Neck and Arm Problems

If you want to describe your situation and ask if you might have a disability claim, scroll to the bottom of this screen until you see a box, and tell us about yourself there.

Most people don't notice the following, so I am going to start making it in larger and larger type until most people start following the suggestions. If you are the sort of person who reads instructions, I apologize:
If you want a high quality answer, please be sure to include these facts about yourself:
1. Age.
2. Grade you finished in school.
3. The sort of work you have done.
4. What your diagnoses are; that is, what problems the doctor says you have.
5. What limitations you have because of your problems. This means what you cannot do at work because of your problems. Problems standing, sitting, using your hands, concentrating should be mentioned, as well as any problems attending work because of any psychological condition.
6. Your city and state.
7. Any other information that you believe is relevant.
8. Your specific question.

Author Message   Marie Green Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 2:35 pm:        MY SUPERVISOR IS UNDER A GREAT DEAL OF STRESS. SHE IS A MANAGER IN A LAW FIRM. DUE TO THE STRESS SHE HAS DEVELOPED A NUMBER OF HEALTH ISSUES AND HER DOCTOR HAS RECOMMENDED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASSIONS THAT SHE LEAVE HER JOB SO THAT SHE CAN STABLAIZE HER CONDITION. SHE IS UNABLE TO LEAVE BECAUSE SHE IS A SINGLE MOTHER AND NEEDS HER JOB. CAN SHE GET DISIBILITY AT ANY LEVEL IF IT IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF HER DOCTOR TO LEAVE HER CURRENTLY EMPLOYMENT AND FIELD? ALSO, ONCE SHE LEAVES HER JOB, HOW LONG CAN SHE STAY OUT ON DISIBILITY AND IS THERE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WITH TUITION THAT WILL ALLOW HER TO RETRAIN IN A LOWER STRESS CAREER FIELD? Reply by Paul: She is hanging by her fingernails, it is dark below, and she can't see how far she might fall. Here are some suggestions, none of which might solve her problem: -If she applies for Social Security disability, it could be a year or more before she sees her first check. -If she has short or long term disability, that might pay from the first day she leaves her work. Of course, it might not, too; but it is much more likely to pay from the first. -She should buy long or short term disability insurance now if she can. -She needs to get every doctor who has ever laid eyes on her guarantee her that they will help her. -She might consider retraining while she is working. -She should also look around for a lower paying, lower stress job. That might pay her more than disability benefits, anyway. -If she wins her disability claim there are some great programs to get an education, etc. There is a topic on this forum about it. -None of that might work. If she finds herself out of a job, she could easily have no income for a long time, and she should plan for that.   Maria Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 5:13 pm:        I have been having tingling and numbness in my hand, fingers and moreso in my legs and feet. I was recently diagnosed with moderate to large disc herniation at c4-5 which effaces the thecal sac and indents the central to left paracentral cord at this level. Moderate right lateral disc protrusion and overlying osteophytes at c3-4 causing right neural foraminal narrowing and right nerve root compression. Mild to moderate ddd at c4-5 and c6-7 without signifant foraminal stenosis or cord indentation.In my lower lumbar I have mild facet arthropathy,thought there is a small left L4-5 facet synovial cyst externally and posterolaterally.Everything else appear normal at this point is there a possibility for me to get disability?   Lee Vance Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 9:46 am:        My husband is 45 years old. He has worked in the retail business for 26 years. For the past 17 years he has been in chronic pain. His pain is in his neck and arm. He has had 2 surgeries on his neck (his neck is fused at c4 and c5) and he has had 1 surgery on his arm every time he has had surgery his pain gets worse. He feels like a red hot branding iron is burning him 24/7 he has been seeing a pain management specialist for the past 3 year and has been on heavy duty pain medication (Oxycotin) but his pain is getting worse. I think he has had a mental breakdown because of being in pain for the past 17 years. He can't take anymore. Everything hurts him. He finds some relief sitting back in a recliner.   Paul McChesney (Admin) Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 10:59 am:        Lee, I would file a claim, if he can't work or if he is missing work. Be sure his doctor will support him. You know what I say about attorneys. Take care and good luck.   Paul McChesney (Admin) Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 7:41 am:        Maria, your question as posed is impossible to answer. The cervical problems you describe certainly can cause severe problems. But to know whether someone might win a disability claim, you need to know what limitations you have, and what skills. If you are young and can sit at a desk all day and talk and get paid for it, maybe you are not disabled. If you are 57 and cannot read and write and have only dug ditches, you probably are.   clark roberts Unregistered guest Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 5:35 pm:        I have three herniated disks in my neck and a small tear in my labrum. The pain has progressively become worse over the passed 6 months to the pint I am now where I cannot work some days. I am also diabetic so they cannot give me the cortisone shot for the problem. I am a 34-year-old professional. My question is about the voluntary long-term disability I have been paying for monthly. Can I use this for this problem? I am also a 20% service connected disabled vet for my diabetes. Any advice?   Paul McChesney (Admin) Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 833 Registered: 5-2004 Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 6:11 am:        That depends on what the policy says! I can tell you what you are entitled to under Social Security law, since that is the same for everyone, but every policy is different. Most policies provide for coverage once you finally have to stop working. Study it carefully and if you are not sure, take it to an attorney and pay him to tell you. As a general rule anyone with health problems should hang on to any long term disability policy they have at almost all costs. Take care and good luck.   rosemary (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 5:28 pm:        I have applied for disability 2x in the past last time was 1989. I was told by the jude it was severe, right on the line but not enough to receive the disability. That was with spondololysis thisis, and herniated disc disease. , surgery is only a last resort. Since this there is another herniated disc in my neck, I am losing motor in my upper extremities, constant pain, nerve and paralysis feelings going all the way to my hip and feet areas. I also have Asthma an have a machine at home, I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea at a 12, have a machine for this also. I am unable to continue work at this time, I am in dire need of help. I am obese and am struggling to lose the weight. I also have Hepititus C. And am on high blood pressure medicine at present. I am in so much pain, nerve pain, all of it.   Anonymous   Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 9:12 am:        I have just filed for SSD. I had a multi-level fusion 10/04,c-5/6 and c 6/7, diagnosis is cervical disc disease, spondylosis. In the past 2 years I have missed 10 months of work. I am out on STD again (for the 3rd time) as the pain in my neck and arm have recurred in addition tomajor headaches that occur when my neck is flexed or extended. I test positive for vertebral artery insufficienct(pupils dialate and constrict with head positioned incertain ways). I have 2 more herniations, c2/3 and c-4/5 with some compression of cord. I have also now been diagnosed with TOS. I loose my pulse in my left arm with any elevation of my arm. I have been working in warehouse distribution for the past 14 years. Even sitting at the PC causes pain and headache. What do you think my chances of securring SSd are. Any advise is helpful as I cannot go back to work with this pain. My quality of life has suufered.

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