Spinal Arachnoiditis

Definition

Spinal arachnoiditis is a condition when one of the layers of tissue called the arachnoid level which surrounds the spinal cord becomes thicker than normal and presses against nerves or the spinal column. Arachnoiditis can result in period burning pain and numbness. It can also cause bladder or bowel incontinence.

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Spinal arachnoiditis can be proven for SSA purposes by a pathology report or operative note diagnosing the condition. A related symptom is severe burning or pain which requires the claimant to change his position more than once every two hours.

Arachnoiditis is sometimes used as a diagnosis when such a diagnosis is unsupported by clinical or laboratory findings. Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that the diagnosis is documented as described in 1.04B. Individuals with arachnoiditis, particularly when it involves the lumbosacral spine, are generally unable to sustain any given position or posture for more than a short period of time.

Social Security Benefits

Back problems cause intense pain that can lead to chronic fatigue, emotional and mental problems, as well as paralysis. These symptoms can prevent you from working. Medications for pain have serious side effects that can cause difficulty in staying awake or in concentration. Surgeries are expensive, and do not always guarantee that the pain will go away. There are also huge risks involved with back surgery. Make sure you have all the information before making any decisions about medication or surgery. For information about back injuries such as herniated discs, lower back pain or stenosis, see Institute for Spinal Disorders at http://www.csmc.edu/533.cfm.

Social Security Process

Social Security evaluates each person's claim for benefits using the following five steps:

1. Are you working?
   If you are working in 2006 and your earnings average more than $860 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. If your back injury prevents you from working, we go to Step 2.

2. Is your condition "severe"?
   Your back injury interferes with basic work-related activities, you claim will be considered. If it does not, we will find that you are not disabled. If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, we go to Step 3.

3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?
   For each of the major body systems, we maintain a list of medical conditions that are so severe they automatically mean that you are disabled. Some back conditions that appear on this list are stenosis, degenerative disc disease, lumbar back pain with positive straight leg raising tests, and nerve root compression. If your back condition is not on the list, we have to decide if it is of equal severity to a medical condition that is on the list. If it is, we will find that you are disabled. If it is not, we then go to Step 4.

4. Can you do the work you did previously?
   If your condition is severe but not at the same or equal level of severity as a medical condition on the list, then we must determine if the back pain interferes with your ability to do the work you did previously. If it does not, your claim will be denied. If it does, we proceed to Step 5.

5. Can you do any other type of work?
   If you cannot do the work you did in the past, we see if you are able to adjust to other work. We consider your medical conditions and your age, education, past work experience and any transferable skills you may have. If you cannot adjust to other work, your claim will be approved. If you can adjust to other work, your claim will be denied.

Contact us for more information about spinal arachnoiditis claims for Social Security disability benefits under SSDI or SSI.