Fibromyalgia Disability

Many people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are denied disability benefits when they make their application. One of the reasons is because Social Security hasn't yet posted a disability 'listing' for this condition. However, the Social Security Authority (SSA) has published a ruling that guides administrative law judges and claim examiners on how to assess fibromyalgia.

National Disability Benefits is committed to assisting Americans with fibromyalgia receive their disability benefits. We have helped thousands of people reduce the physical, emotional, and financial hardships of living with fibromyalgia disability. And we'll do that for you too.

What Measures Are Used to Prove A Medically Determinable Impairment (MDI) for Fibromyalgia?

According to the Social Security ruling, fibromyalgia should be found to be a ''medically determinable impairment," for your disability benefits to be considered. The impairment should be proved by substantial evidence like medical "signs" of the disease, or laboratory tests. 

For examiners to make a ruling that an individual has fibromyalgia, they should use the criteria set by the  ACR (American College of Rheumatology). The patient should experience widespread pain, muscle soreness, “fibro fog,” fatigue, and dizziness.  Also, the patient needs to have at least one of the following problems.

• At least six fibromyalgia symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, anxiety, headache, memory problems, cognitive impairment, among others.
• Tender points in not less than 11 of the 18 body’s tender points with tender points occurring both above and below your waistline, and on both sides of the body.

In addition, the claim examiner reviewing your claim will check your medical history, to determine if there’s evidence meeting the above criteria. The examiner focuses on your physician’s notes, especially if the complaints are related to pain, cognitive difficulties, and feelings of exhaustion. 

Moreover, to determine the credibility of the complaints you’re making, the claims examiner may require that your doctor provides information regarding the extent and overall duration of your impairments.

What Will Happen If Your Fibromyalgia Condition Is Discovered to be an MDI? 

Even after the SSA determines that your fibromyalgia is a medically determinable impairment, your Social Security evaluation won’t be over.

The SSA will develop the residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment, which is used to determine if there’s any work you’re capable of doing, including work you have done in the past. Basically, the RFC assessment evaluates your ability to do different exertional work levels.

Ways Disability Benefits Can Help Fibromyalgia Patients  

If your family depends on you, these benefits will prevent them from undergoing suffering due to loss of income caused by your unproductivity. The benefits can be used to provide for your family’s basic needs as you continue coping with the disease.

Furthermore, since managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia can be expensive, the benefits can cover part of your therapy costs.

Your Trusted Disability Benefits Partner

Has fibromyalgia affected your productivity? At National Disability Benefits, we will help you apply for fibromyalgia disability benefits. Many people have received the compensation they deserve by working with us.

Are you curious to know if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits? If eligible, you could get up to $2,788 a month and get the financial compensation you need.

Take this FREE one minute online survey to see how much you may qualify to receive.