By Chris Sharry on July 23rd, 2025 in Disability Qualifying
Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. It is a type of neural tube defect (NTD). The neural tube is the structure in a developing embryo that later becomes the baby’s brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them. Typically, the neural tube forms early in pregnancy and closes by the 28th day after conception. In babies with spina bifida, a portion of the neural tube doesn’t close all the way. This affects the spinal cord and bones of the spine.
Types
Spina bifida occulta: Occulta means hidden. Spina bifida occulta is the mildest and most common type. This type of spina bifida results in a small separation or gap in one or more of the bones of the spine, called vertebrae.
Meningocele: Meningocele happens when a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back, but the spinal cord is not in this sac. There is usually little or no nerve damage. This type of spina bifida can cause minor disabilities.
Myelomeningocele: Myelomeningocele is the most serious type. It also is known as open spina bifida. The spinal canal is open along several vertebrae in the lower or middle back. Part of the spinal cord, including the spinal cord’s protective covering and spinal nerves, push through this opening at birth, forming a sac on the baby’s back. Tissues and nerves usually are exposed. This makes the baby prone to dangerous infections. This type also may cause loss of movement in the legs, and bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Complications
- Walking and mobility problems
- Orthopedic complications
- Bowel and bladder symptoms
- Buildup of fluid in the brain, known as hydrocephalus
- Shunt malfunction
- Chiari Malformation Type 2
- Tethered spinal cord
- Meningitis
While spina bifida does not have its own SSA listing, other listings may be applicable depending on the severity of the conditions.
- Listing 101.15 Listing Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compression of a nerve root. To qualify under this listing, your child’s medical records must contain medical imaging (MRI or X-ray) that a nerve root in their back is being pressed on, causing pain and muscle weakness that prevents them from walking independently or from using one or more of their upper extremities.
- Listing 101.16 Lumbar stenosis resulting in compromise of the cauda equina. Your child can qualify under this listing if they have medical imaging that a bundle of nerves in the lower back (called the cauda equina) are being compressed, causing pain and muscle weakness that keeps them from walking independently or from using one or more of their upper extremities.
- Listing 111.08Spinal cord disorders. To qualify under this listing, your child’s medical records must either demonstrate a complete loss of function (absence of all motor and sensory abilities) for at least three months or be “grossly disorganized,” meaning these functions are reduced to the extent that your child can’t perform basic movements.
- Listing 112.05Intellectual disorder. In severe cases of hydrocephalus that result in “significantly subaverage general intellectual or adaptive functioning” (defined as a full-scale IQ of 70 or below or a full-scale IQ between 71-75 and a verbal/performance IQ of 70 or below), your child may qualify for disability under this listing.
Children whose spina bifida isn’t severe enough to meet a listing but still causes significant physical or mental limitations in certain areas (such as moving around or learning new things) can still qualify for SSI by functionally equaling the listings. Social Security will need to see that your child has a “marked” limitation in at least two, or an “extreme” limitation in at least one, functional areas.
