Is Scoliosis a Disability? Does Scoliosis Qualify for Disability Pay?

Important: We updated this article in January 2025 after reviewing current Social Security Administration policy and data. According to recent Social Security Administration (SSA) data, about one-third of all disability awards include back issues. These fall under the heading of “diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue” — which includes spinal disorders. But can you get disability for scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine that affects 2-3% of the U.S. population?

The answer is yes, you can get disability for scoliosis. However, it isn’t specifically on the SSA’s list of qualifying conditions. So, you’ll need to find a few workarounds to demonstrate how your scoliosis prevents you from working.

With that in mind, keep reading to learn what it takes to successfully file a disability benefits claim for scoliosis.

Getting Social Security Disability Benefits for Scoliosis: Key Takeaways

• Qualification. Scoliosis doesn’t have its own category, but an individual may qualify for disability benefits under other “disorders of the spine.” If the scoliosis affects breathing or the heart, it may also be possible to claim under cardiovascular or respiratory conditions. 
• Symptoms. Scoliosis generally limits physical activity, meaning that an individual will have trouble sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and carrying heavy items.
• Documentation. Medical records, diagnostic tests like X-rays and MRIs, along with doctor’s reports will be necessary to prove scoliosis.
• Benefits. Applicants may apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) depending on work history and income.
• Application. There’s a detailed application process that applicants must follow when applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
• Representation. Having a lawyer will greatly increase your chances of a positive outcome and claim approval.

What is Scoliosis? Symptoms and Side Effects

Scoliosis is a medical condition that causes the spine to abnormally curve.

While in some instances it can be fairly mild, in others it can be utterly debilitating. The degree of curvature may determine the severity, as well as concurrent repercussions from the curvature. An abnormal curvature of at least 10% showing up on an X-ray usually confirms diagnosis.

In less serious cases, someone might have uneven shoulders, an uneven waist, or one hip higher than the other. But as the curvature progresses (which frequently happens with age), it may have negative effects on physical health and mobility.

There are two general categories of scoliosis:

• Structural. This form of scoliosis affects spinal rotation and side-to-side curvature of the spine. This is the more serious type of scoliosis. That’s because it doesn’t straighten out on its own and may lead to more spinal deformities. It is permanent unless it receives treatment.
• Non-structural. This is a “functional scoliosis” and is a temporary sideways curvature of the spine. Triggers may include uneven leg lengths or muscle spasms. When someone with this medical condition bends forward or lays down, the curvature generally disappears.

In the structural category, the majority (80%) of cases fall into the category of idiopathic scoliosis. This usually first shows up during adolescence but may start earlier. The causes are unclear, but genetics may play a role.

Degenerative Scoliosis

Degenerative scoliosis or adult scoliosis is also a common medical condition. It occurs later in life as the joints in the spine degenerate.

Some symptoms may include:

• Uneven shoulders, waist, or hip
• Noticeable curve in the spine
• Leaning to one side while standing
• One shoulder blade more visibly protrudes
• Ribs stick out farther on one side
• Back pain
• Numbness or tingling in the legs (due to nerve compression)
• Muscle weakness
• Postural changes (such as shrinking height)

Disability Benefits Criteria From the Social Security Administration (SSA)

Qualifying for disability benefits extends beyond simply proving you have a disabling condition. The SSA has other eligibility requirements that all applicants must satisfy in order to receive disability benefits.

To begin with, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits aren’t for short-term or partial disabilities.

Non-medical eligibility requirements also include not being able to participate in substantial gainful activity (SGA) for 12 months. Applicants must not be working consistently if they hope to receive disability for a spinal disorder related to scoliosis.

Also, anyone applying for SSDI will have to show a previous work history. Typically, that means working at least five out of the last 10 years and paying into the SSA system.

SSI applications don’t have the work history requirement but applicants must show need through demonstrations of very limited income.

Applicants for SSDI or SSI need to be aware of both programs’ stipulations so they can ensure they’re filing correctly.   

Does the SSA Consider Scoliosis a Disability?

Scoliosis doesn’t have its own entry in the SSA’s “Listing of Impairments” — which is Social Security’s Blue Book of eligible conditions. However, the SSA does acknowledge that severe scoliosis may be disabling.

