Can I Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits with Cervical Radiculopathy?

If you have been diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy and are unable to work, you may be considering applying for social security disability benefits. My name is Caitlin Wildoner and I'm an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better. Today we're going to talk about social security benefits for cervical radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy occurs when nerve roots at the cervical vertebrae are compressed, which can cause pain and loss of sensation in your upper body, which might extend to the rest of your back, your shoulders, your arms, and or your hands. While cervical radiculopathy sometimes happens as you age, it can also happen due to trauma. For example, after a serious car accident. You might qualify for social security benefits based on cervical radiculopathy a couple of different ways. The first way is by meeting a listing. Listing 1.15 states that you can be found disabled if there is medical documentation of radicular distribution of pain, paresthesia, or muscle fatigue that is consistent with the compromise of the affected nerve roots. In addition, you must also have a radicular distribution of neurological signs present during a physical exam or on a diagnostic test, such as muscle weakness, signs of nerve root irritation, tension, or compression, and either sensory changes or decreased deep tendon reflexes. Additionally, you must have imaging findings that are consistent with the compromise of a nerve root in the cervical spine and impairment-related physical limitation of your musculoskeletal functioning that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. Additionally, you need medical documentation of at least one of the following. Number one, a documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches, or a wheeled and seated mobility device that involves the use of both of your hands. Number two, an inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities that involve fine and gross motor movements, and a documented medical need for a one-handed handheld assistive device that requires the use of the other upper extremity, or a wheeled and seated mobility device that involves the use of one hand. Third, an inability to use both of your upper extremities to the extent that neither can be independently to initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross motor movements. Thank you for watching. If you're disabled and unable to work, click the scheduling link below or call us directly for a free consultation where we discuss your case and see what I can do to help you.