Do you have back pain that is severe enough that it is preventing you from working? Perhaps you have tried to work but find it impossible. You may have even taken a leave of absence from your job or gotten fired due to not being able to work full shifts. This is something that many people experience, and some mistakenly think that they cannot receive social security benefits for back pain. You may be wondering if it is worth your time to apply for disability. If your back pain is debilitating and interfering with your ability to work and perform your day-to-day activities, it would be wise to apply for social security disability as soon as possible. This is because many claims are denied the first time they are submitted. Claimants then have the opportunity to appeal the decision. The following points will help you understand things that you can do to help your case.

Proof of Treatments

The Social Security Administration closely reviews cases. Unfortunately, sometimes their determinations result in denials for individuals who have exhausted all relief options. This is why you need to ensure that you have documentation of the treatments and tests you have been given that prove you have back pain. Simply stating you have back pain without sufficient evidence will not be enough. MRIs are an example of tests that might be administered to show what may be attributing to back pain. Spinal injections and various pain medications are examples of treatments that may prove severe back issues. Interventions such as back surgery may serve as additional proof.

Proof of Severity

Documentation of missed work or dismissal from employment can be presented as proof of severity along with your medical documentation. Some people may have proof of various types of jobs that they have tried to perform but could not due to their back issues. Severe back problems may interfere with an individual's ability to even perform light-duty work.

Additional Impairments

Perhaps you have additional impairments. Even though they may not be a part of your initial claim, it is a good idea to ensure that the SSA is aware of the additional health issues you have because it could impact their decision on your case. 

A social security disability attorney is a good resource to use if your claim is denied. They can explain the appeals process. They can also offer you additional insight on things that you should do to improve the odds of you claim getting approved. They may also be able to establish additional proof of your disability based on your medical records.