Scoliosis

pip12345

poppy123456 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

@chiarieds you mentioned that lordosis or scoliosis shouldn't effect mobility. I'm not questioning your knowledge but both conditions can affect a person's gait which has an impact on balance and coordination. Furthermore scoliosis causes uneven hips which can put pressure on hips which may eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Also scoliosis causes uneven shoulders which can put pressure on shoulders.

The chiropractor did mention I do not have a single condition, rather it is systemic where the cause is unknown but one thing is having an effect on another.

I agree arm injury doesn't effect mobility, but mobility can excarbate arm pain due to indirect pressure (chatgpt answer).

I agree with both of the above posters that PIP is a points based system and that is how the benefit is awarded and you should match your symptoms with the descriptors.

However, a diagnoses is important evidence and is relevant to how describe how your disability affects you. On a technical point it is all about the balance of probabilities. The more evidence you have the greater chance you have of being successful as the balance of probabilities swings more to your direction.

I also agree with you regarding scoliosis. I suffer with scoliosis (although it is not my main disability) and I can confirm I have the same problems with balance, coordination and gait. Also I have problems with my left arm where due to the twist in my spine arthritis has been diagnosed in the shoulder area. So with respect to the above poster you are wrong.

Spot on about balance of probabilities. I disagree that showing how a condition effects you without an official diagnosis lowers the chance of being awarded on balance of probabilities. 

Whilst I do not disagree that claimants in the past have been awarded without treatment/diagnosis it is an exception rather than the rule. 

When I had an official diagnosis for arthritis in the hand, it was very difficult for the health assessor not to award me points albeit she awarded me points on the lower end 

However, it is proven that the more evidence provided makes it more likely the benefit will be awarded

Do you have a link to confirm that please? 

On my pip2 form I mentioned I have trigger finger. Although no scans or anything to confirm. Only my attendance at GP.

My GP sent me for an MRI. Days before my telephone assessment I received my scan results and I was diagnosed with arthritis and subluxation.

On the health assessor report there was absolutely no mention of trigger finger, but repetitive mention of subluxation and arthritis.

This indicated that a diagnosis by a specialist held the most 'weight'.

chiarieds

Wilf60 said:

However, a diagnoses is important evidence and is relevant to how describe how your disability affects you. On a technical point it is all about the balance of probabilities. The more evidence you have the greater chance you have of being successful as the balance of probabilities swings more to your direction.

I also agree with you regarding scoliosis. I suffer with scoliosis (although it is not my main disability) and I can confirm I have the same problems with balance, coordination and gait. Also I have problems with my left arm where due to the twist in my spine arthritis has been diagnosed in the shoulder area. So with respect to the above poster you are wrong.

You talk about the balance of probabilities, yet mention your own personal circumstances to give credence as to why you consider me  wrong.

As pip12345 has said they have mild scoliosis, I stand by what I say, & an assessor wouldn't likely consider that arm pain when walking, on the balance of probability, was linked to this, sorry. Even their chiropracter has said, 'it's a bit of a stretch.'

The main point is that you list your diagnoses (or when difficulties started if undiagnosed) at the beginning of a PIP claim form, then go on to describe exactly how your disability affects you, as we all agree. However this has to relate to the descriptors, & whether or not you can do these 'reliably.'

I have Chiari 1 Malformation associated with a genetic disorder. I didn't even mention this in my PIP claim, but did describe exactly how it affected me. I didn't mention it, as at the time, even specialists didn't understand about this association, so provided no 'evidence' other than my own anecdotal evidence.

I also have a recurrent 'trigger thumb,' & yet again, with no evidence, other than my own, just said how it affects me, & that I wear a silver ring splint as an aid. With a trigger finger then similarly it could improve on its own, or with the help of steroid injections, or be helped by the wearing of a splint. Joint subluxations are again a different matter, & worth investigating. I speak as someone who has this due to my genetic disorder, which has also caused early onset of osteoarthrosis for which I provided no evidence either. One wonders how I was awarded PIP! Over 50% of PIP claimants who have provided no medical evidence whatsoever are actually successfully awarded PIP.

