Listing 1.15
Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s)
This listing covers spine problems (like a herniated disc, arthritis of the spine, slipped vertebrae, degenerative disc disease, or a spinal fracture) that press on a nerve root coming out of the spine.
Read the full plain-language explanation
SSA needs four things, all documented in your medical records at close to the same time: (A) symptoms like pain, tingling, or muscle fatigue that follow the path of the affected nerve; (B) exam or test findings of nerve trouble, including muscle weakness; (C) imaging (like an MRI) showing the nerve root is being compressed; and (D) proof that the condition seriously limits how you walk or use your arms — for example, you medically need a walker, two canes, or a wheelchair.
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What Listing 1.15 asks for
What SSA looks for — see the 4 items
We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.
- You have at least one of these symptoms — pain, tingling/numbness (paresthesia), or muscle fatigue — and it follows the specific body path of the pinched nerve.
- Only one of the three symptoms is needed, but criterion A must be met along with B, C, and D.
Read the original wording
You have at least one of these symptoms — pain, tingling/numbness (paresthesia), or muscle fatigue — and it follows the specific body path of the pinched nerve. Only one of the three symptoms is needed, but criterion A must be met along with B, C, and D.
(Listing 1.15, criterion A)
- A doctor's exam or test must show three things together:
- Muscle weakness
- A positive nerve test sign (like a positive straight-leg raise for the low back — done both sitting and lying down — or a positive Spurling test for the neck)
- EITHER sensory changes (reduced feeling, or an abnormal nerve conduction study) OR reduced reflexes. All of 1 and 2 plus either 3 or 4 are required.
Read the original wording
A doctor's exam or test must show three things together: (1) muscle weakness, (2) a positive nerve test sign (like a positive straight-leg raise for the low back — done both sitting and lying down — or a positive Spurling test for the neck), and (3) EITHER sensory changes (reduced feeling, or an abnormal nerve conduction study) OR reduced reflexes. All of 1 and 2 plus either 3 or 4 are required.
(Listing 1.15, criterion B)
Imaging like an MRI, CT scan, or x-ray must show something (such as a herniated disc or bone spur) pressing on the nerve root in your neck or lower back.
(Listing 1.15, criterion C)
- Your condition must limit your physical functioning for at least 12 months, and your medical records must show at least ONE of these:
- You medically need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a wheelchair that takes both hands
- You can't use one arm/hand for work tasks AND you medically need a cane (or similar one-handed device) or one-handed wheelchair that ties up your other hand
- You can't use either arm/hand for work tasks. Only one of the three paths is needed.
Read the original wording
Your condition must limit your physical functioning for at least 12 months, and your medical records must show at least ONE of these: (1) you medically need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a wheelchair that takes both hands; (2) you can't use one arm/hand for work tasks AND you medically need a cane (or similar one-handed device) or one-handed wheelchair that ties up your other hand; or (3) you can't use either arm/hand for work tasks. Only one of the three paths is needed.
(Listing 1.15, criterion D)
How long it must last:
- The impairment-related physical limitation must have lasted, or be expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
- All criteria (A, B, C, and D) must be present simultaneously or within a close proximity of time (a consecutive 4-month period, or 12 months for claims decided during the pandemic/post-pandemic evaluation periods), and that level of severity must continue or be expected to continue for at least 12 months.
Read the original wording
The impairment-related physical limitation must have lasted, or be expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months. All criteria (A, B, C, and D) must be present simultaneously or within a close proximity of time (a consecutive 4-month period, or 12 months for claims decided during the pandemic/post-pandemic evaluation periods), and that level of severity must continue or be expected to continue for at least 12 months.