| How To Win Your Case For Social Security | | | | Fibromyalgia? |
| Disability Benefits If You Suffer From | | | | |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia | | | | I feel that to provide validity to the |
| | | | diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or |
| | | | Fibromyalgia certain medical tests need to be |
| | | | performed so as to rule out other conditions. |
| Winning a Social Security Disability case for | | | | I usually like to see blood work done that |
| someone who suffers from Chronic Fatigue | | | | excludes other Rheumatic diseases which may |
| Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia (CFS/FMS) can be | | | | share symptoms with, or mimic, CFS/FMS. In |
| very difficult. However, with proper | | | | cases of Fibromyalgia I look for a physical |
| preparation I am often able to win client's | | | | exam that finds and documents tender points. |
| their Social Security Disability benefits. I | | | | In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome cases I also |
| approach a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or | | | | normally like to see that a Tilt Table Test |
| Fibromyalgia case using the following five | | | | has been done. |
| factors: | | | | |
| | | | 3) Are the Client's Complaints Typical For |
| 1) Was the Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue | | | | Someone Who Suffers With Chronic Fatigue |
| Syndrome or Fibromyalgia Made by a | | | | Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia? |
| Specialist? | | | | |
| | | | By now I can usually tell by interviewing a |
| I am always very skeptical on my chances of | | | | prospective client if his/her complaints are |
| winning when a person comes to me and is not | | | | typical. The client's medical records should |
| being treated by a specialist in Chronic | | | | show documented symptoms. Without this |
| Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia. I | | | | documentation, the diagnoses of CFS/FMS may |
| usually prefer to see that the client is | | | | be subject to disbelief by Social Security. |
| being treated by a Rheumatologist but I have | | | | |
| been successful in these type of cases | | | | 4) Was the Client Treated With Physical |
| working with an Infectious Disease Specialist | | | | Therapy and/or Pain Medication? |
| and a Neurologist. I feel that the diagnosis | | | | |
| of a primary care or internist is not | | | | I like to show an Administrative Law Judge |
| sufficient in this type of case. It is also | | | | (ALJ) that my client has tried whatever |
| important, of course, for this doctor to be | | | | treatment is available for his/her condition. |
| supportive of his/her patient's disability | | | | Whether this is a series of physical therapy |
| case and for me and the client to know this | | | | appointments, narcotic pain medications or |
| from the beginning of my representation. If | | | | even non-traditional treatments like |
| a person calls me and does not have a | | | | biofeedback or acupuncture. I feel that the |
| specialist working with him/her, I suggest | | | | severity of my client's condition will be |
| that they contact a local support group for a | | | | supported by the fact that he/she has tried |
| referral. | | | | everything to find relief. |
| | | | |
| 2) Has the Client's Doctor Eliminated Other | | | | 5) Has the Client Consulted or Been Treated |
| Diseases Through Testing Before Diagnosing | | | | by a Psychiatrist or Therapist? |
| Him/Her with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or | | | | |