I don't know why a MRI would be needed to diagnose trigger finger/thumb as it's rather obvious when trying to bend then straighten the affected joints. Subluxation/complete dislocation are again obvious when a joint is out of place, tho a MRI would be helpful in diagnosing osteoarthrosis.

Wilf60

chiarieds said:

Wilf60 said:

However, a diagnoses is important evidence and is relevant to how describe how your disability affects you. On a technical point it is all about the balance of probabilities. The more evidence you have the greater chance you have of being successful as the balance of probabilities swings more to your direction.

I also agree with you regarding scoliosis. I suffer with scoliosis (although it is not my main disability) and I can confirm I have the same problems with balance, coordination and gait. Also I have problems with my left arm where due to the twist in my spine arthritis has been diagnosed in the shoulder area. So with respect to the above poster you are wrong.

You talk about the balance of probabilities, yet mention your own personal circumstances to give credence as to why you consider me  wrong.

As pip12345 has said they have mild scoliosis, I stand by what I say, & an assessor wouldn't likely consider that arm pain when walking, on the balance of probability, was linked to this, sorry. Even their chiropracter has said, 'it's a bit of a stretch.'

The main point is that you list your diagnoses (or when difficulties started if undiagnosed) at the beginning of a PIP claim form, then go on to describe exactly how your disability affects you, as we all agree. However this has to relate to the descriptors, & whether or not you can do these 'reliably.'

I have Chiari 1 Malformation associated with a genetic disorder. I didn't even mention this in my PIP claim, but did describe exactly how it affected me. I didn't mention it, as at the time, even specialists didn't understand about this association, so provided no 'evidence' other than my own anecdotal evidence.

I also have a recurrent 'trigger thumb,' & yet again, with no evidence, other than my own, just said how it affects me, & that I wear a silver ring splint as an aid. With a trigger finger then similarly it could improve on its own, or with the help of steroid injections, or be helped by the wearing of a splint. Joint subluxations are again a different matter, & worth investigating. I speak as someone who has this due to my genetic disorder, which has also caused early onset of osteoarthrosis for which I provided no evidence either. One wonders how I was awarded PIP! Over 50% of PIP claimants who have provided no medical evidence whatsoever are actually successfully awarded PIP.

I don't know why a MRI would be needed to diagnose trigger finger/thumb as it's rather obvious when trying to bend then straighten the affected joints. Subluxation/complete dislocation are again obvious when a joint is out of place, tho a MRI would be helpful in diagnosing osteoarthrosis.

I was referring to arm pain which I suffer with because of scoliosis. Also why won't mild scoliosis cause the mobility symptoms the poster is describing. I find the description by the poster of those symptoms credible as I suffer the same symptoms or are we both wrong just because you say so?

Wilf60

poppy123456 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

@chiarieds you mentioned that lordosis or scoliosis shouldn't effect mobility. I'm not questioning your knowledge but both conditions can affect a person's gait which has an impact on balance and coordination. Furthermore scoliosis causes uneven hips which can put pressure on hips which may eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Also scoliosis causes uneven shoulders which can put pressure on shoulders.

The chiropractor did mention I do not have a single condition, rather it is systemic where the cause is unknown but one thing is having an effect on another.

I agree arm injury doesn't effect mobility, but mobility can excarbate arm pain due to indirect pressure (chatgpt answer).

I agree with both of the above posters that PIP is a points based system and that is how the benefit is awarded and you should match your symptoms with the descriptors.

However, a diagnoses is important evidence and is relevant to how describe how your disability affects you. On a technical point it is all about the balance of probabilities. The more evidence you have the greater chance you have of being successful as the balance of probabilities swings more to your direction.

I also agree with you regarding scoliosis. I suffer with scoliosis (although it is not my main disability) and I can confirm I have the same problems with balance, coordination and gait. Also I have problems with my left arm where due to the twist in my spine arthritis has been diagnosed in the shoulder area. So with respect to the above poster you are wrong.

