Degenerative Disc Disease

Many judges view degenerative disk disease as a deterioration that is a natural part of aging. A successful claim requires clear and convincing evidence that the condition is severe, progressive and makes it impossible to maintain employment.

That is where the legal team at the Disability and Injury Law Offices of David R. Machek comes in. We have a solid track record of turning around denied claims, including tough-to-prove cases of back pain or disk degeneration. We have successfully represented claimants in the Philadelphia area and surrounding counties of southeastern Pennsylvania and southern and central New Jersey.

While it is normal for the disks between the vertebrae to lose their elasticity over time, an accelerated degeneration can cause the disk tissues to become stiff or develop bulges. Eventually, this can lead to herniation, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column causing cord compression), arachnoiditis (inflammation of the spinal cord’s protective membrane), spondylolisthesis (slippage of the vertebral column due to degraded disks).

Everyone’s spine deteriorates somewhat over time, true degenerative disk disease (DDD) is typically associated with old age. Unfortunately, it is more difficult for individuals under the age of 50 to qualify for disability under a claim for a back injury or degenerative disk disease. The Social Security Administration assumes that younger workers can more readily tolerate the pain and adapt to other types of work.

At the Disability and Injury Law Offices of David R. Machek, we understand how to properly document a DDD claim, in the initial application or at a disability hearing.

We help clients present: A diagnosis based on physical exam, MRI, CT scan and other medical evidence; documentation of pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and other physical symptoms; collateral symptoms such as depression or insomnia, a narrative of their daily suffering and limitations such as inability to sit or stand for any length of time, difficulty walking, limited range of motion, or chronic pain and fatigue.

It does not matter if your degeneration stems from back injury, aging, arthritis, genetic predisposition or a combination of factors; what’s important is how it affects your life and your ability to work on a full-time basis.

Do not believe anyone who tells you that the Social Security Disability process is simple. To schedule an initial consultation and case evaluation with a trusted SSDI and SSI lawyer serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding region, please contact us online or call at Jenkintown 215-385-5353 or Philadelphia 215-323-5320 to arrange a free initial consultation with our lawyer about SSD/SSI eligibility.