yep...I got one too..but (Deanna are you reading this?) I have a representative already and she said that the first denial is just their way of asking for more information....she was expecting it...so we are gonna keep going. I dont feel dicouraged and I hope that anyone else who is doing this realizes that this is just part of the process....I am gonna get it done..and so is Deanna..
Lets kick some butt!!!!
Keeping my thoughts with ya! Good luck!! Thanks Lizzie!!!! Cheesy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
It must be hard work keeping your spirits up through the process. Cheering for you. I'm reading it. Sorry that you got the same news, but as you say it's expected. That's how I'm trying to look at it. But I'm still mad at the system. Are you getting any kind of SSI from your state in the meantime. Anyone?
I've had two denials which were expected and it just gets us closer to the ALJ court appeal. We can stick together and eventually we will all win. What kills me is the person (someone I know) who gets it quickly then goes hunting in the mountains for a week on horses! If I could just stand the car ride to the mountains I would think that I was blessed. Take care, Hi everyone, I have posted before but not too often. I saw this "thread" and I'm so surprised that so many people are having a hard time with the approval process. I stopped working in March of 06 when I was diagnosed with RA after two knee surgeries and 6 surgeries later. I also have severe Raynaoud's and Vasculitis. I was on my firm's disability policy wherein they make it mandatory that you file for SSDI, which I did. I was approved within four months. What does the government base it on? Maybe it's the doctor's notes? I wish you all so much good fortune in trying to obtain SSDI as it has taken a huge amount of pressure off me. Apparently, they set me up for review in three years. Ellen Nina. P.S. They sent me to their doctor, where in turn, I was almost immediately approved. Good God. What state do you live in Ellen? We all need to move there. LOL Crunchy babe, you'll be a'ight. Sweet like bear meat. Hah. Don't give up the fight no matter how discouraged or disgusted you get. Stick to your guns. They want you to give up. I applied for SSD in Sept 2003, got denied twice, and got a lawyer. Finally had an administrative hearing April 2006 and was approved. Took a long time to get but was worth the wait. Good luck to all who have applied and are waiting. I, too, went through the whole process of getting 2 denials first. Then I got an attorney who specializes in Soc. Sec. Disability. He got whatever medical records I didn't have and had my doctors fill out forms about what I could & couldn't do. My doctors had been really upset with the system when I had been turned down initially and they all told me they would do anything they could to help me, as it was clear to them I would never work again. I also took pictures of my hands, at my attorney's request, and mailed them to him. He submitted them with everything else. When the ALJ got my case for scheduling a hearing, his office contacted my lawyer and said he was approving me without a hearing. He had enough material that proved to him that I was disabled. From the time I initially filed to the time I hired an attorney and got a fully favorable outcome was almost exactly one year. Best of Luck to you, Crunchy and Deanna. I think if you both have good Soc Sec Dis. attornies, there should be no problem being approved. The time problems sometimes arise, because you have to wait for the ALJ to set up a hearing date. But if everything is done right and the ALJ is so inclined, you could be approved without ever having to go to an actual hearing. Hugs and Blessings, Nini Hi everyone, I have posted before but not too often. I saw this "thread"
P.S. They sent me to their doctor, where in turn, I was almost
I think that I have one issue that is biting me in the ass...I tend to downplay how I am feeling to most people...especially the doctors. I mean if I am in pain or what ever, I will tell them so, but I am not one to tear up or get real emotional about it. I am so matter of fact...and especially when dealing with doctors because I view them and speake to them like colleagues I have this way of maintaining a proffesional decorum. I need to loosen up and be more honost about the way I feel...the way I am in those moments when I "break down". Now I am not saying that this is true of all people, but most wait to see the doctor so they can finally get it all out on the table. I have seen so many others just reallly spill it to the doctors. But I talk to docs the way most people respond when a friend that they havent seen in 6 month asks "how have you been?" I am more likely to just say "well, pretty good. Still fighting RA but nothing unusual there....how about you?" I dont think that saying you are in pain or expressing your frustration at what you cant do is a sign of weakness for anyone else...I dont think it is for me either...but for some reason when I get in there with the doc....I get embarrased to complain and seem like a wimp. so I need a crash course in "getting over it" cause I go back on Monday and it will be the first time I have seen my RD in 10 weeks. He was out of town for my last infusion 8 weeks ago and I saw one of his associates. I have talked to him on the phone about a week after that to let him know that I had to get a steroid injection since my shoulder was locked up. But....I really need to talk to him about my ugggggg.....problems. Cause I know..I am not doing much better than I was last time I saw him, or before Remicade..or ....well ever. I think this will make a difference for me on the way he keeps his notes and then on to disablility. I wonder to if they didnt approve me since I was just dx'd in Feb 06 and didnt stop working untill sept 06. Maybe they are thinking that I could still go back or get better. Also I am sure my age doesnt help me any. I hate to say it..but I am worried that the doctors will think less of me...now that they know I am trying to get disability. Like I am trying to get out of working. I always have this great fear that they all think I am full of sh*t. I dont know why...I really shouldnt care what they think...as long as I get good medical care and my ssd...but it is like any phobia..it is unreasonable but still it remains. Okay...I am up in the middle of the night with a headache that I cant get rid of...and this is what I do when I am in real pain. I distract myself by getting online and writing mile-long posts.