As such, in order to qualify for SSD benefits, an applicant must satisfy the requirements in a broader category like:

• 1.00 Musculoskeletal Disorders (1.04 Disorders of the Spine)
• 3.00 Respiratory Disorders (due to impacted lung capacity)
• 4.00 Cardiovascular System (due to minimized heart functioning)

What this means is to meet a medical listing, the scoliosis sufferer must show their condition causes complications like:

• Severe spinal membrane swelling that causes pain and limits movement ability
• Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing around the spinal cord that inhibits walking and causes pain, weakness, and numbness
• Compression of the nerve roots that limit spinal rotation and causes severe pain

By demonstrating that an applicant meets the requirements for a more general disorder, then benefits become a possibility.

Is Scoliosis a Disability That Can Get You Benefits? Learn SSA Disability Requirements for Scoliosis

To qualify for disability benefits, applicants must demonstrate that their scoliosis symptoms significantly hinder their ability to function. And that includes being able to participate in substantial gainful activity (SGA) — or, in other words, work.

Often those with severe scoliosis have trouble bending, lifting, sitting, or walking — which could make it difficult to keep consistent employment. Especially if a job requires long shifts (like 12 hours or more) or a great deal of standing.

Additionally, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) — which prohibits discrimination against anyone with disabilities — doesn’t mention scoliosis directly. So, there are no laws that entitle workers with scoliosis to workplace accommodation. However, people might find useful information in the “back impairments” section of the ADA’s Job Accommodation Network. This may help scoliosis sufferers better understand their rights and request work adjustments. 

Does Your RFC Mean There’s No Work You Can Do?

There is one other option for qualifying for disability for scoliosis, and that’s asking the SSA to review your medical-vocational allowance (MVA).

The SSA is willing to look at ​​what an applicant can and can’t do in a work setting. That is your residual functional capacity (RFC).  For scoliosis, this means determining whether your back condition prevents you from performing current or former job tasks. If not, the SSA will then look to see whether you can do any other, similar kinds of work.

The SSA may award disability upon determining an applicant cannot work owing to scoliosis negatively affecting their mobility and health.

Pro Tip: Have your treating doctor fill out a residual functional capacity form to include with your disability claim. This form explains clearly how

How Hard Is it to Get Disability for Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is one of the more difficult disorders for which a person might successfully claim disability benefits. That’s because with modern medical advances, it’s rare that scoliosis is not treatable.

Also, because it doesn’t have its own SSA Blue Book listing, someone with scoliosis must prove other conditions to qualify. However, musculoskeletal system disorders are the most common category to receive benefits approval (about 34% of all claims). So, scoliosis sufferers may have a pathway to SSD benefits if they can satisfy the criteria for scoliosis adjacent disabilities.

Which Scoliosis Symptoms Might Limit Your Ability to Work?

While minor cases of scoliosis may be imperceptible, as symptoms progress, they can present in increasingly debilitating ways. There is a big difference between slightly uneven shoulders and an inability to sit up straight. As such, the severity of one’s scoliosis symptoms will figure heavily into determinations about awarding disability benefits for this condition.

Some symptoms that may markedly diminish an individual’s ability to work may include:

• Difficulty sitting, standing, or walking for long periods of time
• Inability to lift heavy objects
• Chronic pain (which can also make it difficult to focus)
• Reduced mobility and flexibility (impairing the ability to twist, bend, reach)
• Weakness in muscles
• Numbness or tingling in the legs and feet
• Difficulty breathing (owing to the spine pressing on the lungs)

There may be more symptoms that inhibit a scoliosis sufferer’s ability to work. However, it’s apparent how any of the above would make employment difficult — if not impossible — predicated on the job type.

Other Medical Conditions That May Help You Get Disability for Scoliosis

Some individuals with advanced scoliosis may experience comorbidities that seriously affect their health.

Not only can scoliosis impair lung and heart functionality, but spinal curvatures may lead organ compression. Abnormal curvature of the spine may constrict the digestive system (esophagus, stomach and small intestine) by shortening the torso.

Additionally, studies show that scoliosis patients are 40% more likely to have suicidal thoughts. If an applicant can document their extreme depression resulting from their scoliosis, this may be another pathway to disability benefits.

It’s a good idea to talk to your lawyer about what other types of qualifying medical conditions you might have. Including all the possible elements compounding your disability in your application will only strengthen your claim.

Here are some neurological disorders commonly linked with scoliosis that can also cause disabling symptoms starting from early childhood:

• Cerebral palsy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Spina bifida
• Neuromuscular scoliosis

Evidence You’ll Need for Your Scoliosis Disability Claim

Remember that the burden of proof falls to the disability applicant. Accordingly, you’ll want to gather as much evidence as possible that shows your scoliosis causes severe functional limitations.

