A diagnosis of a bulging disc is common, but its status as a legal disability is far from guaranteed. Federal disability determination focuses not solely on the diagnosis itself, but on the severity of symptoms and the functional limitations they impose. Whether a bulging disc is considered a disability depends entirely on how profoundly the condition restricts a person’s ability to perform routine, work-related activities.
Defining the Bulging Disc and Severity
A spinal disc cushions the vertebrae, containing the soft, gel-like nucleus pulposus encased by the tougher outer ring, the annulus fibrosus. A bulging disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus exerts pressure on the outer ring, causing the entire disc to protrude beyond its normal borders. The outer ring remains intact in a bulging disc.
This condition is distinct from a herniated disc, where the nucleus pulposus breaks through a tear or rupture in the annulus fibrosus. Although often less severe, a bulging disc can still cause significant problems if the protrusion presses against a nerve root or the spinal cord. This nerve impingement can lead to radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the arms or legs. The severity of these neurological symptoms, not the presence of the bulge, determines the potential for disability.
The Functional Test for Disability Status
Major disability programs, such as those administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), do not grant benefits based on a diagnosis alone. Eligibility is determined by a strict functional test assessing an individual’s capacity to work. To qualify, the medical impairment must be severe enough to prevent the applicant from engaging in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA).
The SSA defines SGA as earning above an annually changing monthly income threshold. The condition must also be expected to last for at least 12 continuous months or result in death. This high legal threshold requires the applicant to prove they cannot perform their previous work, nor transition to any other work existing in the national economy.
The evaluation considers the applicant’s Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), which is a detailed assessment of what a person can still physically and mentally do despite their limitations. For a bulging disc, this means quantifying the inability to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, push, or pull during a typical workday. The focus is squarely on documented limitations that prevent full-time employment, rather than discomfort or pain.
Required Medical Evidence and Documentation
To meet the severity standard, applicants must provide objective medical evidence linking the bulging disc to severe functional loss. Important documentation includes imaging results, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scans, confirming the disc protrusion and the degree of nerve root compression. The mere presence of a bulge on an MRI is insufficient; the image must correlate with clinical symptoms.
Objective neurological findings must be consistently documented by a treating physician. This evidence includes physical examination reports detailing muscle weakness, sensory loss, and abnormal deep tendon reflexes in the affected limbs. Electrodiagnostic tests, such as Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) studies or electromyography (EMG), show the existence and severity of nerve damage (radiculopathy) caused by the disc impingement.
A detailed Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) from a physician is valued, as it provides specific, measurable limitations. This report should specify the maximum time an individual can sit or stand, the maximum weight they can lift or carry, and their restrictions on bending or twisting. Consistent, long-term medical treatment records showing a persistent struggle to manage symptoms, despite following prescribed therapies, strengthen the claim’s credibility.
Navigating Initial Claim Denials
Many claims for musculoskeletal disorders, including bulging discs, face an initial denial from the SSA. A significant majority of initial applications are denied, often due to insufficient objective medical evidence. This initial rejection is not the end of the process and should be viewed as an expected first step in a multi-stage process.
Applicants must file an appeal, starting with the reconsideration stage, within the 60-day deadline provided on the denial notice. During the appeal, continue seeking medical treatment and diligently gathering additional evidence, especially from specialists, to fill any gaps noted in the denial. The approval rate improves significantly at the hearing stage before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), where applicants testify in person about their limitations. Retaining legal representation specializing in SSA claims is beneficial for navigating complex regulations and maximizing evidence presentation at these later stages.