Crunchy, I don't think it's about your saying re: newly diagnosed, etc. I was diagnosed with RA in March of 06, wherein I left on the Family and Medical Leave Act to have my knee surgeries (back to back, one was an emergency). I did not know I had RA until after the surgery and the surgeon saw what he saw and the biopsy told the story. Okay that being said, after 3 months of FMLA it turned into LTD. I started the SSDI process immediately, only 3 mos. after I was diagnosed with RA. I have some other complications like I mentioned above that probably helped. I also do not think it's about crying on your doctor's shoulders and stating the level of pain, etc. I never cried or did anything other than be myself and ask them to take good notes. I think you should continue to be yourself!! Mention to ALL the doctors to please take proper notes and I am in the process of trying to get SSDI. I also spoke with my case worker in Tallahassee ad nausium explaining all the new things that arose wherein she immediately asked those doctors for papers. Please, relax, don't blame yourself, and just tell your doctors to take GOOD notes regarding your situation, pain level. I also spoke with their staff and told them to please rush the paperwork in to SSDI and got everyone cookies for the holidays. I do think it has something to do with your age. And, it seems to also have to do with the SS offices in your area. That's one of things that Binder & Binder said to me. They look at the particular problems that they have had with SS in my area which implies it does vary from one area of the country to another. I do think that they tend to look at the duration of your records with something like RA. I'm sure that my being 49, just under the magical age of 50 has something to do with it. And you are much younger than me. I have both been stoic in the doctor's office and cried. Hasn't made a bit of difference in how I have been treated. They might do nothing more than note that I seem depressed. Well, that helps a lot, doesn't it especially since they don't seem to want to actually treat the depression. I've had some doctors just try to exit the room as quickly as possible. So, be yourself. State what is wrong and I guess we need to ask, "Are you making a note of that?" I love my Cardiologist's way of handling things. He tapes his notes right in the office with you. Of course, that doesn't help with my disability. But it's nice that he is so good about it. Maybe we should just tape record all our appointments from now on. Well, that wouldn't really help. They aren't actually reading the doctor's notes any way. Deanna, I'm sorry your struggling!!! I'm 45 so I don't get how they determine who gets approved and who does not. I thought it was possibly in the notes. . . . They (including the Social Security man who interviewed me) told me in Florida at least 95.9% get denied the first time they apply. Their guidelines are so strict. So I don't get how they do it and why they approved me on the first go round (possibly the three diseases, RA, severe Raynaoud's and Vascular disease, both of which are secondary to the RA). I got lucky (for once). As far as being yourself, I meant we should not feel we have put on an act for the doctor as Crunchy mentioned because she thought she was doing something wrong when the doctors were asking her how she felt. It's hard for me to put into words what I wanted to express to Crunchy so it probably sounded a little funny. Sorry for that. I wish you tons of luck and my prayers are with you!!! - Ellen Nina - Ellen Nina, I didn't find anything negative in what you said. I think you expressed yourself just fin. I just know Crunchy would have a really hard time being anything but herself. That's what I like best about her. Gee, I don't get SS at all. I have a lot more illnesses than you and you're younger. We have about the same rate of denials in AZ. Maybe it was just too close to the holidays and someone was lazy. What is really wierd is that some people they send to a Rheumatologist, some to an Occupational Therapist and some to a Physciatrist. It seems that they are all over the map in their way of handling things. I am very happy you got it first time out. That's really great! I was expecting to be denied because it seems I'm always fighting the system. If you've got any secrets though, pass them along. The rest of us sure could use them. I'm wondering if your education or work history factored into it. For instance, I know that the more you have, the more that they consider you can just go into another field. I can't wait to see what my lawyer says after they review all my files. I am sure that I should not have been denied. I do thank you for being so kind. hello all i was diagnosed in 1995 with graves disease & it has been a downhill battle evr since. I have psoratic arthritis in fingernails so bad i cant even use my thumbs..I was turned down for disability this yr & hired an attorney.ss kept telling me it was good that i had worked numerous jobs all along til 1998 as it showed i kept trying unsuccessfully to hold a job.ot The attorney had me get medical records from 1995 til present. which i did. I had plenty of credits to apply that was not a problem.Attorney finally got back to me & said he could not help because i worked in 1999 & made 7000.00 & because i didnt work in 97 or 98 and then worked in 99 it made me ineligible.because it showed i could work.it wa only 3 days a week saturday,sunday & mondays.sundays was only 3 hrs.i had to stop because i could no longer do it.i finally gave up on ss. basically though i am sol because no one will insure me for any amount of money.i also have disk disease and have several surgies(spinal fusion & eye surgeries(bilateral orbital decompression). I was not susposed to be able to even get out of bed