About Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury occurs when damage is inflicted upon the spinal cord, vertebrae, nerves, or surrounding spinal tissues. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, spinal cord damage can cause significant and sometimes permanent complications involving movement, sensation, and organ function.

Some individuals may experience partial loss of mobility or sensation, while others may develop complete paralysis below the level of the injury.

Although there is currently no cure for severe spinal cord injuries, rehabilitation, therapy, assistive devices, and medical treatment may help improve functioning and quality of life.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

There are two primary categories of spinal cord injuries.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

A complete spinal cord injury results in:

• Complete loss of movement

• Complete loss of sensation

below the level of the spinal injury.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

An incomplete spinal cord injury means the individual still retains some level of movement, sensation, or function below the injury site.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries

Symptoms depend on the location and severity of the spinal cord damage.

Common symptoms may include:

• Loss of mobility

• Loss of sensation

• Loss of bowel control

• Loss of bladder control

• Loss of sexual functioning

• Severe pain

• Respiratory problems

• Muscle weakness

• Paralysis

Symptoms may affect the arms, legs, trunk, or entire lower body depending on the level of injury.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are commonly caused by direct trauma to the spine.

Common causes may include:

• Motor vehicle accidents

• Sports injuries

• Gunshot wounds

• Falls

• Physical assaults

• Heavy impacts to the spine

These injuries may fracture, compress, crush, or dislocate vertebrae, resulting in damage to the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.

Spinal cord injuries may also develop due to medical conditions such as:

• Cancer

• Arthritis

• Infections

• Spina bifida

Qualifying for Social Security Disability with a Spinal Cord Injury

The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates spinal cord injuries under the musculoskeletal listings in the Blue Book.

The listing most commonly used is Listing 1.04 – Disorders of the Spine.

To qualify, the applicant must have spinal cord or nerve root compromise along with one of the required conditions described below.

Listing 1.04 – Disorders of the Spine

The applicant must have compromise of a nerve root or the spinal cord along with one of the following.

Requirement A – Nerve Root Compression

The applicant must have evidence of nerve root compression involving:

• Neuro-anatomic distribution of pain

• Motor loss

• Sensory or reflex loss

• Limitation of spinal motion

If the lower back is involved, the applicant must also have a positive straight-leg raising test.

Requirement B – Spinal Arachnoiditis

The applicant must have spinal arachnoiditis causing:

• Severe burning pain

• Painful dysesthesia

• Need to change position or posture more frequently than once every two hours

Requirement C – Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The applicant must have lumbar spinal stenosis causing:

• Pseudoclaudication

• Chronic non-radicular pain

• Weakness

• Inability to walk or move effectively

Medical-Vocational Allowance

Even if a spinal cord injury does not exactly meet the requirements of Listing 1.04, an applicant may still qualify for disability benefits through a medical-vocational allowance.

The SSA evaluates whether the spinal cord injury prevents the individual from performing substantial work activities consistently.

The SSA considers:

• Physical limitations

• Mobility restrictions

• Pain levels

• Ability to sit, stand, or walk

• Loss of hand function or dexterity

• Need for assistive devices

• Work history and education

Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment may help demonstrate how a spinal cord injury limits an individual’s ability to function in a work environment.

A physical RFC may evaluate limitations involving:

• Sitting

• Standing

• Walking

• Lifting and carrying

• Use of the arms and hands

• Postural limitations

• Endurance and stamina

Medical Evidence for a Spinal Cord Injury Disability Claim

Strong medical evidence is important in spinal cord injury disability cases. Helpful documentation may include:

• MRI or CT scan results

• Neurological examinations

• Surgical records

• Rehabilitation records

• Physical therapy documentation

• Physician statements regarding functional limitations

• Assistive device requirements

The SSA evaluates how spinal cord injuries affect mobility, sensation, coordination, pain levels, independence, and the ability to maintain full-time employment.