I am hoping to apply for disability, but in order to do so I must submit records from all of my doctors to the social security administration. I am hesitant to submit any of the records from my Lyme doctors because I want to protect them. Is it better to just not mention the Lyme at all when applying?
Does anyone have experience with applying for disability? Our doctors have been so good to us and I would hate to jeopardize them in any way.
Thank you!
Posts: 91 | From USA | Registered: Apr 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Much can depend upon the state in which you live.
Talk with the leaders of your state lyme support groups.
ILADS' conferences have addressed this topic in the past. You might get the DVDs on those presentations.
posted
I mentioned everything in my application. I don't think the SSA and the medical boards are connected in any way (I could be wrong), so I don't think our doctors are being jeopardized. I've found it quite strange how disconnected government entities really are from each other. It's actually frustrating sometimes.
My Lyme doctor close to home actually says in his paperwork that he'll fill out the disability stuff for you after your 3rd visit.
I listed the coinfections I tested positive for too, along with depression, anxiety, POTS, gastroparesis, etc, etc. I'm very sick though, so there are more than enough medical records to back up all these diagnoses.
I also mentioned that we lost our house and moved in with my in laws, that my wife had to quit her part-time job to take care of me full-time, etc etc. All the unfortunately true stuff that is evidence that I really am very sick.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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posted
Thank you all so much for the responses. Unfortunately, our local LLMD does not fill out disability paperwork anymore.
Posts: 91 | From USA | Registered: Apr 2014
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posted
I second what Lymetoo says. My PCP actually filled my stuff out, not my Lyme doc. At the time I hadn't yet seen my Lyme doc 3 times.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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posted
Did your PCP diagnose your Lyme? As long as your records from them show your disabled and unable to work, that's all that matters. Many people with Lyme have applied for disability and I'm sure many used both PCP's and their Lyme docs.
Posts: 27 | From Nor Cal | Registered: Jan 2016
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