Am I eligible for social security by the these MRI results? Opinions?
 

Exam: MRI Lumbar canal w/o contrast.

Findings:
Conus is identified at the T12 level.

Degenerative and desiccative changes are noted involving the L4-5 and L5-S1 disks.

No significant central canal or neural foraminal stenosis is seen at the L3-3 and L3-4 levels.

At the L4-5 level, small right paracentral disk protusion is seen with associated annular tear. This encroaches upon the adjacent L5 nerve root in the lateral recess. A combination of ligamentous hypertrophy, disk protrusion and mild osseous degenerative changes in combination with a somewhat congenitally small canal narrowly transverse diameter of the central canal at this level to 1.0 cm indicative of mild to mderate central canal stenosis. There is some mild narrowing of the right0sided L4-5 neural foramina inferiorly due to right paracentral disk protrusion. No appreciable narrowing is seen in the left L4-5 neural foramina.

At the L5-S1 level, some mild central disk bulging is seen. No appreciable central canal or neural foraminal stenosis is seen at this level. Normal marrow signal is seen throughout. Adjacent soft tissues are unremarkable in appearance.

It helps matters if you had a standing job for the last 15 yrs with no other job skills ,heavy lifting job and helps to be in your 50s. For a standing job-you are required to be able to stand for 6 out of 8 hrs. Doesn't sound like you can. But then you might have trouble sitting,also. Plus the pain factor. I have arthritis in my neck,back,hands,wrists and shoulders. Also have a heart condition. Call an SSDI attorney and ask them

I think it depends on your symptoms, pain, what you can do and what the drs say in their reports.

Thank's for the reply.I have been cleaning offices for about 8 years.from 2000 to 2008.I usually only worked about 5-6 hours a day.I have not worked since december of 2008.My injury happend in 1994 and my first x rays were taken in 2002.the new xrays and mri are from a few months ago.I also have a history of headaches and migranes.I am going to be 48 in february 2011.I would like to work a few hours a day is that possible if you are eligable for SSDI? I never asked for pain meds because they make me feel sick last month the doctor gave me tramadol but I wont take them. I thought about calling Binder and Binder. What do you think?

It isn't good to work (not even part-time)if you are filing for SSDI/SSI.Give them a call. They will want to know about your conditions and what you can and can't do. Do you have documentation about your migraines? Do your doctors say you are disabled? They might not take your case until after you have been denied the first time. Still ,it would be good to call them and see what they say. If you can't work,you can't work.

I have stenosis and a bluging disc as well as spondololisthesis...i have back surgery in january. (I am on disability due to mental probs, not back stuff)
I am positive you are in severe pain and are unable to do your previous job. BUT I am NOT an expert by any means...I just know that because we have similarities with our back that you are in a huge amount of pain. I wish you and everyone who has back issues the best!

Hi
I don't believe you would be eligable just based on the MRI. You would have to have supporting documents stating that you are in pain and can't work. The reason being is a lot of people have bulging/herniated disks but they are able to work without pain. So make sure you tell your doctors of all the pain you endure. And you shouldn't work while filing for SSDI because they won't see you as disabled. I didn't work a year and a half before I applied. It's tricky and stinks but that's the way it goes.

Problems with pain
 

It's difficult to prove that you have pain if you are nor taking any pain medication. Find a way to tloerate the pain medication, food and a lot of water to dilute the effect.

I agree with the folks that posted before me that you cannot work while you are applying for SSDI. I suffer from several psychological disorders and could not work because of them so I hired Binder and Binder from the very start of my case. My case was sever enough that they took my case and helped me throughout the process of applying for ssdi and I was approved on my first try. Best of luck to you.

You should visit the SSDI website. All your questions will be answered there.

How We Decide If You Are Disabled