Is Occipital Neuralgia a Disability? How to Get Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not explicitly list occipital neuralgia as a qualifying disability in its Listing of impairments. However, this does not mean that you won't be able to get benefits. If symptoms are severe enough to prevent you from working and engaging in daily activities, you may still qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
What Is Occipital Neuralgia?
Occipital neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by chronic pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the eyes. The pain originates at the cervical spine and radiates upward due to inflammation or compression of the occipital nerves.
Occipital neuralgia symptoms can include:
Sharp, stabbing, or electric shock-like pain
Pain that radiates from the base of the skull to the scalp
Light sensitivity
Tender scalp or pain when moving the neck
Overlapping symptoms with trigeminal neuralgia or migraine headaches
Occipital neuralgia can be caused by trauma, pinched nerves, or muscle tightness or may arise without a clear trigger. For some, the condition is manageable. For others, it becomes a disabling issue that interferes with work and daily activities.
Treatment Options for Occipital Neuralgia
Although there is no cure for occipital neuralgia, there are several treatment options available to help minimize symptoms. The SSA will consider if you have pursued any treatment before approving your disability claim.
Medications
Medical professionals often prescribe pain medications to help minimize and manage pain that is associated with occipital neuralgia. Common options include:
Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for mild pain relief
Muscle relaxants to reduce spasms.
Antidepressants or anticonvulsants to help with nerve pain.
Opioids (in severe cases) for pain management.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can improve mobility and reduce pain. Some common techniques are stretching and strengthening exercises, massage therapy, and heat and cold therapy.
Nerve Blocks and Injections
For more severe cases, nerve blocks and injections can provide temporary relief. These treatments may include:
Occipital nerve blocks: A local anesthetic and steroid is injected near the occipital nerves to reduce pain and inflammation.
Botox injections: These may be used to relax tight muscles and ease nerve pain.
Surgical Options
If conservative treatments fail, then surgery may be considered. Surgical options for occipital neuralgia include:
Occipital nerve stimulation: A device implanted that delivers electrical pulses to block pain signals
Microvascular decompression: a procedure to relieve pressure on the occipital nerves
Neurectomy: a last-resort surgery where part of the occipital nerve is removed to stop nerve pain
Does Occipital Neuralgia Qualify for Disability Benefits?
Although the SSA does not directly include occipital neuralgia as a recognized disability in its Blue Book, it may still be possible to receive benefits if the symptoms are intense enough to inhibit your ability to work and perform daily tasks.
The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. The impairment must last at least 12 months or result in death. It also must prevent you from performing past work or being able to work currently.
For occipital neuralgia, you must be able to prove that the pain, neurological symptoms, and other related issues are so severe that you are unable to work in any capacity.
Criteria for Getting Disability Benefits With Occipital Neuralgia
To qualify for disability benefits, you must prove that your condition prevents you from maintaining gainful employment. The SSA considers the following factors:
Severity of symptoms: Chronic pain, muscle spasms, and sensory issues that limit your ability to concentrate, move, or perform specific tasks and do physical activities.
Impact of daily activities: Difficulty with everyday tasks like driving, cooking, or sitting at a desk for long periods.
Functional limitations: How your condition affects your ability to stand, walk, sit, lift, and/or perform fine motor functions.
Failed treatment attempts: If medications, physical therapy, and/or surgical interventions have not worked, this documentation might strengthen your claim.
Medical Evidence
Medical evidence is foundational to a strong disability claim. Proof may be needed through medical history, including:
Doctor's diagnosis: A confirmation of a diagnosis of occipital neuralgia from a neurologist or pain specialist.
Imaging tests: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or CT scans that rule out other conditions, such as tumors or cervical spine issues.
Treatment records: Documentation of laboratory tests and physical examinations, treatments you've tried (including physical therapy, medications, and nerve blocks).
Pain journal: A daily log of your symptoms, side effects, the severity, and the effects on your daily life.
Non-Medical Evidence
In addition to medical evidence, non-medical evidence can strengthen your claim. This includes:
Statements from friends and family: Written testimonies from those who see the impact of your severe pain daily.
Employer reports: Letters from past employers that explain how your symptoms affected your work experience.
Disability impact statement: Your own written experience of the limitations that occipital neuralgia has on your engagement with everyday activities.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits
Creating an Online Account
You don't have to create an online account to apply for disability benefits, but having one makes the process easier. To get started, go to the SSA website. Click "Create an Account" and follow the prompts.
What You Need to Complete Your Application
Personal Information
Date of birth for both you and your spouse and where you were born
Date and where you and your spouse got married
Social Security numbers for you and your spouse
The same information for any ex-wives or husbands, as well as the dates you got married and the dates they died (if applicable)
Names of minor children and birth dates
Your bank's ABA routing transit number and your account number (if your benefits are being electronically deposited)
Medical Information
Addresses and phone numbers of hospitals and clinics where you received treatment, including dates and patient I.D. numbers
Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all physicians who treated you, including dates
A list of all medications you're taking and the physicians who prescribed them
Names and dates of all medical tests you received and who ordered them
Past Work Information
How much money you earned last year and this year
Names and addresses of employers for the previous year and this year
A copy of your Social Security Statement
Start and end dates of any active U.S. military service before 1968
Jobs (no more than five) you had in the 15 years before becoming disabled
Information about workers' compensation or similar benefits you filed or intend to file
Required Documentation
Birth certificate or other proof of birth
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you weren't born in the US
US military discharge papers if you were a member of an armed service before 1968
W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax returns for last year
Medical evidence you already have, including medical records, doctors' reports, and recent test results that prove you have a disabling condition
Award letters, pay stubs, or other proof of temporary or permanent workers' compensation-type benefits you received
Other Ways of Applying for Benefits
By phone: Call the agency at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, the number is TTY 1-800-325-0778.
In-person: Visit your local SSA office. (Call first to make an appointment.)
Seeking Legal Help for Your Disability Claim
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance can feel overwhelming since there is a lot of paperwork, and the process doesn't always seem straightforward. Unfortunately, many first-time applicants get denied due to missing medical evidence or simple mistakes.
Working with a disability lawyer can help. The right legal support can make the process smoother and improve the chances of approval. An experienced attorney will help gather the correct documents, ensure your application is complete, and be by your side if an appeal is needed.
At Impact Disability Law, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation.