Degenerative Disc Disease

For aging individuals, degenerative disc disease is a common occurrence. As the aging process continues, normal wear and tear weakens the spinal discs. A certain amount of bone, joint, and cartilage degeneration is expected as a side effect of aging. The combination of these factors leads to a breakdown of the spinal discs, causing a myriad of problems for men and women who are diagnosed.

Disabling Effects of Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease most often occurs when we age and is recognized on the Social Security Administration’s list of impairments that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. This disorder affects the intervertebral discs in your back. These discs are like cushions in between the vertebrae in the spine, supporting your weight and providing stability and smooth movement. When these discs start to break down and lose their flexibility, it can result in pain, stiffness, numbness, and even loss of bladder control.

Effects of degenerative disc disease include:

  • Leg pain
  • Numbness or tingling in the legs
  • Weakness in the legs
  • Lower back pain
  • Pain while twisting or reaching
  • Exacerbated pain when sitting or standing for long periods

Although rare, degenerative disc disease can occur in young individuals in their 20s or 30s.Some patients eventually face chronic pain, where even the smallest daily tasks of living become difficult. The areas of the back most affected are the top of the spine or neck and the base of the spine (lower lumbar).

Hiring an Attorney to Prove Degenerative Disc Disease Disability

If you or someone in your family was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, hiring an SSD lawyer to help you apply for benefits can have many advantages. Your attorney will work with you to liaison between your doctors and the decision makers at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Your personal legal team can help you gather the crucial paperwork that will help the SSA move your case along, and provide inside tips and information you’ll need to get your benefits fast.

To get started with your disability benefits application, find an SSD attorney near you.