I have applied for disability and am currently waiting for my adjudication hearing. The only thing in my medical records that shows I have CFS is a tilt table test from the Cleveland Clinic but they aren't using that record because it was 8 years ago. I have waited 13 months already for a hearing but I haven't worked since May of 2013 so I'm trying to make sure that I don't go into this without any evidence. Does anyone know of any test that could confirm CFS that I should request when I go to my Dr in a few days? Thanks!
Any testing to prove CFS for disability
- Thread starter Cshell
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A.B.
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There is no test to confirm CFS specifically. You can request a cardiopulmonary exercise test, which should be sufficient to demonstrate disability.
Here is the current SSDI advisory on CFS:
https://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR2014-01-di-01.html
These might help establish "medically accepted clinical practice" and could give some options for finding something that makes sense in your particular case.
http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=38316
http://iom.nationalacademies.org/Reports/2015/ME-CFS.aspx
This is of course for SSDI. Private insurance may be slightly different.
https://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR2014-01-di-01.html
So you must have a doctor who not only understands what you tell them, but also writes it down.
They list some possibles, then go on to say,
These might help establish "medically accepted clinical practice" and could give some options for finding something that makes sense in your particular case.
http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=38316
http://iom.nationalacademies.org/Reports/2015/ME-CFS.aspx
This is of course for SSDI. Private insurance may be slightly different.
Kati
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Check out the Workwell Foundation website for exercise testing. All worth it.
Bear in mind, Cshell, that you don't qualify for SSDI just by "proving" that you have CFS...CFS is not one of the conditions which automatically qualifies you for disability.
A doctor diagnosing you with CFS isn't likely to be enough. You have to prove that your symptoms make you unable to work. You really need the help of a doctor and lawyer knowledgeable in the Social Security requirements, because Social Security will bend over backwards to deny a claim based on CFS.
A doctor diagnosing you with CFS isn't likely to be enough. You have to prove that your symptoms make you unable to work. You really need the help of a doctor and lawyer knowledgeable in the Social Security requirements, because Social Security will bend over backwards to deny a claim based on CFS.
Gingergrrl
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I totally agree and my case is purely based on the symptoms that render me disabled in my daily life let alone working. I don't even think the CFS label is being used (in my case) although I am leaving it up to my atty to do what he thinks is best. But my functional symptoms are the same regardless of the label and something I can and will swear on a bible in court if it goes that far. So am not sure how important the label is but I could be wrong?
Gingergrrl
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@Cshell My atty filled out all papers, and most of them I never even saw, and we did them together on the phone (often with a legal assistant as you said.) My atty is not in my state so have not met them either. Do you know why your atty is having you do the papers yourself?
At first I didn't have an Atty and I filled them out on my own. But the legal assistant sends me things and tells me to fill them out and I don't ever have help from them. This attorney has a good success rate but I feel a little panicked because there isn't much in my recent records and I don't know what I even said on the papers. I know I did a horrible job of explaining myself because I had the worst brain fog ever then.
Gingergrrl
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Did you xerox a copy or does the atty have a copy so that you can see what you wrote? Do you have ongoing doctors assessing you? I have two new doctors in addition to the two doctors from when I initially filed my case (plus two hospitalizations) so the information at the beginning is different than the current info but as long as there are doctors who have documented your symptoms and limitations, it would think it should be okay. My atty said to prepare to be denied twice and then go to court.
Martial
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You can also get checked for autonomic dysfunction which may be easier to prove on disability papers.
Gingergrrl
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Agreed and the day I went to the medical exam for disability, my BP was 98/80 with a PP of only 18! It was abnormal even for me and my BP usually more like 85/55 but I was glad it got captured for the doctor to see. Plus all my other documentation and every doc I have seen agrees I have autonomic dysfunction (at least ten people at this point) vs. not every doc agrees I have CFS.
Well, kangaroo court.
After the first two Social Security denials you will get a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)...who is employed by Social Security and works exclusively for Social Security. Don't expect that "judge" to be unbiased, and your success at that stage will be largely the luck of the draw as to which ALJ you are assigned to. There are still plenty of ALJs who think CFS is a made up condition for freeloaders to live off disability.
There are either 2 or 3 more appeals with Soc Sec after the ALJ hearing, then you'll end up in a real court. Hope that it doesn't come to that, because many years will pass before you get a hearing before a real judge in a real court...and the Social Security rules that limit your lawyer's fees will no longer apply.
I did copy some but I don't know what I did with the copy. The attorney probably has access to all of that. I do have ongoing appointments with my Dr and he is now referring me to a rheumatologist. I was denied twice and now am waiting my court hearing, which they said would take 12 months but now they say 15 mos.
i will check into that. Thanks.
This is where I am now. Waiting to get in front of the judge. I have waited so long. I really had no idea it would take so long or be so hard. I pray that I have a favorable judge because I don't know what I'll do financially if this stretches out any longer.
Gingergrrl
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Wow, I didn't realize it took that long from the second denial. That is good to know. I am still in the initial process and waiting for the first denial.
12-15 months between each level of appeal has been the norm for decades. Remember, it isn't to anyone's benefit but yours that it be settled quickly...everyone else in the system is making quite a good living passing paper around. I went through every level, and it was more than 6 years before it got to Federal Court, 7 years before I got my first check. I'm saying this not to be unduly negative, but people need to be prepared for what might be before them...and plan as best they can.