SSDI

[lfoster21]

I am wondering if the different states are different in the easiness of hardness of being accepted. I know that in my brother's situation, in CA, he was specifically told that the reason that he was denied (at every level), even though he had no use of his legs and was in a wheel chair 100% of the time, that since he still had use of his arms...he was denied. Also, for my 1st 3 denials in VA, they stated that my pain was well acknowledged by all the Drs. and qualified as a disability, but that because I had use of my arms, I could get a job. The Judge at my hearing said that he was going to accept it as a disability at the hearing level, only because on top of what I origianlly had mentioned, I now also had the bladder problem and had a history of depression. (I had not mentioned the depression in the original application).

Did your letter of approval state the reasons that you were approved? I'm thinking that maybe the different states vary in the no. of applications that get approved. Either way, I am thrilled that you were able to get it right away. Good going!

[mistreated]

We do have an SS Atty

[AQA]

Ifoster21, the first time I was denied. The reason for that was lack of medical documentation ( my fist dr. had retired ). That was when I got pro-active and sent in the form that my treating dr. filled out about me. As far as a letter telling me why I was approved. The only thing it said was that I was disabled.

Mistreated, I am glad to hear that you have an attorney, but I would still be as active as I could in the claim. With that being said, I would also make sure that I did not interfeere with the attorney.

[lfoster21]

I agree with AQA. I took all my Dr. reports with me to the hearing, just in case the lawyer was missing anything...and sure enough, I had reports that he had not been able to get. So, be prepared to take whatever you have, with you.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[e3mrk]

AQA Wrote:An attorney handling a SS claim can only charge 25% of back pay, up to $5300.00.

As far as the initial question. What kind of work can he do????? Voc rehab would be involved with training for the job.

With that being said, I can move both my legs and arms. quess what??? I qualified for SSDI. As I am am typing this, I am also reading the form that my treating dr (neuro-surgeon) filled out and I sent to SSA. The issue of whether or not I was employable was based on the issue of standing and sitting. I can not do either for an extended period of time.

I did not have to have a hearing to get approved. If I were you, I would be very pro-active in the situtation. I would contact the treating dr. and get some type of report and response to the question. Does he/she think your husban should apply for SSDI. I woudls also submit that info at the hearing.

Take Care

[e3mrk]

Hi.
Sorry to hear about the problems.
I can say that the Law Judge will look at all of Your Husbands problems,Not just His Neck when making His decision and the Rehab Person will look to see if Your Husband has any Skill that can be transfered to another line of Work and if He can be re-trained to do any other Work.
You don't say how old Your Husband is but They also take His age into consideration when making the decision.
I had a Microdiscetomy/Laminectomy and have nerve damage,I also was a Truck Driver and heavy Mechanic.
The Rehab Guy told the Law Judge that taking My injuries and Age and what I have done for twenty years into consideration that it was highly unlikely I could be retrained neither would I be able to find another Job My skill could transfer to so I was awarded full disability.
I hope this helps.
Good Luck.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Well said e3mrk.

Also a note; I too was followed by a PI working for Social Security. I had found out when the person reviewing my case had said to that he noticed I had problems going up and down my stairs in front of my home. I said well yes, but how did you know. He then told me about the PI watching me. It was at that point the decision was made to pass my application on to the medical review board, and the guy that called me said he was signing it and stating request approval for SSDI Award. it was 90 days from time of the application that I was then Award SSDI.

Age, skills, skills being transfered, other medical conditions not related to workmens compensation, current FCE test helped my case, at that time I think I had performed 2 or 3 of them. Just current medical reports isn't always enough. When I applied for SSDI, I brought ever refference there was to all my current medical conditions, copies (on paper) of my Xrays, yes you can copy them to paper, you name it, I turned it all over. I left them one day 1 with a folder more that an inch thick, just from my stuff. I will say, day 1 when filing is one of the most important days of the whole process, having every single thing, copies of everything, all reports, all test, everything related to ones current medical state must and should be present on day 1.

As I have been hearing from many, even a friend of mine having now failed L5 S1 surgery was denied SSDI. he obtained an SS Attorney from me and another friend as is currently seeking another hearing, his first hearing had a Voc rehab person there that said he could work in a different field. He did later tell me, he didn't listen when people said bring everything with you on day to apply. it only showed to have bit him in the end, and now has hearing after hearing.

[mistreated]

My husband is 48 and quit school in the 9th grade. All he has ever done is drive a truck. He drove till 3 years ago when the Dr put him off work. At that time it was blood pressure was uncontrollable. And now even if his pain spikes-so does his blood pressure. He is on a walker and it is ordered from ther. We average 2-3 appts a month for him. The Ortho supports his Dis. The Dr completed a form for the Atty and like I posted earlier his surgery is scheduled for the day after his Hearing. I have the documents where it is already scheduled.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

In a general sense they the SSDI people use the age of 50 as it cut-off point.

I too never finshed High School, that still doesn't mean a person can't get a GED are follow on to more training.

What I am say is this might be things they will say is all.

He would need Medical Documents supporting the treatment for High Blood pressure. medically it is a fact that pain will raise ones blood pressure, this is a natural body function sensing pain.

Has any Doctor ever offered and Anti-Depression Medication to help support his pain levels. This is a good question to bring forward to his Doctor (s).

If been DX with depression, it helps obtaining SSDI a little easier.

Might I ask why did it take 2 years before getting a SSDI hearing, in many cases when one has an Attorney it doesn't take that long?

Having Spinal surgery after hearing, if they know this, they could say hearing is continued till results of surgery have been seen. Surgery can help make one better, and they will know this.

[mistreated]

We filed in TN and the normal back log is 23 months. We originally filed at the SS office in 10-06. Got the first denail in 2-07. Got an Atty and filed the appeal in 04 -07 got the 2nd denial in 07-07 and now we have the Hearing date. The first denial said not enough medical evidence. It was only 3 weeks after he was diagnosed with teh stenosis and DDD. 2nd denial read that his diseases qualified but because he could still move arms and legs he didn't qualify. Now his blood pressure is well documented, the stenosis is in the MRI results and the first surgery, the DDD is in the medical files and that is what this surgery coming up is for, and the nerve tests have been done and the carpel tunnel has also been diagnosed now. The braces are for the CTS. The limitations are he can only stand a while, sit a while, cannot lift more than 3lbs. And yes he was diagnosed by a Psychologist for depression. He takes medicine to help him sleep and for the depression. (Cymbalta)