posted
To improve your odds of winning your case -- try to match your symptoms and test results with the case definitions for something like chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia or seizures for example.
The reality is that you need at least one doc who will put in writing that you are disabled and they need to specify in detail what work you can or cannot do.
Hubby won his case by writing his own letter and then having the doc print it on their letterhead and sign off on it. Sometimes you have to help yourself.
He did have a lawyer -- but unfortunately we did not hire them until we got into the appeals process. We never even met the lawyer in person. I think we had 2 phone calls and sent one large fax of info.
Our 2nd mistake was not having the doctors letter in the original filing. It was in the appeal but by then the case ad been decided.
It doesn't matter how many docs are against you -- you just need a treating doc who will support your case. There were over 60 docs and hospitals listed on hubby's application. Only 1 or 2 besides his PCP at the time believed he was disabled.
Hubby had completely negative Western Blots and still won. But he did have one positive PCR for lyme. At the time he filed he had not done a SPECT scan but he did have brain lesions show on his MRI's.
We provided tons of medical journal articles to go along with his test results. You need to submit relevant test results with your application yourself. Otherwise if you have lots of docs the tests can get buried in the file and the doc may not actually submit tests but they might just fill out the form from the social security office or just submit office notes.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Another good test that can help with disability claims is a neuropsych exam -- but make sure the person administering the test is lyme literate.
I have no connection to the lawyer in this blog, but the case discussed involved lyme disease so it is relevant to this discussion.
posted
I received it in NY, but I had autoimmune disorders under my belt before lyme was diagnosed. Within a month of diagnosis of Sclero, CFS, and Fibro, I was diagnosed with Lyme. Within 4 months, I was approved, I am 50 years old too. My son went for it at 23 for a back injury (herniated discs), sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, and then lyme and he was denied. We appealed it and still have heard nothing. It takes months for a judge to look at cases. So I figure another 3 months and we will know. He has chronic lyme, he is shot. He does NOT want disability, he wants to be normal and work.
-------------------- 30 Supplements Awaiting new protocol Diagnosed 2nd time 9/08/2011 with positive western blot No co infection Posts: 74 | From Pine Island, NY | Registered: Sep 2010
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
I tried for SSDI due to severe, constant nerve pain in my feet & legs a long time ago, but was denied because of lack of medical documentation (my doctors did not document my symptoms) and insufficient work credits.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- ILADS Annual Conference, November 2012, Boston, MA
Disability Claims and Lyme Disease, Part III: Overcoming the Hurdles:
How to defend against the various justifications for denying coverage, including the mental illness defense and the claim that chronic Lyme does not exist or is not objectively verifiable.
Scott Riemer, Esq - DVD is $15. You can see a four minute video preview at the link above.
Working Together: How providers and lawyers can collaborate to effectively represent their disabled patients
Glenn Kantor, Esq, Mala M. Rafik, Esq, and Scott Riemer, Esq - DVD is $15. You can see a four minute video clip at link above. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
From my experience, they really don't care what you call your malady, it is function or lack of function that has to be documented.
I couldn't get it on Lyme. I used Fibro, CFS and migraines.
I have had one knee surgery, have no cartilage around my patella on either knee from Lyme and had an accident that caused herniated discs in my back and neck.
With so many who are not disabled trying to get a free ride, it makes it hard for the people who really need the disability to get it when they need it. Documentation is everything.
Took me two years and a lawyer to get it.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Judie just posted this at another thread:
How To Talk with Your Physician About Supporting Your Disability Claim
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