Spot on about balance of probabilities. I disagree that showing how a condition effects you without an official diagnosis lowers the chance of being awarded on balance of probabilities. 

Whilst I do not disagree that claimants in the past have been awarded without treatment/diagnosis it is an exception rather than the rule. 

When I had an official diagnosis for arthritis in the hand, it was very difficult for the health assessor not to award me points albeit she awarded me points on the lower end 

However, it is proven that the more evidence provided makes it more likely the benefit will be awarded

Do you have a link to confirm that please? 

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/money/pip-supporting-evidence-help-claims-28930072

Wilf60

poppy123456 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

@chiarieds you mentioned that lordosis or scoliosis shouldn't effect mobility. I'm not questioning your knowledge but both conditions can affect a person's gait which has an impact on balance and coordination. Furthermore scoliosis causes uneven hips which can put pressure on hips which may eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Also scoliosis causes uneven shoulders which can put pressure on shoulders.

The chiropractor did mention I do not have a single condition, rather it is systemic where the cause is unknown but one thing is having an effect on another.

I agree arm injury doesn't effect mobility, but mobility can excarbate arm pain due to indirect pressure (chatgpt answer).

I agree with both of the above posters that PIP is a points based system and that is how the benefit is awarded and you should match your symptoms with the descriptors.

However, a diagnoses is important evidence and is relevant to how describe how your disability affects you. On a technical point it is all about the balance of probabilities. The more evidence you have the greater chance you have of being successful as the balance of probabilities swings more to your direction.

I also agree with you regarding scoliosis. I suffer with scoliosis (although it is not my main disability) and I can confirm I have the same problems with balance, coordination and gait. Also I have problems with my left arm where due to the twist in my spine arthritis has been diagnosed in the shoulder area. So with respect to the above poster you are wrong.

Spot on about balance of probabilities. I disagree that showing how a condition effects you without an official diagnosis lowers the chance of being awarded on balance of probabilities. 

Whilst I do not disagree that claimants in the past have been awarded without treatment/diagnosis it is an exception rather than the rule. 

When I had an official diagnosis for arthritis in the hand, it was very difficult for the health assessor not to award me points albeit she awarded me points on the lower end 

However, it is proven that the more evidence provided makes it more likely the benefit will be awarded

Do you have a link to confirm that please? 

Medical evidence for PIP

Medical evidence is crucial when applying for PIP and usually takes the form of a letter or report from your GP, consultant or other healthcare professional.

Medical professionals can explain what your condition is, your treatment and how the condition affects your everyday life.

Not all healthcare professionals are able or willing to write supporting letters, and they are not obliged to do so, but it is worth asking them and stressing how it could help your claim - just be aware they can charge a fee for writing this letter or report

pip12345

My 2 pence would be ... A judge will ask if you have so and so condition why didn't you seek medical attention.. in the end it all boils down to balance of probabilities.

Again, any cases won without medical evidence would be the exception rather than the rule.

A poster above mentioned 50% of cases are win without medical evidence, I would ask for proof of this as that is a staggering percentage.

chiarieds

Wilf60 said:

I was referring to arm pain which I suffer with because of scoliosis. Also why won't mild scoliosis cause the mobility symptoms the poster is describing. I find the description by the poster of those symptoms credible as I suffer the same symptoms or are we both wrong just because you say so?

I find the manner of your reply disrespectful. I didn't say that pip12345's description of their arm pain wasn't credible, instead acknowledged their arm pain saying it was good they were getting this investigated.

You obviously know more about this than I, so I'll leave you to read your reputable source of info on PIP (Daily Record) upon which you rely, but I hope pip12345, like most people, will not!

@pip12345 - I'll have to ask you to believe me about over 50% of claimants with no medical evidence being awarded PIP. I know this from a Welfare Rights Officer who helps benefit claimants with tribunals, etc. who often said this to stress that a claimant's anecdotal evidence is the most important thing. Anyway I wish you well with your MR.

