Piriformis syndrome is a rare neuromuscular disorder that can cause numbness, tingling, and pain, sometimes severe. It happens when the piriformis muscle — a round, flat band located where the buttocks meet the hip joint — compresses the sciatic nerve, a long, branching nerve that runs from the spine down to the legs and feet. If severe enough, piriformis syndrome can make it difficult to work and earn a living and to carry out daily living activities.
If your condition is severe enough to impact your ability to work or take care of yourself, you could be eligible for disability benefits for piriformis syndrome. A lawyer from Disability Advantage Group can help you gather supporting evidence and apply for benefits. We offer a free case evaluation and never collect a fee until you win disability.
To speak with a member of our team today, call 865-566-0800.
The Basics of Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome is rare but painful when it happens. It causes compression of the sciatic nerve, which may manifest in pain, numbness, or tingling, any of which you may trigger with simple actions such as climbing stairs, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, or even sitting in a chair. Such symptoms can make it difficult to work many jobs and can rob you of your ability to earn a living.
Injuries are the leading cause of piriformis syndrome. Once you have it, the condition, like other types of sciatica, can be challenging to vanquish. Treatments are often hit-or-miss.
Diagnosing Piriformis Syndrome
To complicate the issue further, diagnosing piriformis is difficult to do, as there is no specific test for it. It is primarily done by observation. Your doctor may use your own reported symptoms combined with a physical exam to conclude that piriformis syndrome is the cause of your ailments.
This lack of explicit diagnostic criteria can present a challenge when applying for Social Security disability. It is important to work with a disability lawyer with a successful track record who can help you put together a compelling claim. For a free consultation with Disability Advantage Group, call 865-566-0800 today.
The Social Security Disability Listing for Piriformis Syndrome
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a master list known as the “Blue Book” as its guide for evaluating disability applicants and their ailments. The Blue Book lists the various conditions that the SSA has deemed worthy of automatic consideration for approval. Under each listed condition is a set of eligibility criteria. In order to receive disability for a listed condition, you must meet the criteria provided in the Blue Book.
Although piriformis syndrome does not appear in the Blue Book with its own listing, many of its underlying causes are featured, such as injury to the spinal cord. Our attorneys can review your medical evidence and determine if you meet the criteria of a Blue Book listing. If not, we can help you get approved via alternative means, namely the RFC exam.
The RFC Exam
RFC is shorthand for residual functional capacity exam. This test can help you get approved for Social Security disability if you do not meet the requirements of a Blue Book listing. Ultimately, what we are trying to show with an RFC exam is that your condition has an equivalent impact on your functional capacity as a listed condition. That is, it affects your ability to work, earn a living, and carry out daily living activities in the same way.
Your own doctor can conduct the exam and complete the required forms to submit alongside your application. Our attorneys will oversee the process and make sure that your claim is compelling, featuring the supporting evidence needed for approval.
To speak with a member of the Disability Advantage Group team today, call our office at 865-566-0800.
The Blue Book Criteria for Piriformis Syndrome
Since piriformis syndrome does not have its own Blue Book listing, we will have to apply based on the listing for your underlying condition. In most cases, that condition is a disorder of or injury to the spinal cord. Our attorneys will review your medical evidence and let you know if you meet the eligibility requirements based on a listing.
If you do not qualify based on the Blue Book, we can help you navigate the RFC process, helping you compile the evidence needed to show Social Security that your condition impacts you the same as a listed condition would.
At Disability Advantage Group, our attorneys connect you with the Social Security disability benefits you deserve. We have a successful track record and extensive resources, and we want to put them to work for you. For a free case evaluation, call us at 865-566-0800.
The Non-Medical Requirements for Social Security Disability
In addition to the medical requirements as outlined above, Social Security disability has a number of non-medical requirements. Regardless of your condition or disability, these requirements are the same, and they involve your income, assets, and work history.
The specific non-medical requirements you must meet depend on which of the two Social Security disability programs you are applying to — Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSDI operates like an insurance company funded by payroll taxes. In order to qualify for benefits, you must have a sufficient work history and have paid enough taxes into the system. SSI is a welfare program available only to those with incomes and assets below certain thresholds.
Disability Advantage Group can help you qualify for one or both programs on a non-medical basis. For a free consultation, call us at 865-566-0800.
For a Free Social Security Disability Consultation, Call Disability Advantage Group at 865-566-0800
The lawyers at Disability Advantage Group can help you qualify for benefits for piriformis syndrome. We are eager to put our resources to work on your claim, starting today. For a free consultation with a member of our team, call us at 865-566-0800.