal disorders and other disabilities. He puts that experience to work for every client he represents and stays personally involved from the first consultation through the final decision. When you contact our law firm for help, you talk to Joe directly. Not a receptionist, paralegal, or case manager who doesn’t know your name or how to answer your questions.
Our law firm operates on a contingency basis, which means you don’t have to worry about paying any upfront costs or out-of-pocket attorney fees to get the help you need. If Joe wins your case, his fee simply comes from a percentage of any back pay you receive from the SSA. Whether you’re filing an initial application, responding to a denial, or preparing for a hearing, Wambach Disability Law is here to provide the affordable, personal support you deserve.
If you’re feeling uncertain or frustrated by the SSD claims process, you deserve help from a lawyer who will take your case seriously. Joe Wambach represents claimants nationwide from our law office in Evansville, Indiana, and he brings over a decade of disability law experience to every case he handles. When you’re ready to talk, Joe will be ready to listen. Reach out to Wambach Disability Law today to get started with your free initial consultation.
