One of the most devastating conditions you can have is a back injury that results in a herniated or collapsed disc. As part of your treatment you might often only have to undergo a back fusion where your discs are fused.

Back fusions can improve your condition and help with back pain but, unfortunately, can possibly make you condition worse.

At Cavey and Barrett, we represent individuals who suffer from chronic back pain or have undergone surgery including back fusions.

If you are unable to work as a result of a herniated disc or your doctor has told you that you need a back fusion, you should immediately apply for disability. However, be prepared to be denied because 70% of all claims are turned down at the initial application stage.

When you get turned down for you back fusion in a Social Security Disability claim you should immediately appeal the disability denial. Many people who are denied Social Security Disability benefits for back fusions at the initial claims level or reconsideration level are later approved at the disability hearing level when they get to present their case to the administrative law judge.

If your claim for Social Security Disability benefits as a result of back fusion has been denied contact Social Security Disability expert, Sharon Barrett who can assist you with winning your Social Security Disability claim.

If you would like more information about your rights regarding Social Security Disability Benefits, you can order our FREE book,"Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits" by submitting the form in the sidebar. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Social Security Disability Benefits, visit our law firm web site at CaveyLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 897-9117 or simply submit our contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Posted March 02nd 2010 to Social Security Benefts for Musculoskeletal and Spine | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

Spinal Stenosis involves the narrowing of lumbar or cervical spine which causes a painful compression of the nerve roots.

Symptoms include back pain that spreads to the legs, difficulty, imbalance or weakness when walking, leg and neck pain and numbness and pain in the buttocks, thighs or calves that worsens with standing, walking.

Spinal stenosis affects middle age to elderly people and can be caused by osteoarthritis, Paget’s disease or my an injury that causes pressure on the nerve roots or the spinal cord.

You may entitled to Social Security Disability benefits as a result of Spinal Stenosis for more information about your rights to Social Security Disability benefits or for your free no obligation guide to “Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits,” call 727-894-3188 or visit our website at www.caveylaw.com.

Posted November 24th 2009 to Social Security Benefts for Musculoskeletal and Spine | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

The Social Security Administration has acknowledged that fibromyalgia is not diagnosed based on gold standard objective testing like MRI’s or  x-rays. The American College of Rheumatology has created a standard for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia which is, in part, based on subjective response you make while being examined.

An administrative law judge cannot reject the treating physician’s opinion regarding work-related limitations based on the absence of objective evidence.

However, I always like to have the treating physician and my client on the same page about your physical activities and restictions and limitations. I use a fibromyalgia residual functional disability form. Contact Nancy Cavey, a St. Petersburg Social Security disability attorney for a copy of the fibromyalgia residual functional disability form.

Posted July 27th 2008 to Social Security Benefits for Fibromyalgia,Social Security Benefts for Musculoskeletal and Spine | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

Rheumatoid arthritis is another systemic disease that does not have its own distinct listing for Social Security Disability purposes.

Rheumatoid arthritis has three stages, as explained at the Arthritis Foundation. An informative article can be found here.

This form of arthritis causes inflammation of the lining of your joints called synovium. This inflammation causes pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling. As the disease progresses enzymes are releases by the synovium that digest bone and cartilage.

This will cause the involved joint to lose its shape which causes bony deformity. It will also result in a misalignment of  the joint, joint pain, and loss of range of motion.

We often see rheumatoid arthritis involve the joints of the hands, wrists, feet, knees, and ankles. As I explained in earlier postings, it is important to establish the objective evidence of this condition since it often waxes and wanes. There will be times when you have few symptoms and little disability. As the disease continues, you will  have increasing symptoms and significant disability.

Keep a record about how your pain and limited mobility interfere with your ability to function. It will be important for you to present this information to the Social Security administration.

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation of your internal organs causing permanent damage. This can also be the basis of your Social Security Disability claim.

Developing the right information about you rheumatoid arthritis is crucial to winning your Social Security Disability claim. If you suffer from these impairments and need to file for benefits it is best to enlist the help on an experienced Social Security Disability attorney such as Nancy Cavey or Sharon Barrett.

Posted May 10th 2008 to Listing of Impairments,Social Security Benefts for Musculoskeletal and Spine | Comments (1)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post

According to the Arthritis Foundation website, arthritis is the most common cause of disability.

There are over 100 kinds of arthritis and you would think there would be a listing for arthritis. You would be wrong!

Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint, like your hip, knee, wrists, or even fingers. It can present with redness, puffiness, or swelling and pain. A great site to learn about arthritis is nih.gov

The medline article explains the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of arthritic conditions.

Since there is no listing per se, a Social Security Disability applicant will have meet 1.02 Major dysfunction of a joint (due to any cause). There must be gross anatomical deformity with chronic joint pain and stiffness with limitation of motion. There must be findings on tests like x-rays that show joint narrowing, bony destruction or fusion of the joint.

If the arthritic condition involves the hip, knee, or ankle, you must have significant difficulty walking.

If the arthritic condition involves your shoulder, elbow or wrist/hand, you must be unable to perform fine or gross movements with your hands.

More likely, the key to winning a case with an arthritic condition is having your doctor file out a residual functional disability form documenting your physical limitations with walking and use of your hands or upper extremities. Don’t forget to explain your pain and any side effects of your medication.

For more information on Listing 1.00, click here. You should also visit arthritis.org

Consult experienced Tampa Bay area Social Security Disability lawyers Nancy Cavey or Sharon Barrett to learn more about your rights to social security benefits if you suffer from arthritis. They can be contacted by clicking here or by calling 727-897-9117.

Posted May 05th 2008 to Listing of Impairments,Social Security Benefts for Musculoskeletal and Spine | Comments (0)| Permalink | Trackback |  Print This Post |  Email This Post