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The Five Things That You Must Do to Win Your Social Security Disability Migraine Case
The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t make it easy for headache and migraine sufferers to get the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve. The SSA and Social Security Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) want objective proof of medical conditions – they want to see X-rays, MRIs, EMG / NCV tests, CT scans – but there are no objective medical tests for migraines.
That can make it difficult to win a case, but what’s worse is that SSA and ALJs want confirmation that the migraines are severe and disabling.
How do you overcome these challenges? It starts with your medical records from a headache specialist or neurologist.
What Are the Four Things That Should Be in Your Medical Records
Your case is won or lost in large part based on your medical records.
- A Diagnosis of Your Headaches or Migraines
There is no objective testing, and the diagnosis is one of elimination using the American Academy criteria for the diagnosis of migraines. Make sure the medical records document an analysis of these criteria.
- Documentation of the Severity and Frequency of Your Headaches
Keep a headache diary or log of your symptoms.
- Proof That Your Headaches Are Disabling
The headache diary will go a long way toward helping your doctor document the frequency, severity, intensity, and nature of your headaches or migraines, and how your symptoms impact your functionality. You should have your doctor complete a residual functional capacity form for migraines.
- Getting Regular Treatment and Being Compliant with Treatment Recommendations
If you are not getting treatment monthly and following your doctor’s recommendations, the SSA or an ALJ will doubt how often you have headaches or migraines, how severe they are, and how they prevent you from working. You should get treatment from a neurologist or a headache specialist. A garden-variety family doctor or PCP won’t cut it.
- Hire an Experienced Migraine / Headache Social Security Disability Attorney
Before you stop work and apply for benefits, you need to understand the five-step sequential evaluation test used in every migraine / headache case, what you have to prove, what is in your medical records, the importance of keeping a headache diary, and the need for a migraine / headache residual functional capacity form.