Opinion ID: 2966248
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Lack of Objective Evidence

Text: The Liberty analyst handling Cook's claim concluded that there were no clinical objective findings to support the fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome diagnoses. She added that Dr. Blackwood's assessment of Cook's condition appeared to be based on just [Cook's] subjective complaints. Although this analyst asked Dr. Blackwood for copies of all diagnostic testing and a copy of the complete pulmonary function test, she did not receive this information. Liberty sought evidence from tests that were independent of Cook's reporting of her symptoms. In many instances, such a requirement would be justified. However, as we have recognized, [d]iagnosing CFS is not sport for the short-winded. Rose v. Shalala , 34 F.3d 13, 18 (1st Cir. 1994). [T]here is no 'dipstick' laboratory test for chronic fatigue syndrome. Sisco v. HHS , 10 F.3d 739, 744 (10th Cir. 1993). See also Vega v. Comm. of Social Security , 265 F.3d 1214, 1219 (11th Cir. 2001) (We note that the Social Security Administration recently concluded that there are no specific laboratory findings that are widely accepted as being associated with CFS.). Given the nature of Cook's disease, it was not reasonable for Liberty to expect her to provide convincing clinical objective evidence that she was suffering from CFS. (10) See Mitchell , 113 F.3d at 443 ([I]t would defeat the legitimate expectations of participants in the [] Plan to require those with CFS to make a showing of clinical evidence of such etiology as a condition of eligibility for LTD benefits.).