@Howard, I don't want to seem to be giving you medical or legal advice, because I'm not qualified in either regard. But just in the way of observations, in the hopes that they might be helpful...
It is going to be difficult to get an SSDI approval without the help of a current doctor with at least some current tests and that doctor's verification of your "signs and symptoms". Judges routinely ignore letters of support from family and friends, but cannot legally ignore letters from treating physicians. It's a Catch 22 that finding a doctor who'll be cooperative with a CFS disability claim can be expensive and exhausting, which is beyond so many people with CFS. Unfortunately, Social Security couldn't give a shit.
If a lawyer has already accepted you on a no-win-no-fee basis, as it appears, then appeals will have no out of pocket expenses as far as the lawyer is concerned. Of course there will be medical expenses, as you'll need to keep your medical records current.
It may be especially wise given your circumstances to start a new claim, maybe with a new lawyer, and have that lawyer assist you from the get-go with what will be needed from a medical standpoint. If the lawyer has handled CFS cases, the lawyer may even be able to help you connect with a doctor who is cooperative with CFS cases.
You can still appeal your existing claim, and you can still add evidence to your existing claim, so any new medical tests, signs, and symptoms can, and should, be added to both claims.
I know how difficult and depressing the situation you find yourself in is. Maybe take a few days or weeks to gather yourself before continuing...
It is going to be difficult to get an SSDI approval without the help of a current doctor with at least some current tests and that doctor's verification of your "signs and symptoms". Judges routinely ignore letters of support from family and friends, but cannot legally ignore letters from treating physicians. It's a Catch 22 that finding a doctor who'll be cooperative with a CFS disability claim can be expensive and exhausting, which is beyond so many people with CFS. Unfortunately, Social Security couldn't give a shit.
If a lawyer has already accepted you on a no-win-no-fee basis, as it appears, then appeals will have no out of pocket expenses as far as the lawyer is concerned. Of course there will be medical expenses, as you'll need to keep your medical records current.
It may be especially wise given your circumstances to start a new claim, maybe with a new lawyer, and have that lawyer assist you from the get-go with what will be needed from a medical standpoint. If the lawyer has handled CFS cases, the lawyer may even be able to help you connect with a doctor who is cooperative with CFS cases.
You can still appeal your existing claim, and you can still add evidence to your existing claim, so any new medical tests, signs, and symptoms can, and should, be added to both claims.
I know how difficult and depressing the situation you find yourself in is. Maybe take a few days or weeks to gather yourself before continuing...