For those who have never suffered from a migraine headache, it may be difficult to understand how truly debilitating these headaches can be. Victims often are unable to work or perform simple daily tasks during an attack. There’s no cure for chronic migraines and no foolproof way to prevent them. So, for frequent sufferers, this can mean significant financial instability caused by time missed from work. These migraine sufferers may seek chronic migraine disability benefits through Social Security as a way to offset some of those losses.
In order to submit a successful disability claim involving chronic migraines—also called primary headache disorder—the Social Security Administration needs evidence that you were diagnosed with this condition and that you've undergone regular treatment. There are no definitive tests to diagnose migraines. However, the diagnosis can be made based on the patient’s reported symptoms, a history of the condition, and additional tests performed to rule out other causes.
Social Security has to establish a primary headache disorder as a medically-determinable impairment. They won’t approve disability benefits based on your doctor's statement about your symptoms alone. In addition to your doctor’s diagnosis of a primary headache disorder you must provide supporting medical evidence like MRI or CT scans, notes from your doctor citing the frequency and severity of your recurring headaches, emergency room or hospitalization records, your headache diary, and statements from friends or family about your condition. We also strongly recommend that you submit records of your treatments and medications and proof that you are complying with treatments prescribed by your doctor.
Our experience has shown that migraine headache disability cases are complex and difficult but they are winnable. At Cuddigan Law you have a dedicated team of professionals in your corner who understand the system and who will fight for your rights. Call us for a free evaluation of your case.