Many individuals are disabled and unable to work due to severe pain. It is important for an individual who is seeking benefits to understand how pain is evaluated in terms of function and the ability to work.
In analyzing the effects of pain on a person’s ability to work, Social Security Administration (SSA) rules require that a person present evidence of an objective, medically diagnosed impairment that can reasonably cause pain.
Once that is established, they will evaluate the intensity and persistence of the pain to determine the effects that the pain would have on a person’s work capacity. Social Security is required to look at all evidence including your history, your signs and laboratory or radiological findings, your statements about your pain and statements from your treating sources about your pain.
The factors that they will look at to determine the intensity and persistence of the pain will always start with medical evidence, the signs, symptoms and laboratory or other evidence that is documented by your treating providers. They will also pay very close attention to any statements or clinical findings from your physicians, for example, your responses to physical examinations or statements that your doctor has about your level of function.
They will also analyze other factors such as
- The individual’s daily activities
- The location, duration, frequency, and intensity of the individual’s pain or other symptoms;
- Factors that precipitate and aggravate the symptoms;
- The type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of any medication the individual takes or has taken to alleviate pain or other symptoms;
- Treatment, other than medication, the individual receives or has received for relief of pain or other symptoms;
- Any measures other than treatment the individual uses or has used to relieve pain or other symptoms (e.g., lying flat on his or her back, standing for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, or sleeping on a board); and
- Any other factors concerning the individual’s functional limitations and restrictions due to pain or other symptoms.
- So, if you suffer from significant pain which causes you to be unable to work, it is important that you discuss the impacts that the pain has on your daily function, your ability to concentrate or other factors with your physician so that that information can be reviewed by the Social Security Administration when they make decisions on your claim.
- Social Security may also ask you for information about your pain. If they send you forms asking about pain, try to be as detailed and utilize numbers as best you can. It is much better to say “pain prevents me from standing more than 10 minutes” rather than saying “pain prevents me from standing for very long.” The assistance of an experienced attorney can help you to clearly establish the limiting effects of pain.
For more information about SSI disability claims including the disability process, physical & mental impairments, and wait times for SSDI and SSI, go to our website blog or the pages linked here.
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