What to document for Chronic Fatigue
Organize disability evidence for longitudinal records, symptom consistency, post-exertional limits, and daily functioning.
| Evidence area | What makes the record more useful |
|---|---|
| Longitudinal Records | Put longitudinal records in date order and identify what question the record helps answer. |
| Symptom Consistency | Track symptom consistency over time: frequency, duration, recovery time, and how it changes reliable activity. |
| Post-Exertional Limits | Connect post-exertional limits to specific activities and work demands instead of using a conclusion without examples. |
| Daily Functioning | Connect daily functioning to specific activities and work demands instead of using a conclusion without examples. |
How Chronic Fatigue affects work function
Describe function in concrete terms that match this condition and the person's actual work history. Useful records may address reliability, pace, attendance, safety, physical tolerance, communication, concentration, or adaptation depending on the symptoms documented in the file.
- Use examples from treatment records and daily activity rather than a diagnosis label alone.
- Identify how often a limitation occurs and how long recovery takes.
- Separate limitations caused by this condition from other impairments when the records allow it.
- Explain treatment gaps, side effects, or inconsistent findings instead of ignoring them.
SSA medical sources for Chronic Fatigue
The Listing of Impairments is one part of disability evaluation. A claim can also turn on the combined medical record, residual functional capacity, past work, and other steps in Social Security's evaluation process.
Questions before an appeal or hearing
- Which longitudinal records records cover the period SSA is reviewing?
- Do the records explain symptom consistency with enough detail to show frequency or severity?
- How does daily functioning affect the claimant's past job duties or reliable attendance?
- What recent record has not yet been added to the disability file?