Social Security Disability’s Common Conditions: Pain

March 10, 2014

One of the most common conditions that results in an individual seeking Social Security Disability benefits is pain. Pain can result from any number of conditions, from Arthritis to Back Pain caused by a herniated disc.

While there are a number of pain-causing conditions that will almost automatically qualify an individual for benefits, pain from other chronic conditions can be extremely subjective. That’s because it can be difficult to prove a disease or ailment is causing an individual so  much pain they are unable to continue working. So many pain suffers seek to qualify for benefits through a Residual Function Capacity (RFC) Assessment.

The Social Security Administration defines an RFC Assessment as an investigation to determine whether an individual’s condition creates enough physical and mental limitations to justify being unable to work. Factors that will be examined during the assessment include:

• Location, duration, and frequency of pain
• The pain’s effects on daily activity
• Factors that aggravate the pain
• Medications and treatments being used to alleviate the pain
• Whether the pain affects memory or concentration

The Social Security Disability Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin are aware of how complex it can be to prove pain is keeping a person from working. That’s why the firm urges anyone afflicted with a condition that causes them to be unable to work discuss their legal rights and options with a reputable attorney immediately.