If you suffer from a bone, joint, or spine disorder or any other musculoskeletal disorder, then you know how painful such a condition can be and how much it can interfere with your ability to work and live your life. Is it possible to get Social Security disability benefits for a musculoskeletal disorder?

Yes, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does consider some musculoskeletal disorders as a basis for a valid Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim. However, the application process is complicated, eligibility depends on several factors the average person is unaware of, and there are many challenges on the way to a successful Social Security disability benefits claim.

If you’re applying for Social Security disability benefits for musculoskeletal disorders in Morristown, Tennessee, our experienced local SSDI attorneys are ready to help. The Terry Law Firm has been helping people in Morristown with their legal matters since 1960. We have the experience and knowledge of the Social Security Disability Insurance process needed to help you avoid errors in your application and improve your chances of approval. We are also ready to help if your initial application has been denied. An initial denial is not unusual, and many claimants go on to recover benefits through the review and appeals process.

Contact The Terry Law Firm today for a free consultation about applying for SSDI for musculoskeletal disorders in Morristown, Tennessee.

Reasons to Work with Our Morristown SSDI Lawyers

At The Terry Law Firm, we are known as the firm that stands up for justice, integrity, and accountability. That’s why we help disabled individuals through every stage of the SSDI process, from filling out the forms needed to file your claim to gathering the necessary evidence to support it to appealing an initial denial.

Our law firm combines big-city know-how and resources with the type of personalized client service only a small-town firm can deliver.

To find out more about what it is like to work with us, check out our positive testimonials from previous clients. For example, our client M.S. wrote, “The Terry Law Firm relentlessly attended to the legal details of my case & attained the positive outcome I desired.” If you want a law firm that will be with you every step of the way, The Terry Law Firm is for you.

What Are Musculoskeletal Disorders and How Are They Disabling?

What is a musculoskeletal disorder, and why are musculoskeletal disorders disabling? A musculoskeletal system disorder or MSD is a medical condition affecting the muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues.

MSDs can cause considerable pain as well as a reduction in range of movement. Many people find that they can no longer work due to the pain and difficulty of moving with a musculoskeletal disorder.

Some examples of musculoskeletal disorders include:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Spondyloarthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Gout
  • Sarcopenia
  • Myositis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Scleroderma
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia

Some common musculoskeletal disorder symptoms include:

  • Numbness
  • Weakness
  • Aches and pains
  • Fatigue
  • Tenderness
  • Discomfort

To make you eligible for Social Security disability benefits, your musculoskeletal disorder symptoms must be so severe that you are unable to work at your old job or adjust to a new job, and the symptoms must be expected to continue for at least a year or end in death.

Eligibility for SSDI Due to a Musculoskeletal Disorder

According to the Social Security Administration, you must meet five conditions to qualify for SSDI:

  • You must not be working, or if you are working part-time, you must earn less than $1,550 a month as of 2024.
  • Your condition must place significant limitations on your ability to perform work-related activities for at least 12 months.
  • Your condition must be found in the Social Security Administration’s List of Impairments or be as severe as the listed impairments.
  • You must be unable to do the work you did previously.
  • You must be unable to do some other type of work.

Many musculoskeletal system disorders can meet this list of five eligibility conditions. What musculoskeletal disorders qualify for disability? The Social Security Administration lists many musculoskeletal disorders in its List of Impairments, including:

  • Disorders of the skeletal spine
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis
  • Abnormality of major joints
  • Paraplegia or quadriplegia
  • Inflammatory arthritis
  • Spinal curvatures
  • Pathologic fractures
  • Amputation
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Complex fractures

SSDI can cover many different musculoskeletal disorders. The challenge often is proving that you meet the other eligibility criteria.

Challenges in Getting SSDI for Musculoskeletal System Disorders

The main challenge to getting your benefits approved for a musculoskeletal disorder is the difficulty of proving that the disorder makes it impossible for you to work. The Social Security Administration will demand extensive evidence, such as:

  • Medical records and other medical evidence
  • Medical tests such as an MRI or a CT scan
  • Clear statements by your doctor about how the disorder affects your ability to work
  • A consistent history of medical treatment

If there are any inconsistencies in your medical history, such as gaps in treatment or conflicting medical opinions, the SSA may deny your claim. If you make any mistakes in filling out your initial application, the SSA may delay or deny your claim.

If the SSA initially denies your Social Security Disability claim, which happens more often than not, you can file an appeal by submitting a request for reconsideration. You can have a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ), who will decide whether your claim should have been approved.

If the ALJ upholds the denial of your claim, you can request a review of the judge’s decision. If the Appeals Council denies your appeal, your lawyer can take your case to District Court, where a federal judge will ultimately decide your case.

At every step in this process, having the assistance of a Social Security Disability lawyer is the best way to improve your chances of securing the SSDI benefits you need.

How Our Morristown SSDI Lawyers Can Help You

Most Social Security benefits claims are initially denied, so don’t lose hope if it happens to you. You still have several opportunities to be approved on appeal. However, your chances of filing a successful initial claim are higher with the help of an experienced lawyer, as are your chances of success in the appeals process.

Our skilled Social Security Disability attorney can help you assemble your application correctly the first time, with extensive evidence to support your claim. Our experienced SSDI lawyers can also help you file an appeal if that turns out to be necessary. Our attorneys will be fully prepared to advocate for your best interests at hearings and in court, if necessary.

The Terry Law Firm has decades of experience helping people like you seek the disability benefits they need. If you have a musculoskeletal disorder that interferes with your ability to work, don’t leave your disability benefits up to chance. Contact The Terry Law Firm for a free case review today.