If you have been diagnosed with lyme disease and your claim for disability benefits was denied, you have 60 days to appeal the decision with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Over 60% of applications are denied on the first attempt so your odds of approval are greater with a strong appeal.
These three tips will help you to have the strongest case possible so that you can win your disability appeal with lyme disease.
Tip #1 - Review, Review, Review...Then Add
Most disability benefits applications are denied because the applicant’s condition does not meet the Blue Book guidelines, or they have not submitted enough documentation to support the claim.
The first step is to review your original claim to see if there is any information you can add. Did you provide enough medical documentation? Was the application complete? Look for omissions in your original application and then add in whatever is missing.
Tip #2 - Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)
One of the most helpful pieces of evidence in your appeal is the residual functional capacity (RFC) form. This form is completed by your doctor and it outlines the maximum amount of work you are capable of performing given your condition. It also takes into effect side effects from the disease or the treatment, and this can strengthen you appeal substantially.
Since you are unable to speak directly to the SSA reviewer working on your case, the RFC serves as a way for you to explain your condition and the specific things that make it impossible to work.
You might have a terrible reaction to the medication you’re taking, or you could experience tremendous drowsiness that prevents you from getting out of bed. These are all things that the SSA should know in order to make an educated and informed decision.
Tip #3 - Obtain Further Testing
It’s also helpful to examine your original application to determine whether you provided enough medical documentation, as mentioned above. If you didn’t, then make sure you talk to your doctor about either obtaining copies of the results or undergoing new exams. You need to provide everything to the SSA so that they understand every aspect of your situation.
Also consider that three to five months have passed between submitting your application and receiving your decision, and in that time you might have received results that were not included in your original application. You might be experiencing new side effects, too, so those should also be mentioned in your appeal and this information should be accompanied by any supporting medical exams and lab tests.
Get a Free Case Evaluation
It’s difficult enough to cope with all of the side effects of lyme disease, so the last thing you need is to worry about the stress of filing an appeal for disability benefits. You might consider working with a disability attorney who can help you gather evidence, meet deadlines and make sure that you have the strongest appeal possible.
There is no guarantee that working with a disability attorney will lead to an automatic win for your appeal, but the chances of success improve when you have an experienced advocate working on your behalf.
There is very little risk involved in working with a disability attorney, as they work on a contingency basis and that means they don’t collect any fees to take your case. You only pay if you win your appeal.
To learn more about how a disability attorney can help you, fill out a free case evaluation form.
