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Impairment Ratings for Shoulder Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Shoulder injuries are among the most common and most disabling injuries in Texas workers’ compensation claims. Because the shoulder is a complex joint with a wide range of motion, injuries often lead to long‑term limitations — and therefore significant Impairment Ratings (IRs).
The impairment rating determines:
How long Impairment Income Benefits (IIBs) last
Whether the worker qualifies for Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBs)
The overall financial impact of the injury
How the case is evaluated at hearings
Insurance companies frequently try to minimize shoulder impairment ratings by downplaying range‑of‑motion loss, ignoring surgical outcomes, or blaming symptoms on degeneration.
This guide explains how IRs are assigned for shoulder injuries, what the AMA Guides require, and how injured workers can protect their benefits.
Rotator Cuff Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Rotator cuff injuries are among the most common and most disabling shoulder injuries in Texas workers’ compensation claims. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and allow lifting, reaching, and overhead movement. When these tendons tear or become inflamed, workers often experience severe pain, weakness, and loss of function.
Despite how frequently they occur, rotator cuff injuries are heavily disputed by insurance companies. Carriers often blame degeneration, aging, or “wear and tear,” even when the injury clearly happened at work.
This guide explains how rotator cuff injuries occur, how compensability works, what treatment is available, and how impairment ratings are assigned.
Residual Functional Capacity for Joint Dysfunction When Filing for Social Security Disability
Joint dysfunction can make it difficult to stand, walk, lift, carry, reach, grip, type, climb stairs, or complete a full workday. For people applying for Social Security Disability benefits, the issue is not simply whether they have joint pain or arthritis. The key issue is often what they can still do despite their condition.
That is where Residual Functional Capacity, or RFC, becomes important.
Residual Functional Capacity is Social Security’s assessment of a person’s remaining ability to perform work-related activities despite physical or mental limitations. SSA policy explains that RFC must be based on limitations caused by medically determinable impairments and related symptoms, such as pain.
For people with joint dysfunction, RFC may address limitations involving:
standing
walking
sitting
lifting
carrying
reaching
handling
fingering
gripping
bending
kneeling
crouching
climbing
maintaining pace
maintaining attendance
This guide explains how Social Security evaluates RFC in joint dysfunction claims, which medical conditions commonly cause joint limitations, what evidence may help support a claim, and when it may be time to speak with a social security disability lawyer.
Psoriatic Arthritis and Social Security Disability Benefits
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that can cause joint pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue, reduced mobility, and painful skin symptoms. For some people, symptoms are manageable with treatment. For others, psoriatic arthritis becomes severe enough to interfere with standing, walking, lifting, using the hands, maintaining attendance, or completing a full workday.
While psoriatic arthritis does not automatically qualify someone for Social Security Disability benefits, it may qualify if the condition prevents the person from maintaining full-time employment.
Psoriatic arthritis may be involved in disability claims when it causes:
chronic joint pain
swelling and inflammation
fatigue
flare-ups
difficulty walking
difficulty using the hands
reduced range of motion
skin pain or psoriasis plaques
medication side effects
inability to maintain consistent work attendance
This guide explains how Social Security evaluates psoriatic arthritis, what evidence may support a claim, which medications are commonly used, and when it may be time to speak with a disability lawyer.
Shoulder Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Shoulder injuries are among the most common — and most disabling — injuries in Texas workers’ compensation claims. The shoulder is a complex joint with a wide range of motion, making it vulnerable to tears, strains, impingement, and traumatic injury.
Despite how frequently they occur, shoulder injuries are heavily disputed by insurance companies. Carriers often blame degeneration, aging, or “normal wear and tear,” even when the injury clearly happened at work.
This guide explains how shoulder injuries occur, how compensability works, what treatment is available, and how impairment ratings are assigned.
Impairment Ratings for Lumbar and Cervical Spine Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation
Impairment Ratings (IRs) are one of the most important — and most misunderstood — parts of a Texas workers’ compensation claim.
For injured workers with lumbar (lower back) or cervical (upper spine) injuries, the IR determines:
How long income benefits last
Whether the worker qualifies for Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBs)
Whether the worker can challenge the designated doctor
The overall value of the case
Because lumbar and cervical injuries often involve disc herniations, radiculopathy, surgery, or long‑term functional loss, the impairment rating can dramatically affect the worker’s financial future.
This guide explains how IRs are assigned, what the AMA Guides require, and how insurance companies manipulate the process.
Medical Treatment Options for Lumbar and Cervical Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation
Lumbar (lower back) and cervical (upper spine) injuries are among the most common and most disabling injuries in Texas workers’ compensation claims. These injuries often require extensive medical care, imaging, specialist referrals, and sometimes surgery.
