When you are injured and your injury is listed under one of the qualifying conditions for Social Security Disability (SSDI), you may find it easier to file an SSDI claim and win. However, if you suffer a neck injury, you might wonder if you will qualify for SSDI benefits. Even though your condition would not be a qualifying condition, a disability attorney may still be able to help you qualify.

Neck Pain and Your Claim

You may suffer from tingling of the neck, aches, pain, and stiffness. However, to receive SSDI benefits, you must prove that the neck pain prevents you from obtaining a substantial income. One of the easiest ways to provide this is to connect your injury to one of the qualifying conditions.

Qualifying Conditions

While neck pain, in general, is not a qualifying condition, it is often connected to other conditions that are considered qualifying conditions. For example, if you are suffering from spinal root compression, you might be qualified to receive SSDI benefits because this condition is often associated with neck pain.

Even if you are not able to prove that your symptoms are connected to a qualifying condition, the SSA might allow you to receive benefits if you are able to prove that you are not able to return to work because your pain is severe enough. 

Evidence That Supports Your Claim

Your disability attorney will need to help you gather the evidence necessary to prove that you are so badly injured that you are not able to work. This will require you to make multiple trips to your doctor and to specialists to gather evidence that you are not able to work.

For example, if you try to move your arms, your neck pain might be too severe for you to be able to perform your job. If you turn your head, this action might cause neck pain that is too severe. You might lose coordination due to your neck pain and this might cause you to drop objects. You might also be unable to hold your head in a position that allows you to stare at a screen.

Even if you are not able to work your current job, the SSA might argue that you can train for a different job. However, your disability attorney may help you argue that this isn't possible given your age, experience, or level of education. Then, you may qualify for SSDI benefits.

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