Sleep is vital to our existence, yet it remains poorly understood even by scientists and doctors. Sleep disorders, in particular, can become a deep drag on your daily energy levels and ability to function, leaving you few choices but to explore disability options. In this article, you will learn all about how sleep disorders are treated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in Florida, including:
The SSA evaluates sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy by examining how these conditions affect your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). Your RFC represents your ability to perform work-related tasks on a consistent basis.
Unfortunately, sleep disorders are not listed impairments in the SSA’s Blue Book, but they can still be considered disabling if they significantly impair cognitive function, concentration, memory, or physical stamina. This is established using the SSA’s five-step sequential evaluation to determine eligibility, considering medical evidence, work history, and the severity of symptoms.
Proving this impairment is vital and may require more work than many more obvious conditions. But with the help of a skilled disability attorney, it is certainly possible.
The most persuasive evidence of sleep-related disorders and the impairment they cause includes:
Following American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines strengthens your credibility, and having a disability lawyer review and present your claim may also increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Attorney Claudeth Henry is a dedicated disability advocate based in Ocala, Florida, who has helped countless clients successfully navigate the SSA’s disability claim process, including for sleep-related disorders. As a former registered nurse with over 20 years of legal experience, Claudeth understands the healthcare and Social Security systems like few others, and will be proud to help you obtain the benefits you need.
Do you have a sleeping disorder or other disability that is keeping you from working in Florida? Contact CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC, today to schedule an initial consultation.
Yes, the SSA policy explicitly states that side effects of medications, such as fatigue, confusion, dizziness, or gastrointestinal issues, must also be considered when evaluating functional limitations. These side effects can be treated as symptoms that contribute to your disability.
It is therefore crucial that you report all such side effects to your doctor and ensure that they are documented in medical records, as the SSA relies heavily on objective evidence when making decisions on disability claims.
Frequent errors you should be sure to avoid when making your disability claim in Florida, especially for sleep disorders, include:
To avoid a denial of your claim and benefits, you should maintain detailed, consistent records and follow all medical advice.
If your disability benefits claim is denied, you MUST file an appeal! Doing so involves submitting one of the required forms (e.g., SSA Form 561 – Request for Reconsideration or SSA Form 3441 – Disability Report – Appeal), preferably with the help of an attorney.
There are required deadlines to appeal a decision, and you need to make sure you meet them, or you may lose your chance and have to start over. Remember that the payment of benefits is based on application dates, so if you make a new application instead of an appeal, you will lose out on potential past benefits.
One of the worst parts of having a sleep disorder is getting other people to understand and respect it; yet this task becomes even more important when your financial independence and health depend on it. Fortunately, the SSA recognizes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) as a medically determinable impairment when supported by clinical signs and lab findings.
To explain its impact, you will have to describe how fatigue limits your mental capabilities, such as your concentration, memory, and stamina. Try to provide examples of daily limitations, such as needing frequent naps or being unable to complete tasks.
Use medical records to show key symptoms like non-restorative sleep, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive dysfunction. Be sure to always include co-occurring conditions like depression or fibromyalgia as well if applicable.
Judges look for objective evidence and functional limitations, not just a diagnosis, so it is important to back up your experiences with concrete details and formal evidence. A skilled disability lawyer will help you collect and present this evidence to maximize the strength of your claim.
For more information on sleep disorders and SSDI claims in Florida, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (352) 304-5300 today.
Attorney Claudeth Henry is a dedicated disability advocate based in Ocala, Florida, who has helped countless clients successfully navigate the SSA’s disability claim process, including for sleep-related disorders. As a former registered nurse with over 20 years of legal experience, Claudeth understands the healthcare and Social Security systems like few others, and will be proud to help you obtain the benefits you need.
Do you have a sleeping disorder or other disability that is keeping you from working in Florida? Contact CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC, today to schedule an initial consultation.