Suche
Mein Konto
Fighter Andrea S.: PVA ignores ME/CFS and cuts rehabilitation money!
Andrea S. from Vienna is fighting against the cancellation of her rehabilitation allowance despite an ME/CFS diagnosis. The Vienna Higher Regional Court strengthens your rights.
Fighter Andrea S.: PVA ignores ME/CFS and cuts rehabilitation money!
Andrea S.'s story is causing a stir in Vienna. The Viennese has been suffering from ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) for many years, a chronic illness that has serious effects on daily life. Persistent symptoms include extreme fatigue, cognitive impairment and sleep problems. Despite these severe symptoms, Andrea initially received rehabilitation money from the Pension Insurance Institution (PVA) in 2021, which served to provide her with financial support.
But in 2024 the shock came: the rehabilitation allowance was canceled without warning because the PVA thought she was doing better. This decision contradicts medical assessments, which confirm that Andrea S.'s condition has not improved. The Vienna Labor and Social Court initially confirmed this step by the PVA. However, Andrea S. did not give up and turned to the AK Vienna, which filed an appeal.
Court ruling strengthens the rights of those affected
At the end of October, the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG Vienna) ruled in favor of Andrea S. and made it clear that the PVA must examine in detail all private medical findings and the current state of medical science. In this context, the central symptoms of ME/CFS were also highlighted, particularly post-exertional malaise (PEM), which is often ignored. PEM is considered one of the characteristic features of this disease.
What is particularly noteworthy is that the court found that the D-A-CH consensus statement, which provides essential diagnostic and treatment guidelines for ME/CFS, was not taken into account by the PVA. AK Vienna lawyer, Levin Wotke, emphasizes that this decision substantially strengthens the rights of those affected by ME/CFS. In the future, medical experts will have to look much more closely at the findings presented and provide good reasons for deviations.
Criticism of the quality of medical reports
Another important point from the ruling is the requirement that courts must examine the quality of medical reports more strictly, especially in the case of complex illnesses such as ME/CFS or Long Covid. This issue shows how dramatic the challenges are for patients suffering from little-known and often misunderstood diseases.
The fate of Andrea S. is not only a personal drama, but also highlights the need for improved care and recognition of diseases such as ME/CFS. Those affected must receive the support they need, and medicine and society must become more sensitive to such issues. The decision of the Vienna Higher Regional Court shows that there is progress here. Nevertheless, it remains to be hoped that other similar cases will be treated with more empathy and medical expertise in the future.
For detailed information about the background to these developments, we recommend taking a look at the reporting from Today and ORF Vienna.