after that.attorney says i dont whine & cry enough about all my ailments.i have insurance now thru my husbands job..the only way i can get it is as part of his group.i am 42 & husband is 53.if he loses his jobwhich has happened before i cannot afford to get any of my meds. I take about 8 regular scripts daily for life.i guess i just have to keep praying that he can work til hes 100.i know medicare isnt much but it would be better than nothing.like last time if he loses job i just have to stop taking all meds again except for the one that keeps me from being comatose if i dont take/ o well done ranting about the system.. luv these boards there is a great deal of info here denise Sugar, Crunchy and I are very active in our disease. They just did an out-of-hand denial. They had to. I have 6 years of medical history showing how difficult it is for me to function and work. Maybe your's is more visual, but then only a physicatrist saw me. I was not given even the opportunity to be seen by any other doctor. Candy, I would see a different lawyer. Those working periods should be seen as efforts to keep working. I'd at least get a second opinion. They might be doing a technical denial of some kind. But I'd want proof. You are allowed to work some and it seems to me that the amount of time you worked would put you under that limit unless you had a really high hourly wage. I believe they call it a "failure to work." Look it up on the www.ssa.gov and then call this lawyer one more time. If you don't get an adequate answer, try a different lawyer. Did you get a letter from SS saying that they denied you on this basis? Or, did the lawyer just pull it out of his own butt? Still, I know that they have funky rules about working/not working and it is basically to screw people over. But if you have an ounce of a chance still, please go for it.
Hey Deanna, Crunchy I like the pictures idea. Take pictures when things are at their worse which seems never to be at the docs office and send them to our lawyers. Can't hurt to try. I had to do that for my rheumy at first because of course I was never badly swelled at my appts. Bonny, the Catch-22 gets worse. Because if you keep on working with this disease, say part-time, your benefits are going to be less because it's based on your income which is shrinking every year. However, if you work over about 0 a month (gross, not net), you will get your claim thrown out on a technical denial because you made too much money. If you do like some women do, quit working because you have a doll of husband who is willing to support you, then they will say you haven't been working (I think this has a 5 year limit but maybe it is less based on what Denise just experienced) and again, you get denied. I think this system really works against women because there is an assumption that either we have a mate to support us or that we are just applying for the benefits just because we don't want to work. That is a supposition on my part, but I think I can easily lay it up against assumptions on their part. And on some jobs, they don't collect SS. Roxy got bit big time with this one. Working for the Park Service, she was paying into a retirement fund instead of SS. So, her benefits are incredibly low IF she gets them. thanks all I applied for ss on my own in june of 2006.I was called into the local ss office(pa) & went over all my stuff with the person there. My husband has a job so they told me that i would not qualify for ssi. as expected i was turned down for ssi by july of 06. No problem i was expecting that.4 x a month(once a week) I called ss security to find out my claim status every time they told me it was still in review waiting on more records etc.nfinally @ the end of october 06 i called as usual & the rep on phone told me it was @ the state agency level.when i inquired as to what agency i was put on hold for 25 minutes. when they finallyt came back on phone she told me that i had been denied back in July & i was past the time to file an appeal.so i told her all the above & she said that they would send me a copy of the denial as i never received any. when 2 wks hAd passed & i still had no letter i called an ss attorney. it took him a week or so to decide if he could take my case & since ss dropped the ball o me i told him i wanted to know what the heck was going on with original claim before a new claim was filed. after another week i received a call from his assistant & told me they had just filled a new claim. i wasnt happy to start all over again but what do ya do..so i gatherd all records & paper work again & sent them to attorney. then he called & he needed records that dated back to 1995 no problem i got them & sent them to him.in the meantime i finally received the copy of the denial fro ss from july when they said i was turned down. This letter was the one i had from ssi denying me. I highlited the line that said it had nothing to do with the disability claim & that it was still being reviewed & sent it off to lawyer. Now lawyer calls me again & said i had this income from 1999 in the amount of 7000.00 & where did i work etc... well i explained that i needed some icome & worked for the delco spca for about a yr. I made minimum wage working 3 days a week. wekl that is to much money you must have worked more than part time. I explained that i did cover for vacatiuons of others & stuff but it was too much. basically he told me something about if it had been after 2001 that i had worked i woulkd be ok but unless i could explain why i made money after i was disabled then he could not help me. so about 2 days later i received a letter from him that he could not help me. soooo to make an extremely long story short i dont know if he ever filed again as he said he did or what .I still have no clue what is going on with the original