The SSA will require there’s documentation showing an applicant satisfies a “Disorder of the Spine” or another Blue Book listing. They will also evaluate how that affects the applicant’s ability to work.

Keep in mind that organizing your medical and other evidence in chronological order can make it easier for the SSA to review the information. You want to establish a timeline that helps them understand how your condition has progressed over time, and how it affects your daily life.

Medical Records

The SSA will want to see detailed records from any medical providers who have diagnosed, assessed, and treated you. You’ll need to obtain copies of these records from your doctors, physical therapists, and any specialists you see. Remind your doctor(s) it will help if they also document how scoliosis affects your daily life.

Medical Evidence

In addition to records from your treating doctors, you will need medical documentation of any tests you undergo. Remember there are varying degrees of scoliosis. So, you’ll need an X-ray to show at least a 10-degree deviation. However, for severe scoliosis, the curvature must be much higher (45 to 50 degrees) for consideration of benefits.

Here are some of the medical records of your treatment you may need to supply to the SSA:

• Medical imaging, such as an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray that shows spinal curvatures
• Records of surgical treatments
• Nerve conduction tests for nerve damage
• Medications and medical treatments and their effectiveness for pain management
• Receipts for back braces and other assistive devices

Medical evidence that demonstrates limitations in mobility, chronic pain, and other symptoms resulting from scoliosis can significantly strengthen your claim.

Evidence that Work Triggers Your Symptoms

Documentation that links your symptoms to work activities is essential. That’s because the crux of needing disability is that its symptoms prevent you from working full time.

With scoliosis, the biggest limitations are typically physical activities. Anyone who struggles to sit or stand for hours may find that impedes their work. Also, the use of braces or assistive devices may impact employment ability.

Proof that work worsens your scoliosis symptoms might include statements from former employers, co-workers, or occupational therapists. You’ll want to make sure any corroborations detail how work conditions exacerbate your scoliosis symptoms. Showing a direct connection between your work and worsening symptoms makes your claim more viable.

Proof of Other Conditions

Remembering that scoliosis doesn’t have its own entry in the SSA Blue Book, proof of other conditions becomes important. You can follow the steps above, but make sure to gather and organize evidence of every medical issue you experience. The combination of multiple comorbidities may just be the thing that helps put your claim in the approved column.

How to Apply for Scoliosis Disability Benefits

To apply for SSDI, you can start the application online through the Social Security Administration’s portal. However, you cannot apply for SSI benefits for scoliosis online; only by phone, in person, or through an attorney.

Or you may schedule an appointment in person with Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213 Monday-Friday, 8 am–7 pm EST. You may also start the application process over the phone while speaking with a Social Security agent.

However, before applying for SSD benefits you may wish to speak with an attorney to ensure you qualify. Also keep in mind the following requirements for each type of disability benefits.

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) With Scoliosis

Remember that SSDI benefits are available only to those individuals with a qualifying work history. To receive approval for SSDI, an applicant must:

• Show work for at least 5 of the last 10 years while paying into Social Security through payroll tax deductions
• Not currently receive any other Social Security benefits, such as retirement
• Show an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (i.e., work enough to support yourself financially) for 12+ months
• Demonstrate a scoliosis diagnosis from a doctor, and also prove comorbidities
• Have individual monthly income that is less than $1,620 (or $2,700 if blind) in 2025
• Be between the ages of 18 and 66 when filing the claim

Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) With Scoliosis

Though SSI benefits do not require applicants to show a certain work history, they do have strict financial limitations.

Anyone applying for SSI benefits for scoliosis must prove their condition and also:

• Be blind, disabled, or at least 65 years old when they begin the application process.
• Show their entire monthly household income in 2025 is less than $1,971 (the SSA counts earnings from everyone living at home).
• Own fewer than $2,000 in total assets ($3,000 for couples), including bank account balances, jewelry, etc.

Work With a Disability Lawyer to Improve Your Chances of Success

There are over four million individuals with scoliosis in the U.S. However, the chance of getting disability benefits for scoliosis depends heavily on having severe symptoms. Also, only one in three people who apply ever receive Social Security disability benefits at all.

However, having an experienced disability lawyer help you file triples your odds of success the first time you apply. What’s more, all Social Security attorneys work on contingency. That means you’ll pay nothing unless you win monthly benefits. If the SSA pays monthly benefits to you, then it’s only a small fee deducted from your settlement.

Don’t let your case get put on the backburner. Allow us to connect you with a disability lawyer in your area today for a free consultation. We want to help you get the benefits you need.

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