Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It affects workers in every industry, from construction and nursing to warehouse jobs and office work.
In Charlotte, we regularly speak with people who have tried everything to keep working. They may push through pain for months or years, hoping it will improve. But over time, back problems can become unbearable. Standing, walking, lifting, sitting, or even sleeping can turn into a daily struggle.
When back pain makes work impossible, many people ask an important question:
Can you get Social Security Disability for back pain or degenerative disc disease?
The answer is yes, but the process is not simple. Social Security does not approve claims based only on pain. The agency requires strong medical evidence and clear proof that your back condition prevents full-time work.
This article explains how back pain disability claims work in North Carolina, why so many are denied, and what you can do to improve your chances.
What Counts as Chronic Back Pain?
Back pain becomes “chronic” when it lasts longer than three months. Chronic back pain may come from many causes, including injuries, spinal degeneration, arthritis, nerve damage, or disc problems.
Some people experience constant pain. Others have flare-ups that come and go. Either way, chronic back pain can limit basic movement and make it hard to perform everyday activities.
Back pain is not always visible on the outside, but its impact can be life-changing.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease is a condition where the discs in the spine wear down over time. These discs act like cushions between the bones of the spine.
As discs deteriorate, they can cause:
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Pain in the lower back or neck
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Limited range of motion
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Weakness in the legs or arms
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Numbness or tingling
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Difficulty standing or walking
Degenerative disc disease is common, especially as people age. But severe cases can prevent someone from working reliably.
In Charlotte, many disability applicants have jobs that require lifting, bending, or standing for long periods. Degenerative disc disease can make these tasks impossible.
Is Back Pain a Disability Under Social Security Rules?
Social Security recognizes spinal disorders as potentially disabling. However, back pain claims are among the most commonly denied because pain is difficult to measure.
Social Security does not approve disability benefits just because someone says they hurt. Instead, Social Security looks for medical evidence showing that the condition causes serious functional limitations.
Back pain can qualify, but the claim must demonstrate that the pain and related symptoms prevent full-time work.
How Social Security Evaluates Back Pain Claims
Social Security evaluates back pain and degenerative disc disease in two main ways:
First, the agency checks whether the condition meets a listing in the Social Security Blue Book. Spinal disorders may qualify under listings related to disorders of the spine, nerve root compression, or spinal stenosis.
However, most back pain cases do not meet a listing exactly. That does not mean you cannot qualify.
When a listing is not met, Social Security uses a second approach: assessing your residual functional capacity.
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) and Back Pain
Residual functional capacity, or RFC, is Social Security’s way of measuring what you can still do despite your condition.
For back pain claims, Social Security considers limitations such as:
How long you can stand before needing to sit
How long you can sit before needing to change position
Whether you can lift even light objects
Whether bending or twisting is possible
Whether pain affects concentration or pace
Whether you need frequent breaks
The key question is not whether you have back pain. The question is whether you can work consistently, day after day, in a full-time job.
Many people with severe back pain cannot.
Why Back Pain Claims Are Denied So Often
Back pain is real, but Social Security often denies these claims because of how the evidence is presented.
One major issue is that imaging results do not always match symptoms. Someone can have severe pain even if an MRI looks “mild.” Social Security may rely too heavily on imaging and underestimate the impact of pain.
Another problem is that many people continue working through pain until they cannot anymore. Social Security sometimes interprets this as proof that the condition is not disabling.
Claims are also denied when treatment records do not clearly describe limitations, such as difficulty standing, walking, or maintaining attendance.
Back pain disability claims require detailed documentation and ideally, representation by an experienced local disability lawyer with success arguing these claims.
Medical Evidence That Strengthens Back Pain Disability Cases
Strong medical evidence is essential. Social Security looks for consistent treatment and objective findings.
Important evidence often includes:
- Doctor visits showing ongoing pain complaints
- MRI or X-ray results showing disc degeneration or stenosis
- Physical therapy records
- Pain management treatment notes
- Medication history and side effects
- Specialist evaluations from orthopedists or neurologists
Social Security also values documentation of functional limitations, such as reduced mobility or inability to lift.
The strongest cases show a clear pattern: the condition persists despite treatment and prevents sustained work.
Symptoms Beyond Pain That Matter in Disability Claims
Back pain often comes with other serious symptoms that Social Security considers.
For example, nerve compression may cause sciatica, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs. Spinal stenosis may make walking difficult. Severe pain may also lead to fatigue, sleep problems, or depression.
Social Security must consider the full impact of symptoms, not just the diagnosis.
If back pain affects balance, concentration, or stamina, those limitations should be clearly documented.
Work History and Back Pain Disability in Charlotte
Work history plays a major role in disability decisions.
Social Security looks at what kind of work you performed in the past 15 years and whether you can return to that work.
In Charlotte, many workers have physically demanding jobs. Back pain often prevents people from returning to work that requires lifting, bending, standing, or repetitive motion.
Social Security then evaluates whether other work is realistic based on age, education, and transferable skills.
For older workers, especially those over 50, Social Security may recognize that transitioning to sedentary work is not always practical.
How a Charlotte Disability Lawyer Helps With Back Pain Cases
Many valid back pain claims are denied at the initial level. This does not mean the person is not disabled. It often means Social Security did not fully understand the limitations.
Appeals allow claimants to submit updated medical evidence, clarify work restrictions, and present the case more effectively.
Back pain claims are frequently approved at the hearing stage when supported by strong documentation, but back pain disability claims require careful preparation.
A disability lawyer helps by gathering medical records, identifying missing evidence, and presenting limitations in terms Social Security understands. Lawyers also help prepare claimants for hearings, especially when vocational experts testify about jobs Social Security believes the claimant can perform.
Back pain cases often come down to how limitations are explained and documented. Legal guidance can make a meaningful difference.
What to Do If You Cannot Work Because of Back Pain
If back pain or degenerative disc disease prevents you from working, taking the right steps early can protect your claim. Continuing medical treatment is critical. Consistent documentation helps show that the condition is severe and long-lasting. Applying sooner rather than later can also help preserve back pay.
If your claim is denied, do not give up. Many people succeed on appeal with stronger evidence and guidance, most engage a disability lawyer to represent them on their appeal.
Back Pain Can Qualify, But Social Security Requires Proof
Chronic back pain and degenerative disc disease can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Charlotte, NC. But approval depends on more than pain alone. Social Security looks at whether the condition prevents full-time work and whether the medical evidence clearly supports those limitations.
If back pain has taken away your ability to work, you deserve a fair review of your case and support through the process. Contact one of the local disability lawyers at Collins Price today for a free consultation on your claim. There is never any fee for our services unless we win your claim, and no obligation to hire us following the free consultation.
