I get a lot of questions about fibromyalgia and other medical conditions that rely on subjective reporting by patients. These cases are more difficult to win due to a lack of objective medical evidence. A typical question I receive is as follows: “I’m 44 yrs old and have been suffering for many years with fibromyalgia…
What is Fibromyalgia? Can I receive Social Security Disability benefits for Fibromyalgia? Tips for Social Security Disability Application for Fibromyalgia _____________________________________________________ What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects about 5 million Americans. The hallmark of fibromyalgia is muscle pain throughout the body, typically accompanied by: • Fatigue • Sleep problems •…
Chronic liver disease is listed under SSA Medical Listing 5.05, the category of impairments known as the Digestive System (5.00). Many Louisiana Social Security Disability claimants live with a chronic liver disease and may be entitled to benefits. When considering an application for Social Security Disability benefits based on chronic liver disease, the severity and…
Strokes are increasing among young and middle-aged individuals. If you experience a stroke, you may need to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. This article describes the increase and the disability benefits process for those who have suffered a stroke.
I recently had two hearings with clients who were, in my estimation, disabled according to Social Security rules at the time of the hearing. Both clients had CE reports in their Social Security file supporting their claims of disability. Both clients were alleging disability going back to 2006, but their claims were not filed until…
One of the most important concepts in evaluating disability claims is Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). The code of federal regulations describe residual functional capacity as follows: Your residual functional capacity is the most you can still do despite your limitations.” 20 CFR 404.1545; 20 CFR 416.945. What exactly does this mean? RFC is evaluation of…
As a Greater Metairie SSDI lawyer, I am often asked if a person can get social security disability because of an anxiety disorder. The short answer is – yes, but it depends. To determine whether you are disabled by your anxiety disorder, Social Security will first consider whether your condition meets or equals a listing….
An issue that you may face when you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, especially if you are over-50 and fall onto the Medical-Vocational Grid, is the subject of skilled versus unskilled occupations. An understanding of these terms is important because how your prior work is classified can be determinative of whether or not you…
I am currently working on a New Orleans social security disability application for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I thought it would be good to discuss how a disability claim for COPD is evaluated by SSA under the listings. COPD is a listing level disease. It is a Respiratory Impairment. It is…
Myth No. 1: The SSA tells you the whole truth. Unfortunately, some of the advice Social Security Administration (SSA) employees provide to the public is incorrect. Don’t get me wrong, I do not believe that these employees set out to deliberately misinform people about the Social Security Disability Income benefits process, but clients have relayed…