claim or the 2nd. I guess i shoud find another attorney i dont know what to do. I know i will never work again and all my drs know this as well. o what to do!!!! gotta luv the sytem Denise It sounds like you could sue that lawyer. Certainly report him to the state lawyers association. It is obvious that your case has been completely mishandled from the beginning. One, you should not have to start over on your claim. And, I still cannot see how you have passed SS requirements for income. It doesn't matter any way. You are allowed to try and work. It again, is considered a "failed attempt to work." At this point, I would call different disability lawyers in your area and tell them what's been happening. Don't let them push you off by getting some secretary. You need to talk to a lawyer right away. Emphasize that your case has been mismanaged by another lawyer and your review date is pending. You don't have time to be on any waiting lists. You need a lawyer's advice right now. Also, check in your state if their is a Disability Lawyer's Association. They might help you. Again, emphasize time is of the essence here. You have been mistreated all the way around. Your lawyer has failed you. Write a letter explaining his conduct and send it to your State Lawyers association. You can even cc him on that if you want. However, do check to make sure I'm right about his handling of the case. Just talking to someone in that office might let you know whether or not he was negligent in your case. But I highly suspect that he was. I wish you the very best of luck. Do not give up the good fight. No wonder you are at your rope's end. I think they call it a hangman's noose and you didn't, didn't deserve this kind of treatment. I think thats a good idea deanna i will check into finding another lawyer. SS themselves admitted to me that the dropped the ball on the original claim. i will keep figghting for it denise I took everyones advice & i have a phone meeting with my disability attorney on Monday morning. I have done a little research on the failed attempt to work as well as the sga for 1999.this weekend i plan on coming up with a list of questions for this boob of an attorney & hope he gives me satisfactory info. I also found this NOSSCR online lots of valuable info there if anyone is interested.Gotta stop typing now as my fingers are killing me today..had to clean my bathrooms..the water does not like my hands..thumbs are really hurtin now just OUch!!! ow well it is what it is..also by the way. The pictures of your disability may or may not help with your cases. I submitted photos of one of my bad eye days. Believe me it is not a pretty sight..on these days i cannot leave house because I cannot see nor can i even get my glasses on because of the sever swelling..did i mention i have what they call pseudo tumor cerebri as well..also have slk of eyes.. anyhow ttfn Denise Denise
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and I'm so surprised that so many people are having a hard time with the
approval process. I stopped working in March of 06 when I was
diagnosed with RA after two knee surgeries and 6 surgeries later. I also
have severe Raynaoud's and Vasculitis. I was on my firm's disability
policy wherein they make it mandatory that you file for SSDI, which I did.
I was approved within four months. What does the government base it
on? Maybe it's the doctor's notes? I wish you all so much good fortune in
trying to obtain SSDI as it has taken a huge amount of pressure off me.
Apparently, they set me up for review in three years. Ellen Nina.
immediately approved.
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Sugar, a question. Are you on the companys long term disability? And if
so, do you get both SSI and company disibility? How does that work
exactly?
I live in Florida. Yes to your question. I will always be compensated my salary I received when I stopped working up to age 65. So let's say I made 0.00 a month and my SSDI benefits were 0.00 a month, my LTD company would compensate me the 200.00. I am very fortunate. It took a huge weight off my shoulders. Now I only have to wait one more year for Medicare. I'm still on COBRA from my firm and they extend that 11 mos. if you are considered disabled from the state. So I do wish all of you so much luck. I really think it is the medical records. From the doctors notes, to the MRI reports, x-rays, surgery reports, medications and any and all help you receive. I know that SS wrote to my ortho and asked them why I needed an assisted device, they filled out the form and explained. Stuff like that.
Hi Deanna, I have been online in a few days and I just saw your post. First, thank you for your kind words. I've only had three jobs in my life, all as a legal assistant, so maybe that had something to do with the decision. Also, I'm on verge of possibly losing a toe. When they sent me to the SS doctor, my left foot is in a brace, I was using a walker (only use now when my knees fill with fluid), my right knee was filled with fluid (the Rheumy drained 50cc of fluid out the next day) and my big toe is white and blue. It is difficult to walk. Also, I had to have at least 30 treatments in the hyperbaric chamber to try an get some more oxygen to the toe and get me out of severe pain. Everytime I went to a "new treatment" or another specialist, I contacted my case advisor at Social Security. Also, at the time they thought my toe had an embolism and thought I would need a bypass, so they got hospital records as well because I was admitted. So, maybe because I WAS SO ACTIVE at the time? It has tapered off a little. I'm finally responding to the Humira, my toe is still blue and white but not as painful, my knees are having an MRI today, etc. My prayers are with you!!!
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