Living with Scheuermann’s disease can significantly impact your ability to work and maintain employment. If your symptoms prevent you from working, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. This guide explains what you need to know about securing disability benefits with this spinal condition.
What Is Scheuermann’s Disease?
Scheuermann’s disease, also called juvenile kyphosis, is a spinal disorder that typically develops during adolescence. It causes abnormal growth of vertebrae, resulting in a pronounced curvature of the upper back. For many people with this condition, symptoms include:
- Persistent back pain that worsens with activity
- Visible “hunchback” or rounded upper back
- Reduced mobility and flexibility
- Breathing difficulties in severe cases
- Fatigue from muscular strain
- Emotional distress from physical limitations or appearance
While some cases are mild, others can cause debilitating symptoms that make maintaining employment impossible.
How the SSA Evaluates Scheuermann’s Disease
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes Scheuermann’s disease as a potentially disabling condition. Since it doesn’t have its own specific listing in the SSA’s Blue Book, your condition will typically be evaluated under the musculoskeletal disorders listings.
The SSA will look for evidence that your condition:
- Causes significant functional limitations
- Prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA)
- Has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months
- Doesn’t respond adequately to prescribed treatments
Your claim may be evaluated under several possible listings, including:
- Disorders of the spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root
- Disorders of the spine resulting in lumbar spinal stenosis
- Disorders interfering with respiratory function
If your symptoms don’t precisely match these listings, you may still qualify through a medical-vocational allowance based on your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC).
Essential Medical Evidence for Your Disability Claim
Building a strong disability case for Scheuermann’s disease requires comprehensive documentation. The SSA needs clear evidence that your condition prevents you from working.
Diagnostic Imaging
Medical imaging provides objective evidence of your spinal curvature and associated complications:
- X-rays showing wedge-shaped vertebrae (typically at least three adjacent vertebrae with 5+ degrees of wedging)
- MRIs that reveal disc degeneration or herniation
- CT scans showing bone abnormalities or complications
These images help establish both the diagnosis and severity of your condition.
Treatment History
Your medical records should demonstrate consistent treatment efforts:
- Prescribed medications for pain management
- Physical therapy records showing ongoing treatment
- Bracing or other non-surgical interventions
- Surgical procedures (if applicable) and recovery progress
- Follow-up appointments showing continued care
This documentation proves both the persistent nature of your condition and your efforts to improve it.
Functional Assessment
A detailed Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment from your treating physician is crucial. This document should specifically address:
- How long you can sit, stand, or walk during a workday
- Weight restrictions for lifting and carrying
- Limitations in bending, twisting, or reaching
- Need for position changes or rest periods
- Side effects of medications that might impact work performance
Your doctor should connect these limitations directly to your Scheuermann’s disease symptoms.
Daily Impact Documentation
Statements from various sources can strengthen your claim:
- Personal journal documenting daily pain levels and limitations
- Employer statements about work accommodations or performance issues
- Testimonials from family members about assistance you require
- Mental health records if you experience depression or anxiety related to your condition
These additional perspectives help the SSA understand how your condition affects all aspects of your life.
Common Challenges When Applying for Disability with Scheuermann’s Disease
Understanding potential obstacles can help you prepare a stronger application:
No Dedicated Listing
Since Scheuermann’s disease doesn’t have its own Blue Book listing, you must demonstrate how your symptoms match other listings or prevent substantial gainful activity. This requires more detailed documentation and often medical expertise.
Proving Pain Severity
Pain is subjective but critically important in Scheuermann’s disease cases. The SSA needs evidence beyond your statements, including:
- Consistent reports of pain in medical records
- Prescribed pain medications and their effects
- Treatments attempted to manage pain
- Objective findings that would reasonably cause pain
Regular medical visits that document your ongoing pain complaints strengthen your case significantly.
Age Considerations
Since Scheuermann’s disease often begins in adolescence, younger applicants may face additional scrutiny. The SSA sometimes assumes younger individuals have more capacity to adapt to other types of work. Comprehensive medical evidence becomes even more important in these cases.
The Application Process for SSD Benefits
Follow these steps to apply for disability benefits with Scheuermann’s disease:
- Gather your medical evidence before beginning your application, including all imaging, treatment records, and physician statements.
- Complete the SSD application through the SSA website, by phone, or at your local SSA office. Be thorough when describing your limitations.
- Provide a detailed work history showing your previous jobs and explaining why you can no longer perform them due to your condition.
- Request an RFC assessment from your treating physician that clearly outlines your physical limitations.
- Be prepared for a consultative examination if the SSA requires additional medical evidence to evaluate your claim.
- Consider filing for SSI simultaneously if you meet the financial requirements, as this provides both income and medical benefits.
How a Disability Attorney Improves Your Chances
Working with an experienced disability attorney significantly increases your likelihood of approval. A qualified attorney can:
- Ensure all medical evidence effectively documents your limitations
- Help you avoid common application mistakes that lead to denials
- Prepare you for any consultative examinations
- Represent you during appeals and hearings
- Cross-examine medical and vocational experts at your hearing
The technical nature of disability claims makes professional guidance particularly valuable for complex conditions like Scheuermann’s disease.
Get Help With Your Scheuermann’s Disease Disability Claim
Proving disability for Scheuermann’s disease requires detailed medical documentation and strategic presentation of your case. At Lemoine Law Firm, we specialize in helping clients with disorders secure the disability benefits they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Social Security Disability Representative
Annie began working at the firm in 2011 and received her Juris Doctor Degree from Southern University Law Center in 2016. She has been a member of the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR), and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSCR) since 2016; and in 2018 she became an Eligible for Direct Payment Non-Attorney (EDPNA) Representative.
