Neck and back pain, along with musculoskeletal issues, are some of the most common reasons people file for Social Security Disability. As a result, judges and disability adjudicators frequently encounter these cases.
They typically expect to see detailed diagnostic tests in the file, often an MRI or sometimes a CT scan.
Our experience with these Springfield Missouri disability cases has shown that an X-ray usually isn’t always sufficient, as it primarily shows bones, whereas an MRI or CT scan can reveal soft tissue damage, such as disc involvement or joint deformities.
If you’re pursuing disability for neck, back, or other joint pain, having an MRI or CT scan in your file is essential.
Consistency between the level of pain you describe and the diagnostic results is crucial. For example, if your MRI shows a herniated disc and you report radiating pain from your lower back into your legs, that’s consistent.
Similarly, if your MRI reveals spinal stenosis in the cervical spine and you report neck pain, numbness, or loss of strength in your hands, that’s also consistent.
But if your MRI only shows mild degenerative changes, it becomes more challenging to argue your case, though not impossible.
Here’s why an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is considered one of the best forms of evidence in Springfield Missouri Social Security Disability cases, especially when the claim involves conditions related to the neck, back, or other musculoskeletal issues.
Detailed Imaging of Soft Tissues
Unlike X-rays, which primarily show bones, an MRI provides detailed images of soft tissues, including muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerves. This level of detail is crucial in identifying issues like herniated discs, nerve root impingement, and other soft tissue injuries that can cause significant pain and functional limitations.
Objective Evidence
The Social Security Administration values objective evidence—concrete, measurable findings from medical tests. An MRI offers this kind of evidence, showing clear, visual proof of medical conditions that might not be as apparent through physical exams or subjective reports of pain.
Consistency with Symptomatology
An MRI can help establish consistency between the claimant’s reported symptoms (such as pain, numbness, or weakness) and the underlying medical condition. For instance, if a claimant reports severe back pain with radiating leg pain, an MRI showing a herniated disc pressing on a nerve root supports this claim, making it more credible.
Relevance to Functional Limitations
MRI findings can be directly related to the functional limitations that prevent a claimant from working. For example, spinal stenosis or significant disc herniation visible on an MRI can explain why someone is unable to perform tasks that involve lifting, standing, or sitting for extended periods.
Judges’ Expectations
Judges and disability adjudicators have seen numerous cases involving back, neck, and joint pain. They expect to see MRIs or similar diagnostic tests in these cases because they are familiar with the correlation between MRI results and the severity of symptoms.
The absence of an MRI might make it harder to convince a judge that the condition is severe enough to warrant disability benefits.
Less Disputable than Subjective Reports
While personal testimony and reports of pain are important, they are subjective and can vary from person to person. An MRI, on the other hand, is a standardized medical test that offers tangible, less disputable evidence of a medical condition.
Supports Medical Opinions
An MRI can bolster the opinions of treating physicians by providing a solid basis for their conclusions about a claimant’s condition. If a doctor’s assessment is backed by MRI findings, it carries more weight in the disability determination process.
An MRI is often the best evidence in Springfield Missouri disability cases because it provides detailed, objective, and medically accepted proof of the physical conditions that underlie a claimant’s symptoms and functional limitations. This makes it a critical piece of evidence in building a strong case for disability benefits.
The days of going into a disability hearing for back or neck pain without an MRI in your file are over. Ideally, you should have a recent MRI, within the last year or two, to strengthen your case.
Even if you have a supportive doctor and credible pain reports, the judge will expect to see objective evidence, such as an MRI, to approve your claim.
At The Krebs Law Firm, we fight as hard as we can to help you get the disability coverage you deserve. Call our Springfield office today for a free consultation at 417-883-5886, our Columbia office at (573) 886-8976 or toll free at (800) 345-0535.
It can be daunting learning the ins and outs of Social Security Disability benefits, but it’s not a task you need to take on alone. Call on a Missouri Disability Attorney from The Krebs Law Firm to help you every step of the way.
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The Krebs Law Firm provides free consultations for Social Security Disability claimants, and we don’t get paid unless we win you the compensation you deserve. Set up your appointment with us without delay. You can reach our Springfield office at 417-883-5886, our Columbia office at (573) 886-8976 or toll free at 800-345-0535.
A Missouri Social Security disability lawyer can help make the process of getting the full amount you’re owed much easier. The Krebs Law Firm offers free consultations, and all it takes is giving us a call today.
Whether you’re making an initial Social Security Disability claim or striving to make an appeal, The Krebs Law Firm knows the ins and outs of the application process and offers free consultations to potential clients. You have nothing to lose by contacting us and everything to gain.
If you seek the help of a Social Security Disability attorney in Missouri with your claim, the Krebs Law Firm has years of experience in helping our clients receive the full amount of Social Security Disability benefits that they rightly deserve in as timely a manner as possible. We know the ins and outs of the Social Security Disability process and would be happy to work with you.