But Texas workers’ compensation does not make treatment easy.
Insurance companies frequently delay or deny care using utilization review, peer review doctors, and designated doctor opinions to limit treatment.
This guide explains the types of medical treatment available for lumbar and cervical injuries, how treatment is approved, and what injured workers must know to protect their rights.
Neuropathy in the Feet and Social Security Disability Benefits
Neuropathy in the feet can make it difficult to stand, walk, balance, drive, climb stairs, or work safely. For some people, neuropathy causes mild tingling. For others, it causes severe burning pain, numbness, weakness, balance problems, and frequent falls.
While neuropathy in the feet does not automatically qualify someone for Social Security Disability benefits, the underlying condition causing the neuropathy may qualify if it prevents the person from maintaining full-time employment.
Neuropathy in the feet is commonly involved in disability claims related to:
diabetes
peripheral neuropathy
spinal stenosis
herniated discs
degenerative disc disease
autoimmune disease
chemotherapy-related nerve damage
kidney disease
vitamin deficiencies
alcohol-related neuropathy
neurological disorders
medication side effects
This guide explains how Social Security evaluates neuropathy in the feet, what medical evidence may support a claim, which conditions commonly cause foot neuropathy, and when it may be time to speak with a disability lawyer.
Advanced Workers’ Compensation Law
Join us for the 23rd Annual Course on Advanced Workers’ Compensation Law, where we delve into critical topics that shape the future of injury claims. Discover the intricacies of record reviews that can make or break extent-of-injury claims, guided by expert insights from our Texas Bar CLE Course Director. This is an invaluable opportunity to enhance your understanding and skills in workers’ compensation law. Plus, celebrate the induction of our esteemed colleagues as Fellows of the National Workers’ Compensation College. Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your practice and network with industry leaders!
Cervical Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Cervical injuries — injuries to the cervical spine, located in the upper portion of the spine just below the skull — are among the most serious injuries in Texas workers’ compensation. These injuries can affect mobility, strength, balance, and the ability to perform even basic daily tasks.
Despite their severity, cervical injuries are some of the most frequently disputed claims in the Texas workers’ comp system. Insurance companies routinely deny or minimize these injuries by blaming degenerative changes, aging, or pre‑existing conditions, even when the injury clearly occurred at work.
This guide explains how cervical injuries happen, how compensability works, and what injured workers must know to protect their benefits.
Frequent Falls and Social Security Disability Benefits
Frequent falls can make it difficult to work safely, live independently, drive, walk, stand, climb stairs, or perform basic daily activities. For some people, falling is a temporary problem after an injury. For others, frequent falls are caused by a serious medical condition involving balance, strength, coordination, sensation, dizziness, or neurological function.
While frequent falls alone do not automatically qualify someone for Social Security Disability benefits, the underlying medical condition causing the falls may qualify if it prevents the person from maintaining full-time employment.
Frequent falls are commonly involved in disability claims related to:
peripheral neuropathy
multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease
stroke
traumatic brain injury
vestibular disorders
vertigo
POTS
syncope
seizure disorders
spinal stenosis
degenerative disc disease
muscle weakness
amputations
medication side effects
This guide explains how Social Security evaluates frequent falls, which conditions commonly cause fall risk, what evidence may support a claim, and when it may be time to speak with a social security disability lawyer.
Low Back Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Low back injuries are the most common injuries in Texas workers’ compensation — and the most frequently disputed.
Whether caused by lifting, bending, twisting, slipping, or repetitive strain, low back injuries can lead to:
Herniated discs
Bulging discs
Sciatica
Radiculopathy
Lumbar strains
Facet joint injuries
Chronic pain syndromes
Insurance companies routinely deny or minimize these claims by blaming degenerative changes, pre‑existing conditions, or normal aging — even when the injury clearly happened at work.
This guide explains how low back injuries are evaluated, why they’re disputed, and what injured workers must know to protect their benefits.
Stelara and Social Security Disability Benefits
Stelara, also known as ustekinumab, is a prescription biologic medication used to treat certain autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Many people who take Stelara have chronic diseases that can significantly affect their ability to work.
While taking Stelara alone does not qualify someone for Social Security Disability benefits, the underlying condition requiring Stelara may qualify if it prevents the person from maintaining full-time employment.
Conditions treated with Stelara may include:
Crohn’s disease
ulcerative colitis
plaque psoriasis
psoriatic arthritis
These conditions can sometimes qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits when symptoms are severe, persistent, and supported by medical evidence.
This guide explains how Social Security evaluates disability claims involving Stelara-related conditions, what symptoms may affect the ability to work, what medical evidence may help, and when it may be time to speak with a disability lawyer.
