posted
this one goes out to those that have gotten social security disability. I was wondering how difficult it this to get and what type of medical information is needed to build your case so you can get it.
Posts: 90 | From NC USA | Registered: May 2002
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
From my experience... I actually thought I could fight SS myself. The paperwork alone was overwhelming. I started with the phone call when I had been gone from my career for 6 mths.
I went back and forth with them for a year. I was denied twice, which is very common. During that time they sent me to a phychologist for evalution. Second denial came shortly after that, so I figured he found capable of work. I hired a lawyer then.
It wasn't until my hearing before the judge that I found out even their head doctor said I was too depressed and mentally could not handle work in any capacity at this time.
The lawyer only had my case for a year before I went and we plead my case with Kentucky & judge. I know other states take alot longer sometimes.
It is so stressful. KY had a doctor at the hearing and he was so lyme illerate, but I had a LLMD and my MD that said she's not capable of handling much workload. I even had to explain why my highly positive 11 bands on IgM was anything.
He thought my IgG should be positive. So I had to fax the famous DR C's how he reads a Western Blot to this duck. He was of the opinion that I had taken abx for over 2 yrs, I should be cured. Tutu rightfully passes along this write from Dr C.
Bottom line I won my case. You will find lots of information on this site about different peoples experience along the way.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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tailz
Unregistered
posted
I got disability pretty easily, but my case was unusual - they weren't finding anything to explain my physical symptoms, but since by then I had experienced about 40 nervous breakdowns, I got my disability based on my psych symptoms alone (anxiety, panic attacks, severe depression, OCD).
If you have seen 25 doctors though and nothing is turning up, shoot for disability based on any psych symptoms. They seem to have no problem giving disability to someone who's losing it emotionally - but if you can't lift your arms above your head and they can't explain it, they expect you to work. The important part I guess is to get an official diagnosis.
Just my observation.
It's good if you have a doctor to go to bat for you, but I didn't. Hang in there.
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
i'll send you my newbie package of 80 pages and the last 25+ are totally devoted to SSDI disability purposes.
with this knowledge and getting your docs to do CORRECT needed forms, you can win;; 1st step, 1st step! but you have to work at it!!!
i'll send that now beore i forget and nap time.
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
Sorry this is such an information overload, but here are links on disability for Lymies.
At the end of the first post is Connie Mac's advice; She does a wonderful job of dealing with the "subjective measures" stuff taht is the downfall of many of us. There are also some functional limitations forms that help.
And be sure you have excellent documentation by your doctor. Most doctors are pretty dreadful at documentation.
You can (and I do) write up your own detailed notes of what you can and can't do, health, etc., and give them to your doctor on a regular basis to be kept as part of your medical record.
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
My first advice is to get an attorney. They are well worth it!
Ask around at support groups in your area, or other patients in your area for names.
The first thing my attorney had me do was have neuro-psych testing. This is what ultimately won my SSDI case for me!
It is objective and if you have neuro Lyme it will probably show your deficits clearly.
I would recommend finding someone who is familiar with Lyme to do the testing. They are more aware of what to look for, at least in my opinion.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
I would recommend finding two doctors that are willing to support your disability and willing to write letter documenting exactly why you can no longer work.
I was denied once, and appealed, i sent in a letter from my new PCP, and was approved shortly after. My specialist that i see would not support me applying for SSDI.
so what i did was took all the lab reports and test results from my specialist to my new PCP so he had them in his file, and when SSDI requested records, viola there they were.
Odds are if you hire an attorney he will know of a dr that will help support your disability.
My experience is the LLMD's ive seen dont like to get involved in disability claims, so best to find other dr that do.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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