Experts say fibromyalgia is one of the most difficult conditions to substantiate when trying to win a Social Security& Disability claim. Indeed, fibromyalgia is a misunderstood condition, but thousands of people are affected by it. Symptoms of this chronic disease include pain in the muscles and other soft tissues. Other symptoms include dizziness, headaches, numbness, fatigue, memory problems, and depression. Doctors are just beginning to understand fibromyalgia so they treat it with many different therapies.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) issued a ruling a few years ago on how to measure a fibromyalgia claim. First, to be considered for a Social Security disability claim, a condition must be a severe “medically determinable impairment,” (MDI). SSA used criteria established by leading Rheumatologists to establish the following criteria:
- There must be proof of widespread chronic pain lasting at least three months
- Other medical conditions are ruled out by tests
Additionally, the applicant must have repeated episodes of one of the fibromyalgia symptoms including fatigue and memory problems. After establishing the criteria, applicants must still prove an inability to work. It is always best to have a lawyer for a disability claim. Visit to find out how to schedule a consultation.
The benefit of employing a lawyer is their knowledge of documenting a case. For instance, applicants must have a documented diagnosis of the condition. Furthermore, it is important that the doctor applies the social security guidelines to the diagnosis. This means documenting all symptoms and episodes of pain in the patient’s file. SSA requests an applicant’s records for the past 12 months. If one has been suffering for years, the attorney requests the records and passes them on to SSA.
Applicants should keep their own journal of medical treatment and symptoms. This can be used as evidence in a hearing along with testimony from a third party. For instance, one can have a relative or friend testify about how fibromyalgia affects your abilities. Doctors may diagnose patients with fibromyalgia because of the variety of symptoms. It may be best to have a rheumatologist diagnose the condition because they are the authorities on fibromyalgia.
Visit William D. McGillicuddy Facebook profile.