Wilf60

pip12345 said:

My 2 pence would be ... A judge will ask if you have so and so condition why didn't you seek medical attention.. in the end it all boils down to balance of probabilities.

Again, any cases won without medical evidence would be the exception rather than the rule.

A poster above mentioned 50% of cases are win without medical evidence, I would ask for proof of this as that is a staggering percentage.

Answer your own question, why didn't you seek medical attention? I'm not sure that is as important as you think. The important thing is that you have the condition, it affects you enough for you to fit one of the descriptors.

The only time I have seen PIP application without evidence succeed is when it absolutely obvious that someone fits the criteria. For example legs or arms have been amputated, obvious serious mental or learning difficulties etc.

If you have any kind of invisible disability then you would be expected to provide medical evidence. I am willing to be proved wrong but I don't believe that for one minute 50% of PIP applications are being passed without any medical evidence

poppy123456

Wilf60 said:

poppy123456 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

@chiarieds you mentioned that lordosis or scoliosis shouldn't effect mobility. I'm not questioning your knowledge but both conditions can affect a person's gait which has an impact on balance and coordination. Furthermore scoliosis causes uneven hips which can put pressure on hips which may eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Also scoliosis causes uneven shoulders which can put pressure on shoulders.

The chiropractor did mention I do not have a single condition, rather it is systemic where the cause is unknown but one thing is having an effect on another.

I agree arm injury doesn't effect mobility, but mobility can excarbate arm pain due to indirect pressure (chatgpt answer).

I agree with both of the above posters that PIP is a points based system and that is how the benefit is awarded and you should match your symptoms with the descriptors.

However, a diagnoses is important evidence and is relevant to how describe how your disability affects you. On a technical point it is all about the balance of probabilities. The more evidence you have the greater chance you have of being successful as the balance of probabilities swings more to your direction.

I also agree with you regarding scoliosis. I suffer with scoliosis (although it is not my main disability) and I can confirm I have the same problems with balance, coordination and gait. Also I have problems with my left arm where due to the twist in my spine arthritis has been diagnosed in the shoulder area. So with respect to the above poster you are wrong.

Spot on about balance of probabilities. I disagree that showing how a condition effects you without an official diagnosis lowers the chance of being awarded on balance of probabilities. 

Whilst I do not disagree that claimants in the past have been awarded without treatment/diagnosis it is an exception rather than the rule. 

When I had an official diagnosis for arthritis in the hand, it was very difficult for the health assessor not to award me points albeit she awarded me points on the lower end 

However, it is proven that the more evidence provided makes it more likely the benefit will be awarded

Do you have a link to confirm that please? 

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/money/pip-supporting-evidence-help-claims-28930072

The daily record? Are you serious? I’ll say no more about that one. 

Yes more than 50% of people successfully claim PIP without medical evidence. This did indeed come from a welfare rights officer. Here you go, it didn't take long to find what i was looking for. https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/12855/#59781 the comments in that thread speak for theirself and come from the experts... welfare rights officers.

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

My 2 pence would be ... A judge will ask if you have so and so condition why didn't you seek medical attention.. in the end it all boils down to balance of probabilities.

Again, any cases won without medical evidence would be the exception rather than the rule.

A poster above mentioned 50% of cases are win without medical evidence, I would ask for proof of this as that is a staggering percentage.

The only time I have seen PIP application without evidence succeed is when it absolutely obvious that someone fits the criteria. For example legs or arms have been amputated, obvious serious mental or learning difficulties etc.

If you have any kind of invisible disability then you would be expected to provide medical evidence. I am willing to be proved wrong but I don't believe that for one minute 50% of PIP applications are being passed without any medical evidence

Ok, let me tell you my daughter’s story. I first claimed PIP for her in 2017, before she had any diagnosis and at the time she was waiting for an ASD assessment. 

I had no medical evidence at all because she hadn’t seen anyone at that time. 

