Bethany Smith is a 57-year-old female with a high school education. She worked from 2008 to 2010 as an interpreter and translator for a private company. Prior to that, Ms. Smith worked from 2003 to 2008 as a cashier at a grocery store, and worked in data entry from 1981 to 1999.

Ms. Smith twisted her back in an automobile accident. As a result she has lumbar degenerative disk disease and cervical stenosis. She also has neck, hand, and leg pain, with difficulty ambulating. Ms. Smith also has generalized depression due to her medical problems.

Bethany Smith retained the Law Office of Neil H. Good to represent her before the Social Security Administration (SSA). An initial application was filed with the SSA to obtain disability benefits. Her initial application was denied as well as her request for reconsideration. Attorney Good filed a request for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge on Bethany Smith’s behalf.

Attorney Good outlined Bethany Smith’s case to the ALJ. Ms. Smith was injured on the job as a translator. She twisted her back lifting equipment and as a result she suffered from back, leg, and neck pain. A February 2009 MRI of her lumbar spine showed right central protrusion with annular tear at L1-2, stenosis at L5-S1, congenital narrow canal, and epidural lipomatosis. A March 2009 EMG of her lower extremities showed left tibial motor nerve-prolonged distal onset latency and possible neuropathy at L5-S1 on the left.

In May 2011 an x-ray of her cervical spine showed advanced degenerative disk disease at multiple levels. Attorney Good explained to the ALJ that as a result Ms. Smith has pain that radiates to her legs and neck. This causes difficulty walking and sleeplessness due to her pain. Attorney Good further explained that in spite of physical therapy Ms. Smith had no relief. In addition to her physical disabilities Ms. Smith suffers from depression. This results in marked restriction of activities of daily living, social functioning, and difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence or pace. These disabilities not only made work unrealistic for Ms. Smith, they made basic life functions such as such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping, as well as recreational activities, impracticable.

The Social Security Administration awarded Bethany Smith Social Security benefits.  They ruled that Ms. Smith was not able to perform her past relevant work. A combination of her physical and mental disabilities impeded her ability to do all work.

If you are suffering from similar medical conditions or have a disability/impairment that has rendered you unable to work, contact Neil H. Good online or call toll-free #(800) 419-7606 to schedule your free case evaluation to discuss your specific health condition and your SSDI eligibility.