Chronic Fatigue Sufferers Face Challenges in Fight for Social Security Disability Benefits
Those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia have a difficult task ahead getting Social Security disability. Currently, it takes about three years for a ruling on benefits to go through the system and even that takes perseverance as the medical community still doesn’t have a way to scientifically quantify or diagnose the illness.
The Social Security Administration declared in 1999 that pain and fatigue illnesses "are medically determinable conditions" that require four or more of a specified list of symptoms to be present for six months or more before a person is eligible for benefits. Those symptoms are:
Impairment of short-term memory or concentration severe enough to cause substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social or personal activities
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Sore throat
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Tender cervical or auxiliary lymph nodes
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Muscle pain
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Multi-joint pain without joint swelling or redness
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Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
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Unrefreshing sleep
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Postexternal malaise lasting more than 24 hours.
The article I'm referencing here tells of one Ohio woman's battle to win Social Security disability benefits for her chronic fatigue syndrome. She hired an attorney to help her navigate the system and cut through the red tape and bureaucracy. As her story illustrates, an attorney who is familiar with the Social Security Disability system and who has experience handling similar cases can help you get a good results and the benefits that you deserve and to which you are entitled.