Her conditions are not physical and she has all of her limbs. If you seen her you would think there was nothing wrong. 

The forms were filled in and returned. She had a home assessment at that time. About 7 weeks later she was awarded Enhanced for both parts. 

Later in 2018 she was finally diagnosed with ASD, learning disability and social anxiety disorder. She’s retained the same award since then and had 2 reviews. 

So no, you do not need medical evidence for a successful PIP award! Many members post here having successfully claimed PIP despite having no medical evidence. 

honeyhoney

I am also a supporter of "anecdotal evidence"

... but tell me how to refute these idiotic statements:

"Evidence shows you have no specialist input for any musculoskeletal condition"

"Evidence shows you have no specialist input for you mental healt and confirmed your prescribed medication is effective"

"You currently have no input from mental healt care and report you medication is effective."

If I base my MR solely on "anecdotal evidence" the answer will be the same. "There is no input..."

The above quotes come not from the HP report (I'm still waiting) but from my DM decision.
 And they are practically the main justification for the negative decision.

So how do I solve this?

chiarieds

@honeyhoney - these are unfortunately 'cut & paste' responses that mean very little, & can be refuted. Please see: https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/17167

If you could find somewhere local to you, & hopefully a Welfare Rights Office, they may be able to help. Try

https://advicelocal.uk/  choosing 'Welfare benefits' from the drop down menu.

You do not need any new 'specialist input' for a MR, as a new decision maker will look at everything again. Many people have no input whatsoever yet are successful, so don't let this put you off. The success rate for MRs is however unfortunately not great, but currently 68% of PIP tribunals result in a successful award. So, your time doing a MR is still relevant as this will be seen by a tribunal (if needed).

Please put your MR in writing, & don't concentrate on the assessor's report, rather your decision letter.

Do give reasons as to where you feel you should have gained points, & exactly why.....your anecdotal evidence remains important, so try to give a couple of examples.

chiarieds

Wilf60 said:

The only time I have seen PIP application without evidence succeed is when it absolutely obvious that someone fits the criteria. For example legs or arms have been amputated, obvious serious mental or learning difficulties etc.

If you have any kind of invisible disability then you would be expected to provide medical evidence. I am willing to be proved wrong but I don't believe that for one minute 50% of PIP applications are being passed without any medical evidence

Hmmm, I have an invisible disorder, so not an amputee, nor someone with a mental health nor learning disability of any sort. I had had no specialist input for over a decade when I applied for PIP, so why was I awarded?

One should not however base anything just on your own personal opinion, as that is all that it is. What matters is what those who help benefit claimants the most know, as poppy thankfully found. In the absence ot WROs poppy has the most benefits knowledge of anyone I know. Sorry you didn't believe me; I do not lie.

poppy123456

chiarieds said:

Wilf60 said:

The only time I have seen PIP application without evidence succeed is when it absolutely obvious that someone fits the criteria. For example legs or arms have been amputated, obvious serious mental or learning difficulties etc.

If you have any kind of invisible disability then you would be expected to provide medical evidence. I am willing to be proved wrong but I don't believe that for one minute 50% of PIP applications are being passed without any medical evidence

Hmmm, I have an invisible disorder, so not an amputee, nor someone with a mental health nor learning disability of any sort. I had had no specialist input for over a decade when I applied for PIP, so why was I awarded?

Same for me, when i applied in 2013. When i mentioned my daughter in a previous comment, i completely overlooked myself. 

It's misleading for anyone to say that you would be expected to provide medical evidence for a PIP claim, if you have invisible conditions.

honeyhoney

chiarieds said:

@honeyhoney - these are unfortunately 'cut & paste' responses that mean very little, & can be refuted. Please see: https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/17167

I realize it's "copy and paste" unfortunately.

