Given the level of debate within the medical community about the nature and even the existence of fibromyalgia as a “real illness,” it’s not surprising that many people with fibromyalgia entertain significant doubts about applying for disability. It is true that many fibromyalgia patients, through careful and assertive pain management techniques and treatment protocols, can [...]
Filed under Fibromyalgia Case Strategies by on Sep 9th, 2011. Comment. 
We spend a lot of time on this site and others talking about the elements of a winning Social Security disability claim arising from fibromyalgia. Because there are no objective tests currently available, Social Security judges have to rely on medical records and testimony from the claimant. Successful claimants need treating doctors who fully support [...]
Filed under Fibromyalgia Case Strategies by on Sep 26th, 2010. Comment.
The importance of work background in a fibromyalgia disability case In a previous fibromyalgia disability case I tried in court, my client had a very insufficient work record. In addition, what was stated in her medical records about her condition did not match with what she claimed about her condition; she seemed to very much [...]
Filed under Fibromyalgia Case Strategies by on May 11th, 2010. Comment.
I am asked this question by fibromyalgia clients often, and the answer is yes, but there’s a big asterisk there. You see, to win your fibromyalgia disability case early on, you need to meet certain criteria which may be hard to achieve. First of all, you will need to obtain strong support from your treating [...]
Filed under Fibromyalgia Case Strategies by on May 3rd, 2010. Comment.
If you have a chronic illness such as fibromyalgia, you probably know that anxiety and depression will often develop secondary to your condition – thus making things worse for you. If you have fibromyalgia or another chronic condition like chronic fatigue syndrome, please know that psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health workers are there to [...]
Filed under Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Case Strategies by on Jan 20th, 2010. Comment.
As you probably know, filing a Social Security disability claim based on fibromyalgia is just the first step in what can be a long process. Whether you are filing on your own or have representation, it is pretty unlikely that your personal and financial situation or even your medical condition will look exactly the same [...]
Filed under Fibromyalgia Case Strategies by on Nov 20th, 2009. Comment.
There is a perception that Social Security disability cases based on fibromyalgia are difficult to win. It is not surprising that some judges have a problem acknowledging a medical syndrome that cannot be detected by a blood test and that can have a wide range of generalized symptoms. Until fairly recently, in fact, physicians did [...]
Filed under Fibromyalgia Case Strategies by on Nov 11th, 2009. Comment.
In a fibromyalgia disability case, you need to prove one thing – that you are not able to work. If you remember nothing else about Social Security disability, you should remember that your capacity for performing work is the only thing that matters to a Social Security judge. Your underlying medical condition – fibromyalgia, chronic [...]
Filed under Fibromyalgia Case Strategies by on Nov 11th, 2009. Comment.