Lifting Injuries and Compensability in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Lifting injuries are among the most common workplace injuries in Texas — especially in construction, warehousing, manufacturing, delivery, nursing, and oilfield work.
But despite how frequently they occur, lifting injuries are some of the most disputed claims in the Texas workers’ compensation system.
Insurance companies often argue that lifting injuries are:
Pre‑existing
Degenerative
Not caused by work
Not supported by objective medical evidence
This post explains how lifting injuries happen, how compensability works, and what injured workers need to know to protect their claims.
Dizziness and Social Security Disability Benefits
Dizziness can make it difficult to stand, walk, drive, concentrate, operate machinery, or complete a full workday safely. For some people, dizziness is occasional and temporary. For others, dizziness is frequent, unpredictable, and disabling.
While dizziness alone does not automatically qualify someone for Social Security Disability benefits, the underlying medical condition causing dizziness may qualify if it prevents the person from maintaining full-time employment.
Dizziness is commonly involved in disability claims related to:
vertigo
vestibular disorders
POTS
syncope or fainting
arrhythmias
chronic heart failure
neurological conditions
migraines
multiple sclerosis
traumatic brain injury
medication side effects
anxiety or panic attacks
anemia, autoimmune disease, or chronic illness
This guide explains how Social Security evaluates dizziness, which conditions commonly cause disabling dizziness, what medical evidence may support a claim, and when it may be time to speak with a disability lawyer.
The Appeals Process for Social Security Disability Claims
Joint pain can make it difficult to stand, walk, lift, grip, bend, reach, climb stairs, or complete basic daily activities. For some people, joint pain is temporary. For others, it becomes a chronic medical problem caused by arthritis, autoimmune disease, injury, degeneration, or inflammation.
While joint pain alone does not automatically qualify someone for Social Security Disability benefits, the underlying medical condition causing the joint pain may qualify if it prevents the person from maintaining full-time employment.
Joint pain is commonly involved in disability claims related to:
osteoarthritis
rheumatoid arthritis
psoriatic arthritis
lupus
Sjogren’s syndrome
scleroderma
mixed connective tissue disease
ankylosing spondylitis
degenerative disc disease
joint replacement complications
chronic pain syndrome
fibromyalgia
This guide explains how Social Security evaluates joint pain, which conditions commonly cause disabling joint problems, what medical evidence may support a claim, and when it may be time to speak with a disability lawyer.
Death Income Benefits in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
When a worker dies because of a job related injury or illness, Texas law provides Death Income Benefits (DIBs) to help support the surviving family. These benefits are governed by Texas Labor Code §408.181–§408.187 and are designed to replace a portion of the worker’s lost income.
But as with most workers’ compensation benefits, insurance companies often dispute or delay these claims, leaving grieving families overwhelmed at the worst possible time.
This guide explains who qualifies, how much DIBs pay, how long they last, and what families need to know to protect their rights.
Lifetime Income Benefits in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Lifetime Income Benefits — commonly called LIBs — are the highest‑paying and longest‑lasting benefits available under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act. They are reserved for the most catastrophic injuries and are paid for life.
Because LIBs are expensive for insurance companies, they are also some of the most aggressively disputed benefits in the entire system.
If you or a loved one suffered a severe, life‑altering injury at work, understanding LIBs is critical.
Chronic Pain and Social Security Disability Benefits
Chronic pain can affect every part of a person’s life. It can make it difficult to stand, walk, sit, lift, concentrate, sleep, maintain attendance, or complete even basic daily activities. For some people, chronic pain becomes so severe that full-time work is no longer realistic.
While chronic pain alone does not automatically qualify someone for Social Security Disability benefits, the underlying medical condition causing the pain may qualify if it prevents the person from maintaining full-time employment.
Chronic pain is commonly involved in disability claims related to:
degenerative disc disease
herniated discs
spinal stenosis
osteoarthritis
rheumatoid arthritis
fibromyalgia
neuropathy
autoimmune disease
complex regional pain syndrome
chronic migraines
inflammatory bowel disease
post-surgical complications
This guide explains how Social Security evaluates chronic pain, which conditions commonly cause disabling pain, what medical evidence may support a claim, and when it may be time to speak with a disability lawyer.
What Are Supplemental Income Benefits in Texas Workers’ Compensation Cases?
Supplemental Income Benefits — commonly called SIBs — are long‑term wage‑replacement benefits available to injured workers in Texas who suffer serious, lasting impairment and cannot return to work at their pre‑injury earning level.
SIBs are governed by Texas Labor Code §408.142 and §408.143, and they are one of the most misunderstood (and most denied) benefits in the entire workers’ compensation system.
If you have a significant impairment and are struggling to work after your injury, SIBs may be the benefit that keeps you financially afloat — but qualifying is far from easy.