In my MR, at the beginning I intend to use each of these "copy&paste" quotes and refer them to the "new evidence", e.g. when it comes to "mobility", short copies available in the NHS App,
which I can print and which confirm how long I have been under the care of a GP and a physiotherapist. Also referred to "Dynamic Healt"

When it comes to mental problems, I have letter that confirm how long and how many sessions I had with my psychologist (CBT Theraphy) and further referral to the mental healt team.

Also "new" which I didn't take much into account but in my application it is my serious deafness.

I will then go through each descriptor where I think I should get points using "anecdotal evidence"

Does this make sense?

pip12345

If HA agrees with your anecdotal evidence. All and well.

If they don't as we see alot of this from posters.

Medical records are used to effectively dispute this.

Or else it's your word against HA who will be classed as a professional.

A professionals testimony holds greater weight in court.

As much as you might be correct you want to avoid court as much as you can.

Go the extra mile now and it will be easier down the line.

It's not what you know but it's what you can prove...

Wilf60

Hmmm, I have an invisible disorder, so not an amputee, nor someone with a mental health nor learning disability of any sort. I had had no specialist input for over a decade when I applied for PIP, so why was I awarded?

One should not however base anything just on your own personal opinion, as that is all that it is. What matters is what those who help benefit claimants the most know, as poppy thankfully found. In the absence ot WROs poppy has the most benefits knowledge of anyone I know. Sorry you didn't believe me; I do not lie

Hmmm, There are always anomalies and without seeing your case in full we can't make a sweeping claim that all claims will be the same as yours. I have been involved in hundreds (not just one) of different PIP applications for all kinds of different conditions and I stand by all I have said. Go into an application without the proper evidence and your chances of success are less than with it. Common sense

Wilf60

Same for me, when i applied in 2013. When i mentioned my daughter in a previous comment, i completely overlooked myself. 

It's misleading for anyone to say that you would be expected to provide medical evidence for a PIP claim, if you have invisible conditions

Misleading to say that you would be expected to provide medical evidence for PIP? Take your statement to its logical conclusion and anyone would be able to claim PIP for any condition by claiming it is invisible. I base my opinion on hundreds of PIP claims I have been involved with not just one personal experience. Health Assessors rightly expect to see evidence of a condition and its affect. That evidence can come in a number of different forms but it is a requirement in the overwhelming amount of cases

Wilf60

honeyhoney said:

I am also a supporter of "anecdotal evidence"

... but tell me how to refute these idiotic statements:

"Evidence shows you have no specialist input for any musculoskeletal condition"

"Evidence shows you have no specialist input for you mental healt and confirmed your prescribed medication is effective"

"You currently have no input from mental healt care and report you medication is effective."

If I base my MR solely on "anecdotal evidence" the answer will be the same. "There is no input..."

The above quotes come not from the HP report (I'm still waiting) but from my DM decision.
 And they are practically the main justification for the negative decision.

So how do I solve this?

Honeyhoney your are correct it will be difficult for you to challenge those statements with your MR I have seen many similar decisions over the years. Should you give up? Hell no. The way I always advise claimants in your circumstances is to find evidence with a view to going to tribunal. New evidence can be submitted to support your claim at any time during the process. 

Ask to view your medical records. If you have been prescribed medication for Mental Health reasons then there must be a record of this with either your GP or MH specialist. This can then be submitted as evidence. If you can't get the evidence before the MR is due back then recall from memory why you were prescribed medication in the first place and submit the official evidence later.

Is the medication working as stated? I assume not, because the DM would be correct in stating your condition has been stabilized by medication and that would result in no points being awarded for prompting.

You can submit a statement from a carer (a professional carer, family member or friend) who provides care for you. This care could take the form of prompting (to wash, cook, dress, eat, interact with others etc). Providing you are receiving this prompting then on the balance of probabilities your medication is not working as stated and you would be entitled to receive the points in those descriptors.

honeyhoney

Thanks... when it comes to medications, yes I have access to my "reapet prescribed medication" via NHS apps or better yet I send them the stickers from my blister pack that I have prescribed by the pharmacist for every 4 weeks.

