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Are there any medical tests to prove LC?
I am working on a short-term disability case for myself and I keep hearing, "There is no objective evidence to support the medical necessity of your leave request." How do other folks get that information or, what does the treating physician need to document to prove medical necessity? I experience very debilitating symptoms (fatigue, mild cognitive impairment-causing immediate and short term memory loss-excruciating fatigue, full body pain in muscles, joints and bones, etc.) There are more but I can't think of them all right now. I cannot work, I cannot do household chores let alone work tasks. I work as a psychotherapist, or at least I did, and I loved it until LC took hold of my life, my brain and my body. Any recommendations would be very appreciated as I will be applying for SSDI in the future. TIA!
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Hi @debbie75, Hoping other members experiencing Long COVID will share their experience with claiming disability. If you haven't already seen this, the CDC has some information on diagnosing LC.
"Testing and diagnosis
Long COVID is not one illness. There is no laboratory test that can determine if your symptoms or conditions are due to Long COVID. A positive SARS-CoV-2 test is not required for a Long COVID diagnosis. Your healthcare provider considers a diagnosis of Long COVID based on:
- Your health history
- If you had a diagnosis of COVID-19 by a positive test, symptoms, or exposure
- A health examination
Clinical evaluations and results of routine blood tests, chest X-rays, and electrocardiograms may be normal in someone with Long COVID. People experiencing Long COVID should seek care from a healthcare provider to create a personal medical management plan and improve their symptoms and quality of life. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you or your child has Long COVID."
-- Long COVID Basics: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/long-term-effects/index.html
Also Health and Human Services has some information on claiming disability for LC.
-- Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA, Section 504, and Section 1557:
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/civil-rights-covid19/guidance-long-covid-disability/index.html
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4 ReactionsThank you so much for this information. I will look into it! Thanks for what you do!
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4 ReactionsWhen my daughter had a serious case of CFS and her first request for SSI was denied, we went to our family attorney and he guided the case. It went before an Administrative Court Judge. She got SSI. The word was out that almost everyone was denied SSI on their first request. Only when it went before an Administrative Court Judge were people being granted SSI. That was the scuttle-but. I don't know if it was true or not. Don't be discouraged if your application is denied. From what we learned, being denied was simply a step in the process, which allows you to move on to an appeal. Good luck!
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7 ReactionsIt is true that nearly everyone is denied on the first application (this has been the case, in my experience for more than 25 years). The only people who receive it on the first try are people who have the prognosis of dying within 12 months. I have spoken to a law group that specializes in SSDI claims and we have sent in the first application. Now we sit and wait for the denial.
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2 ReactionsThank you for your post and your expertise. I was hesitant to post our (my daughter's and my experience) because it was an N of 1. Too bad this is happening generally, i.e., being denied categorically on the first application, but it is helpful to know that the denial is almost guaranteed, and that one needs to be persistent and appeal.
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2 ReactionsMy first application was also denied. I suggest getting tests for other autoimmune diseases. They can test for Lupus, Lyme, M.S., HIV, RA and others. If you show a positive Anit-nuclear antigen titer, then you have some sort of autoimmune disorder. Even though I did have that, I also tested positive for RA, in the beginning although subsequent tests did not show that I had RA. If your Cytokine's are high, then your body is fighting something. Eppstein Barr virus was also reactivated in me. That seems to be a common thing with people that have Long COVID. I have always heard that one must try applying for disability several times before they qualify. The healthcare system in this country is a train wreck. I wish you luck. Keep fighting. Hang in there.
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1 Reaction@debbie75
What types of specialists have you seen and what tests have been done? Do you have any official diagnoses and are you receiving any treatments?
I’m am not going to die in 12 months and was approved for SSDI on my first application. I did not need an attorney and submitted my own application. It took about 8 months to get approved and retro pay.
You need to read about qualifying for SSDI and make sure you follow the process needed to get approved. If you do not have an official diagnosis and treatment to qualify, you will not be able to be approved.
1. https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html
2. https://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability.html
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2 Reactionstake a hard, long look at Dr. Bruce Patterson and IncellDx, his diagnostic company. He has an effective treatment, using Marcie’s and Lipitor. It’s legitimate!!! He was head of virology at Stanford Med. School.
@stuartkjones4 A second for Dr. Bruce Patterson's program. I have been on it for about 4 months and beginning to have my life back.
I would also recommend that you hire an SSDI attorney after the first denial. They, as required by federal law, take the case on contingency, meaning they get nothing if they don't win the case. If they do win the case, they cannot take anymore than 25%, if I remember right, of the back pay awarded. They have no claim on benefits going forward.