Direct answer
Can I get SSDI for back pain?
Yes — you can get SSDI for back pain if the underlying spinal condition meets the SSA's musculoskeletal listing (Listing 1.15) or if the pain and its limitations reduce your residual functional capacity to the point that no substantial work is possible.
The SSA does not approve claims for pain alone; it requires objective medical evidence of an underlying condition such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or nerve root compromise. Documented imaging, treatment history, and functional limits are decisive.
Sourced from ssa.gov — see citations below.
What listing applies?
Listing 1.15 (Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root) in the Blue Book.
What if I don't meet the listing?
The SSA evaluates your residual functional capacity and past work.
Topics
Sources
Every figure and rule on this page is drawn from official SSA publications. Verify at the links below.
- SSA — Listing of Impairments (Blue Book) (ssa.gov)