Not so long ago, you would have had a difficult time having your fibromyalgia (FM) disability claim approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA) if FM was your sole diagnosis. In fact, there is no specific disability listing for this condition that would give administrative law judges criteria for approval of benefits. Fortunately, a recent SSA ruling has given specific guidance on determining eligibility for monthly disability checks based on this very real and significant diagnosis. This new ruling has been a long time coming and has made it possible for deserving applicants with FM to be approved for benefits, frequently the first time around.
Until recently, the sticking point has been the subjective nature of FM itself. The causes of this condition still remain a mystery to medical professionals, as it manifests in many very different and subjective ways. This makes Fm a challenge to classify, and it has caused it to become a catch-all diagnosis for any number of medical conditions that doctors could not label as anything else.
Luckily, the times are changing. If you have been diagnosed with FM, particularly if your documentation to that effect comes from a rheumatologist or an orthopedist, your chances of being approved are increased. Another time-honored method of ratcheting up your odds of success occurs when you take advantage of the services of an Chicago Illinois-based Social Security attorney who has had years of success in assisting clients in similar situations. Whether you are a new applicant for disability benefits or you have been denied and are in the appeals process, the value of having a partner at your side who can assist you in collecting, organizing and communicating the details of your case cannot be overstated.
You do not need to go through this long and often arduous process alone. An Illinois-based attorney can help you prove to the SSA that the fatigue, “fibro fog” and pain you feel are both real and debilitating and get you the results you deserve. Why not take the first step toward victory and call an attorney today?
