Last post Thu, Oct 09 2008 1:33 PM by Gerbil20. 20 replies.
I APPLIED AND WAS DENIED ON MY INITIAL APPLICATION. MY CONDITIONS INCLUDE FIBRO, ARTHRITIS, SLEP APNEA , DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.MY DENIAL LETTER STATED IT WAS DENIED BECAUSE MY CONDITIONS WERE NOT SEVERE ENOUGH FOR DISABILITY. I KNOW THAT THEY DID RECIEVE ALL OF MY MEDICAL RECORDS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE DOC THAT WAS NOT ALL THAT IMPORTANT ANY WAYS.I SENT THEM A PACKET THAT INCLUDED INFO ON FIBRO AND ALL OTHER ILLNESS THAT I GOT OFF OF GOVERNMENT SITES AND I HIGHLIGHTED ALL THE IMPORTANT POINTS. LETTERS FROM FRIEND AND FAMILY. MY PAIN JOURNAL ENTRIES , A LETTER I WROTE MYSELF EXPLAINING HOW I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED ALONG WITH A COMPLETE SYMPTOM LIST AND INFO ON SIDE EFECTS OF ALL MY 21 MEDICATIONS.I ALSO SENT A COPY OF MY HANDICAP PARKING PERMIT AND WRITE UPS FROM FORMER EMPLOYER AND EVAL INFO THAT SHOWED A DECLINE OVER TIME. ALL OF THIS AND SOME OTHER THINGS WITH A VERY COMPLETE APP AND IT WAS STILL DENIED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY ONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW I MIGHT STRENGTHEN MY CLAIM TO SHOW SEVERITY. ANY SUGGESTIONS IDEAS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE .
Hey Nett, Welcome to Disaboom. I don't know how old you are, but I have heard from more than one person that if you are under age 50, expect your initial appeal to be denied. I have also heard they do that even if you are over 50!
I was 45 when I began the process. Don't use my case as an example, but it took me 2-1/2 years from the time of my initial interview to get approved. Part of that was my lawyer's part, because the jerk didn't send in my paperwork right away right before my hearing. Also, the judge took over a year to decide on my appeal. Bad judge.
I hope you asked for an appeal??? You should get a lawyer too, one that is familiar with SSD. You will have to pay him a part of your settlement, 20% and/or up to $5,000 I think, but it's a great help. They take care of the paperwork not you. Also, if you don't, God forbid, get SSD, you don't have to pay them. If you don't get it, there is a third appeal, so don't worry. It sounds like you were very thorough with your documentation. I can't think of anything to add.
If you have any SSD questions, don't hesitate to send me a message. Hang in there. It's a pain in the butt process. I wish you the best.
Becky
p.s. They denied me because they didn't expect my condition to last for longer than 12 months. I had told them in my initial interview that I was probably going to have my right lower leg amputated!!! Idiots, what do they know, eh? Don't get disheartened!!!!
Hello nettbooboo,
welcome to Disaboom.
Daisies
WELCOME TO A GREAT SITE ! GOOD LUCK
welcome netto
i also have fibromygia it took me 3 yrs to get my ssd
get yourself a lawyer
you have all your paperwork so thier isnt anything you can
do other then get the laywer
i was wonder have you had any phyicial theripy
and if not why?
it was one thing that ssd required from me im in upper new york
i had seen 14 different doctors and 2 different pts
before i finally got my ssd i also walk with a 4 prong cane
i was diened twice before so just keep it going as wel as you can
good luck and let us no how things are going
THANKS FOR REPLYING TO MY POST . BY THE WAY IM 38. IF YOU THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE,LET ME KNOW.
THANKS DAISIES, GLAD TO BE HERE.
THANKS RAINEY. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE SO HELPFUL AND NICE.
HI , ANIAMALOVER , NO I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PT. MY DOCTOR DID MENTION THAT IT MIGHT BE AN OPTION,BECAUSE I AM NOT RESPONDING WELL TO ANY OTHER TREATMENTS AND MY MEDS ARE NOT OF MUCH HELP EITHER. SO, MAYBE I WILL TELL HER LETS GO AHEAD WITH IT. HAS IT HELPED YOU MUCH.
Hi,
I thought I would write a short note and tell you to hang in there. And the others are right get a lawyer. I am on my second appeal and will shortly have my appeal hearing before the judge. I have plenty of medical evidence and the lawyers have been a big help. I have Chronic Fatigue/Fibro, a form of arthritis, diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, cataracts forming, GERD, obesity, an adhesions disorder, chronic pain from that, 6 surgeries in 5 years. I just got a letter from my Reumy for a handicapped parking sign, I have really thought about getting a cane to help me on my really bad days. So, it sounds like you have done everything right. It has taken a little over a year sor me to get to this point. I hope it works out for you. I know we all need it very badly when we can no longer work. Hang in there and don't give up.
Pam
Hi nettbooboo,
My name is Janine (craftymama310)
I will repeat what the others have said with a great deal of urgency! Get plenty of Doctor, medical documentation everything helps.
Get a lawyer that specializes and knows the system. There are organizations that will not charge you anything. It is well known that the first and some second times are rejected. Mine was also. I know of someone who did not have a leg and could not walk or work at all for other reasons and they rejected him!
Do not go with out some one to represent you in this it is well worth it. They will tell you if you have a chance at all. If they say you do not have a chance go to someone else.
If you are still denied take all the appeals do not give up. Good luck I hope all works outs for you.
Welcome! If it helps at all I used a lawyer from the time I got my first denial. I used Binder and Binder, or am using, they have been wonderful and have moved as quickly as possible on everything. I received a notice that I will have an appeal hearing coming up shortly. This is my second appeal. I am in PT and that would be a good idea to start that. Not only can they help you manage your disease better but it will help your case too. Just a suggestion. Have a wonderful day and don't give up. It takes much patience for this process. Unfortunetly.
Gentle Hugs,
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Appeal, appeal, appeal. But it can be done on your own (albeit a pain) without a lawyer. I would suggest getting a lawyer if you can afford for them to take 20% of your check every month. I couldn't. My case manager stated that pretty much every application is denied right off the bat, so almost everyone is approved on appeal.
One thing you said makes me say to you "Never assume anything." I would not assume they got copies of your medical records unless you sent them yourself. Get copies of all your records and send them youself with the appeal. And not just medical records but involve your doctors in getting letter written why they think you would be a good canadate for SSDI. Friends and family letters are nice, but doctors have more impact.
That's all I have.
