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Listing 1.16

Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in compromise of the cauda equina

This listing covers narrowing of the lower (lumbar) spinal canal that squeezes the cauda equina — the bundle of nerve roots at the bottom of the spinal cord.

Read the full plain-language explanation

This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness that make standing and walking hard (neurogenic claudication). SSA needs four things documented close together in time: (A) symptoms like non-radiating leg pain, sensory loss, or neurogenic claudication; (B) exam or test findings including muscle weakness plus sensory changes or reduced reflexes; (C) imaging or a surgery report confirming cauda equina compromise from lumbar stenosis; and (D) proof you medically need a walker, two canes/crutches, or a wheelchair, or you can't use one arm and need a cane that ties up your other arm.

Read Listing 1.16 on ssa.gov

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What Listing 1.16 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: leg pain that doesn't follow a single nerve path, sensory loss in one or both legs that doesn't follow a single nerve path, or neurogenic claudication (pain that starts in the low back and spreads into the buttocks and legs when standing or walking, often relieved by sitting or bending forward).
    • Only one symptom type is needed, but A must be met along with B, C, and D.
    Read the original wording

    You have at least one of these: leg pain that doesn't follow a single nerve path, sensory loss in one or both legs that doesn't follow a single nerve path, or neurogenic claudication (pain that starts in the low back and spreads into the buttocks and legs when standing or walking, often relieved by sitting or bending forward). Only one symptom type is needed, but A must be met along with B, C, and D.

    (Listing 1.16, criterion A)

    • A doctor's exam or test must show muscle weakness PLUS at least one more sign: either sensory changes (reduced feeling, an abnormal nerve study, absent reflexes, skin ulcers from nerve damage, or bladder/bowel incontinence) OR reduced deep tendon reflexes in your leg(s).
    • Weakness (item 1) is always required; then only one of items 2 or 3 is needed.
    Read the original wording

    A doctor's exam or test must show muscle weakness PLUS at least one more sign: either sensory changes (reduced feeling, an abnormal nerve study, absent reflexes, skin ulcers from nerve damage, or bladder/bowel incontinence) OR reduced deep tendon reflexes in your leg(s). Weakness (item 1) is always required; then only one of items 2 or 3 is needed.

    (Listing 1.16, criterion B)

  • An MRI, CT, or other imaging report — or a surgery report — must show that lumbar spinal stenosis is compressing the cauda equina.

    (Listing 1.16, criterion C)

    • Your condition must limit your physical functioning for at least 12 months, and your records must show at least ONE of these:
    • You medically need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a two-handed wheelchair
    • You can't use one arm/hand for work tasks AND you medically need a one-handed device (like a cane) or one-handed wheelchair that ties up your other hand.
    • Only one path is needed.
    • Note this listing has only two paths — it does not include the 'both arms unusable' option.
    Read the original wording

    Your condition must limit your physical functioning for at least 12 months, and your records must show at least ONE of these: (1) you medically need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a two-handed wheelchair; or (2) you can't use one arm/hand for work tasks AND you medically need a one-handed device (like a cane) or one-handed wheelchair that ties up your other hand. Only one path is needed. Note this listing has only two paths — it does not include the 'both arms unusable' option.

    (Listing 1.16, 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 appear in the medical record 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 the 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 appear in the medical record 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 the severity must continue or be expected to continue for at least 12 months.