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I'm sure I've seen this topic here before but don't remember the discussion. I'm getting to the point that it is very difficult to keep up my full time work schedule. I need medical coverage so most part time employment is out and not sure if that is option either. My LLMD says I cannot get disability just by having Lyme Disease even though it is the reason. Any discussion about this? Has anyone successfully received Disability?
Posts: 33 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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What about any other diagnoses you may have? Depression, Anxiety, CFS, Fibromyalgia? The Social Security Admin needs a diagnosis and then they go on your functional info. Be detailed with them and very, very specific.
-------------------- aperture Posts: 551 | From Louisville, KY | Registered: Nov 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Resources for Disability, Insurance, Dealing with HMOs
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I do not agree with the disability advocate who states:
"For an illness like Lyme disease, patients can demonstrate that their condition is medically determinable by submitting articles and treatment guidelines about the nature of Lyme disease and the proper method of diagnosis."
You can submit articles all you want, but that's not going to help anything.
You need to go after trying to verify the existence of the factors that are keeping you disabled: excruciating pain, bone-crushing fatigue, inability to concentrate, depression, side effects of treatment, etc, etc. The total disabling picture.
Lyme itself is not considered (by SSA standards) an impairment that will last 12 mos or result in death. However, all of the additional diagnoses that come along with Lyme indicate a severe picture.
The disability examiner will request all records from all dr's and look for any diagnoses and symptoms. If there is not sufficient info, they will send you to a random Dr for a consultantive exam. They will also ask you and a friend/family member to fill out forms to verify how you function day to day.
Verify all of your unsuccessful work attempts (ie: frequent absences, need for medical leave, etc).
SSA does not care if your Dr says you are disabled. They only look at his/her diagnoses and signs/symptoms.
You don't need a lawyer. They don't do anything that you cannot do yourself, but they do take a big chunk of your benefits. You just need to be extremely thorough and specific.
The reason this guy was approved is because he was EXTREMELY thorough and detailed and his records backed it up:
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Thank you for the input. I will checkout the links. I have plenty of documentation of diagnoses of depression, anxiety disorder, visits to pain doctors,neurologists, even a disappointing visit to the Cleveland Clinic,etc. but the bulk of that was about 6-7 years ago. Since Lyme diagnosis I of course quit seeing all the other specialists knowing it would lead nowhere. How recent does the medical documentation need to be? I am still seeing a psychiatrist 4 time a year just for anxiety medication check ins and refills and the pain specialist a few times a year for checkups. She is a DO who can prescribe medication but specializes in alternate treatments, i.e., manipulation, acupuncture, physical therapy, etc. Do I have to start all over in seeing doctors just to have updated documentation?
Posts: 33 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I would think you would want current documentation from the Dr's who know you. Or else, you risk being sent to a Dr you've never met for a consult.
Be sure you let your Drs know the total extent of your suffering and how it's affecting your life, so they can document it.
If/when you apply for Disability, be sure to tell SSA about everything. Go back as far as possible to show a good history. It's better to over-verify than provide too little info.
-------------------- aperture Posts: 551 | From Louisville, KY | Registered: Nov 2011
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