Chronic Pain Disability: Social Security Disability Claims for Pain Disorders

When Pain Keeps You from Working

Pain is intensely personal. It can't be measured by a machine or quantified on a scale that fits everyone. When it becomes chronic—lasting six months or more—it can fundamentally change your life. Chronic pain can stem from injuries, diseases like fibromyalgia or arthritis, or seemingly without an identifiable cause. For some, the pain never goes away.

If your chronic pain prevents you from working full time, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. At the Law Office of Charles E. Binder and Harry J. Binder, we’ve helped thousands of clients win claims where pain played a central role in their inability to work.

Why Pain Is Difficult to Prove

Pain is subjective, and because there is no objective test to measure pain intensity, the Social Security Administration (SSA) relies heavily on your medical records and doctors’ notes. That’s why it’s critical to talk openly with your physicians about the nature and extent of your pain. It’s not complaining—it’s documentation.

The SSA evaluates the following when reviewing pain-related claims:

• Location, duration, frequency, and intensity of the pain

• How pain limits your daily activities or ability to work

• What triggers or worsens the pain

• Medications taken, including dosages, side effects, and effectiveness

• Additional treatments such as physical therapy, acupuncture, injections, or surgery

• Non-medical coping methods, such as rest, elevation, or ice application

How the Law Office of Charles E. Binder and Harry J. Binder Can Help

If you can no longer work due to a disability, our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys will guide you through every step—from eligibility questions to the final decision. We know the SSA process inside and out and will fight for the benefits you deserve.

Don’t ever give up.