CAN I GET SOCIAL SECURITY DISABIITY FOR FIBROMYALGIA?

Fibromyalgia may qualify for Social Security disability benefits if the symptoms are persistent, severe and prevent you from full-time work.

The cause of Fibromyalgia is not known.  It may be linked to overactive nerve receptors.  It causes a feeling of tiredness (fatigue) and pain all over the body, especially along the spine and at certain pressure points.  According to the Cleveland Clinic, common symptoms of Fibromyalgia may include:
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Depression
  • Daytime tiredness
  • Headaches
  • Alternating diarrhea and constipation
  • Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
  • Feelings of weakness
  • Having difficulty remembering
  • Dizziness
  • Increased sensitivity to light, odors and sound 
Until 2012, Social Security was very reluctant to approve disability cases based on Fibromyalgia because it felt the disease could not be medically diagnosed as a severe impairment.  That changed on July 25, 2012 with Social Security Ruling 12-2(p), which gives guidance on evaluating claims based on Fibromyalgia.

Social Security requires a diagnoses of Fibromyalgia based on criteria from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).  The doctor making the diagnosis must rule out symptoms from other causes and must confirm the presence of certain "pressure points" in the body that trigger pain.  The specialist best qualified to do this is a rheumatologist.  Social Security will give more weight to a diagnosis made by a specialist, compared to a diagnosis made by a family practitioner.  

In addition to the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, the claimant must also prove that symptoms are so severe that they prevent the ability to perform persistent full-time work.  Persistent full-time work under Social Security rules is working 8 hours per day, 5 days per week or an equivalent schedule--week in and week out without excessive absence. (More than 1 day per month is usually considered excessive absence).

Only about one-fourth of Social Security disability claims get approved at the initial application level.  Three-fourths require a hearing before a US administrative law judge.  With that in mind, it is probably a good idea to seek out professional representation to help you with a successful claim.  You cannot be charged for representation unless you win.


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