Just over 1% of the US population has been diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Some cases of ME/CFS are so severe that a person might be completely bed-bound and unable to work.
There has also been a connection between ME/CFS, Long Covid, and increased disability.
If this sounds like you or a loved one, then you should apply for Social Security disability benefits. Our attorney with the Law Office of Gerard Lynch can help you achieve the financial relief you deserve.
Schedule your free consultation with The Law Office of Gerard Lynch and see if your condition qualifies.
What Is ME/CFS?
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are disabling conditions characterized by profound fatigue and a variety of other symptoms. The exact cause of ME/CFS is unknown, but research has emerged linking viral conditions such as Covid-19, to the development of ME/CFS. This condition can affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Common Symptoms of ME/CFS:
- Severe, chronic fatigue not improved by rest
- Post-exertional malaise (extreme exhaustion after physical or mental activity)
- Sleep disturbances (unrefreshing sleep, insomnia)
- Cognitive difficulties (memory problems, trouble concentrating)
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Sensitivity to light, sound, and temperature
Levels of Severity in ME/CFS
Some people can adjust their lives successfully with ME/CFS, while others are barely able to make it out of bed. Knowing the different levels of severity of this condition can help you construct your disability application.
- Mild: Able to care for themselves and may be able to work or attend school with difficulty.
- Moderate: Reduced ability to carry out daily activities, often needing rest periods.
- Severe: Mostly housebound and unable to perform daily tasks without assistance.
- Very Severe: Bedbound and completely reliant on others for care.
Connecting ME/CFS, Long Covid and Disability
Just a few weeks into the Covid-19 pandemic we began hearing the phrase Long Covid, expressed across healthcare settings. Ongoing research shows a link between these two conditions, but Long Covid doesn’t always involve ME/CFS.
What Is Long Covid?
Long Covid refers to a range of persistent symptoms that some individuals experience following a COVID-19 infection. Research has shown that ME/CFS is one of many conditions connected to Long Covid. While not all cases of Long Covid involve ME/CFS, there is a significant overlap in symptoms and experiences.
Long Covid can manifest in various ways, including:
- Respiratory issues:
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent cough
- Lung damage
- Cardiovascular problems:
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Blood clots
- Neurological symptoms:
- Brain fog
- Headaches
- Loss of smell or taste
- Dizziness
- Fatigue and energy-related issues:
- Severe, chronic fatigue
- Post-exertional malaise
- Musculoskeletal concerns:
- Joint pain
- Muscle weakness
- Gastrointestinal problems:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Mental health issues:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances
It’s important to note that Long Covid symptoms can vary widely between individuals. They may also fluctuate in severity over time. Sometimes symptoms persist for weeks or months following an infection, while others last for years. It’s also possible for symptoms to start weeks, months, or years after an initial infection of Covid-19.
Potential Causes and Predisposing Factors for ME/CFS:
- Viral infections:
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Human Herpesvirus 6
- Influenza
- COVID-19
- Other health conditions:
- Lyme disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple chemical sensitivities
- Predisposing factors:
- Genetics
- Stress
- Physical trauma
How Does ME/CFS Qualify For Disability Benefits?
Qualifying for disability benefits with ME/CFS requires thorough documentation and medical evidence. This usually includes:
- Suffering from ME/CFS for at least 12 months
- Being unable to work or complete basic tasks needed to live
- Unsuccessful attempts to treat the ME/CFS
- Your medical record detailing the diagnosis and treatments for this condition
Strengthening Your Case For Disability Benefits with ME/CFS
While it is possible to gather some of this evidence on your own, doing so can lessen your chance of getting approved. Enlisting the help of a disability lawyer can make a world of difference. Here’s what claimants can expect a disability lawyer to gather to strengthen their case:
- Medical Diagnosis
- Obtain a clear diagnosis of ME/CFS from a qualified healthcare provider.
- Detailed Medical Records
- Include all relevant medical records, including test results, treatment plans, and documentation of symptoms over time. These should be gathered by an attorney, rather than the claimant. This way, there are no gaps in their disability application.
- Functional Capacity Evaluation With A Lawyer
- A disability attorney can help you provide evidence through this evaluation. It can help show how Long Covid or ME/CFS affects your ability to perform daily activities and work. This may include statements from doctors and physical therapists.
- Symptom Documentation
- Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms, their severity, and how they impact your daily life.
- Work History
- Submit records of your work history and any attempts to return to work. This includes any adjustments made to your work environment and why they were unsuccessful.
- Personal Statement
- Write a personal statement detailing your condition, the impact on your life, and why you are unable to work.
Strengthening Your Case For Long Covid
Long Covid is not listed in the SSA’s Blue Book due to its new and broad definition. It is still possible for individuals to qualify for disability benefits under this condition.
This is where a disability lawyer can help analyze and strengthen your claim. An attorney will gather information about how sick you are if you can’t work, and any medical proof to help your case.
Here are some criteria that a disability lawyer helps gather for your claim:
- Severity of symptoms: The symptoms must be severe enough to prevent the individual from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
- Duration: The condition must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months.
- Medical evidence: Comprehensive medical documentation is crucial, including diagnoses, test results, and treatment history.
- Functional limitations: Evidence must show how the symptoms limit the individual’s ability to perform work-related tasks.
- Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment: This evaluation determines what work-related activities the individual can still perform despite their limitations.
- A Multi-Organ Condition: Demonstrating the combined effect Long Covid’s impact on multiple organ systems can strengthen a claim.
- Mental health impact: Long Covid has led to mental health issues. These should also be documented and included in the application.
- Consistency of symptoms: Medical records should show a consistent pattern of symptoms over time.
- Failed treatment attempts: Documentation of unsuccessful treatment attempts can support the claim’s validity.
- Detailed personal statement: A thorough description of how Long Covid symptoms affect daily life and workability is essential.
When applying for disability benefits, it’s crucial to provide as much detailed medical evidence as possible. You and a lawyer must show how Long Covid stops you from working. This can greatly help your chances of getting approved.
Filing For An Appeal
Unfortunately, the medical community as a whole does not universally understand ME/CFS. This is connected to how symptoms vary, develop, and severely persist.
Because of this, it can be difficult to achieve disability benefits for this particular condition. Initial applications for ME/CFS are often denied because there are:
- A lack of sufficient medical evidence
- An Incomplete application
- A failure to demonstrate how ME/CFS or Long Covid limits your ability to work
Get Help From The Law Office of Gerard Lynch
The Law Office of Gerard Lynch will do everything in our power to get your disability claim approved. Our Texas-based attorney can cut through the red tape that most claimants run into on their own.
We have several established relationships with medical systems across Texas and a track record of successful claims. The Law Office of Gerard Lynch is confident in our ability to help you.
Our attorney has also helped claimants across all application stages. Whether you’ve been preparing to file, are in the process of filing, or have been rejected, our firm has your back.
Schedule Your Consultation With Us
If you or a loved one is struggling with ME/CFS or Long Covid, the Law Office of Gerard Lynch is here to help. If you need help with a disability application or appeal, our attorney can review your case.
Let’s guide you through every step of the process and get you the benefits you deserve.
Schedule your free consultation with us today. Take the first step toward the financial relief you deserve. Call us at (713) 225-1817.