I have 45 mg of Mirtazipine as an anti-depressant (the highest dose) which puts me to sleep practically all day long, but he says it's effective.

Wilf60

poppy123456 said:

Wilf60 said:

poppy123456 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

@chiarieds you mentioned that lordosis or scoliosis shouldn't effect mobility. I'm not questioning your knowledge but both conditions can affect a person's gait which has an impact on balance and coordination. Furthermore scoliosis causes uneven hips which can put pressure on hips which may eventually lead to osteoarthritis. Also scoliosis causes uneven shoulders which can put pressure on shoulders.

The chiropractor did mention I do not have a single condition, rather it is systemic where the cause is unknown but one thing is having an effect on another.

I agree arm injury doesn't effect mobility, but mobility can excarbate arm pain due to indirect pressure (chatgpt answer).

I agree with both of the above posters that PIP is a points based system and that is how the benefit is awarded and you should match your symptoms with the descriptors.

However, a diagnoses is important evidence and is relevant to how describe how your disability affects you. On a technical point it is all about the balance of probabilities. The more evidence you have the greater chance you have of being successful as the balance of probabilities swings more to your direction.

I also agree with you regarding scoliosis. I suffer with scoliosis (although it is not my main disability) and I can confirm I have the same problems with balance, coordination and gait. Also I have problems with my left arm where due to the twist in my spine arthritis has been diagnosed in the shoulder area. So with respect to the above poster you are wrong.

Spot on about balance of probabilities. I disagree that showing how a condition effects you without an official diagnosis lowers the chance of being awarded on balance of probabilities. 

Whilst I do not disagree that claimants in the past have been awarded without treatment/diagnosis it is an exception rather than the rule. 

When I had an official diagnosis for arthritis in the hand, it was very difficult for the health assessor not to award me points albeit she awarded me points on the lower end 

However, it is proven that the more evidence provided makes it more likely the benefit will be awarded

Do you have a link to confirm that please? 

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/money/pip-supporting-evidence-help-claims-28930072

The daily record? Are you serious? I’ll say no more about that one. 

Yes more than 50% of people successfully claim PIP without medical evidence. This did indeed come from a welfare rights officer. Here you go, it didn't take long to find what i was looking for. https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/12855/#59781 the comments in that thread speak for theirself and come from the experts... welfare rights officers.

Wilf60 said:

pip12345 said:

My 2 pence would be ... A judge will ask if you have so and so condition why didn't you seek medical attention.. in the end it all boils down to balance of probabilities.

Again, any cases won without medical evidence would be the exception rather than the rule.

A poster above mentioned 50% of cases are win without medical evidence, I would ask for proof of this as that is a staggering percentage.

The only time I have seen PIP application without evidence succeed is when it absolutely obvious that someone fits the criteria. For example legs or arms have been amputated, obvious serious mental or learning difficulties etc.

If you have any kind of invisible disability then you would be expected to provide medical evidence. I am willing to be proved wrong but I don't believe that for one minute 50% of PIP applications are being passed without any medical evidence

Ok, let me tell you my daughter’s story. I first claimed PIP for her in 2017, before she had any diagnosis and at the time she was waiting for an ASD assessment. 

I had no medical evidence at all because she hadn’t seen anyone at that time. 

Her conditions are not physical and she has all of her limbs. If you seen her you would think there was nothing wrong. 

The forms were filled in and returned. She had a home assessment at that time. About 7 weeks later she was awarded Enhanced for both parts. 

Later in 2018 she was finally diagnosed with ASD, learning disability and social anxiety disorder. She’s retained the same award since then and had 2 reviews. 

So no, you do not need medical evidence for a successful PIP award! Many members post here having successfully claimed PIP despite having no medical evidence. 

You won;t comment on the Daily record article because it proves you complete wrong. If you don't like that link how about https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/claiming-personal-independence-payment-pip/get-personal-independence-payment-pip-documents https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-supporting-evidence/
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6426d932fbe620000f17da60/easy-read-supporting-information-for-personal-independence-payment.pdf