Gordon Gates has a great post tackling Social Security Rulings and how they can be used in a Social Security disability case:

Social Security Rulings are policy interpretations issued by the SSA. Social Security Rulings are binding on all components of the SSA, and are to be relied upon as precedents when adjudicating other cases. See 20 CFR 402.35(b)(1).

The value of the Rulings is that they explain how Social Security is supposed to interpret and apply its own regulations.  

These are especially useful when you are writing an appeal and disagree with the Judge on a point of law. If you have a Ruling on your side showing that your interpretation is correct, you are much closer to winning your appeal.

As Gordon mentions, it used to be very difficult to find a Ruling on the topic you needed.  But, things have gotten much easier:

Recently, the SSA published a new index of the rulings, grouping them by subject matter.

So for example, if you were looking to see if Social Security has a ruling on Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), you choose “Medical” from the index.  Then scan the new window … and there it is!  SSR 03-02p Evaluating Cases Involving Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Now, you can find out exactly how Social Security is supposed to review this debilitating condition.  

Social Security Disability Lawyer: Social Security Rulings.

A caller told me he considers Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) the Rodney Dangerfield of medical conditions: you get you no respect.

I could see his point.  The condition is often misdiagnosed, treatment options may be limited, and it can often be difficult to get Social Security to approve a CFS claim.

But there is hope.  The symptoms of CFS can be disabling:

• Postexertional malaise (relapse of symptoms after physical or mental exertion);
• Unrefreshing sleep;
• Substantial impairment in memory/concentration;
• Muscle pain;
• Pain in multiple joints;
• Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity;
• Sore throat; and
• Tender neck or armpit lymph nodes.

Fatigue and muscle pain can reduce exertional abilities (how much you can still lift/carry, & how long you can sit, stand, and walk).  However, this may not be enough to find you disabled.

However, the memory and concentration impairments can further limit your ability to perform skilled work, or maintain production requirements in unskilled work (in assembly line work, for example).  

The combination of exertional and non-exertional limitation substantially increases your chances of being found disabled.

In any Social Security case, having medical documentation is essential.  This means that if you have stopped seeing a doctor because you were told there was nothing more the doctor could do for you, you have also stopped developing the evidence you will need on your Social Security case — which can be a problem.

If possible, keep up with your doctors visits; if for no other reason than to keep current documentation of the severity of CFS.

If you do not already an attorney, strongly consider working with one to develop the specific limitations CFS causes that keep you from being able to work.  ’

For more information about how Social Security evaluates CFS, see Social Security Ruling (SSR) 99-2p.  But, be warned, the legalese and medical terminology flies fast and furious in the SSRs.  If you already have an attorney, make sure he or she is aware of SSR 99-2p.  

photo credit: peasap