RE: Anyone with SSDI experience/knowledge? ()

[Guest guest]

Thank you . I have been trying to get rid of him, but as I said,

none of the other rheum's in my area have an opening for a new patient

for 4 months out. I had scheduled with one and have my first appointment

1 week after the hearing. The appt. was scheduled before I found out

about the hearing date. I do think my primary physicians reports will

directly contradict the rheum's as far as my pain levels, mobility

(immobility), etc.

I don't know if they will leave my case open pending evaluation from my

new rheumy. My period of Insured?? Has expired since my application so I

am told this hearing is my last shot with no eligibility for an appeal.

I'm hoping if I take the advice of the others in this group about the

documentation, letters, highlighting the details as well as the obvious,

etc. that I will at least have a chance.

Thank you

Rick

www.whosyomama.com

Re: [ ] Anyone with SSDI experience/knowledge?

>

> Ability to function on a daily basis is clearly one of the factors a

> judge will look at. It is important to highlight those things that

will

> put your case in the best light. You will be asked age, work

experience,

> education/training and then ability to function - particularly in a

work

> place- questions. Age is gridded out - the older you are the better

your

> claim- inasmuch as SS believes you really can't teach an old dog new

> tricks. 50 is approaching advanced age...and I believe 55 and older

is

> considered advanced age- meaning the likelihood of retraining from

> previous employment is slim. If you can only stand 10 minutes -say so.

> If you can't sit for very long- say that. If you can't walk upstairs

or

> walk any distance - highlight that so it becomes part of the record.

If

> you cannot do housework say so. If you don't sleep well- mention it.

If

> you can only work for a few hours at home- then need a nap- say so -

> very few employers will work with you on those t! hings. Your hearing

is

> no place to be a hero- if you hurt and are depressed - tell the ad law

> judge. But also be realistic. We periodically see clients who say they

> can only sit for a half hour at a time and then sit through a three

hour

> hearing. If you need to stand up - sit down- move around- ask

permission

> of course- but do do it. If you can travel at all - always ask for an

in

> person hearing so the judge can put a name face and problem together.

> You will likely be asked severity of pain- be honest. Don't downplay

but

> be honest. If you are able to attend a hearing with or without pain

> meds for example - it is highly unlikely your pain level that day is a

> 10 out of 10 ( see where I am going here? ).

>

> Let me give you an example - A hairdresser, who has worked primarily

or

> only as a hairdresser- with a high school diploma and tech school

> training who is 50 years old and has RA may have a successful case if

> she can demonstrate that she can no longer stand for long periods of

> time; needs frequent rest periods, has trouble with her handsetc. Her

> medicals are not unimportant but they aren't the only thing. They will

> demonstrate - hopefully - the RA diagnosis- that she is under a Dr. 's

> regular care; that she takes more than tylenol for pain- what meds are

> being used is critical- and if a Dr. says she is unable to work - all

> the better. Does this make sense?? I'd be happy to answer a few more

> specific questions - but this is what we look at when we look at and

> review a file for merit when we send it on to our pro bono counsel who

> do these cases.

>

>

>

>

> > In a message dated 02/05/2004 20:06:24 Central Standard Time,

> > natesmom4@... writes:

> >

> >

> > > You may include anything in the file yourself. It doesn't just

have

> to be

> > > from a doctor. I had my three other children write letters for

the

> file in

> > > their own words of what their brother is like, what he has done,

> what they see

> > > in their own eyes.

> >

> > This is also how my sister was approved the first time. She wrote

how

> her

> > disease affected her daily life. I wrote how it has changed her and

> our

> > relationship, her husband, doctors, and our parents wrote. I guess

> they really

> > need

> > it spelled out not only the medical part, but how it affects daily

> living.

> > Cary

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear that your primary will contradict the other reports in some

essential areas. Despite what you have told me - do at least ask that the record

be kept open until your new doctor can send report. All the ALJ can do is say

no.

Again, best wishes,

> Thank you . I have been trying to get rid of him, but as I said,

> none of the other rheum's in my area have an opening for a new patient

> for 4 months out. I had scheduled with one and have my first appointment

> 1 week after the hearing. The appt. was scheduled before I found out

> about the hearing date. I do think my primary physicians reports will

> directly contradict the rheum's as far as my pain levels, mobility

> (immobility), etc.

> I don't know if they will leave my case open pending evaluation from my

> new rheumy. My period of Insured?? Has expired since my application so I

> am told this hearing is my last shot with no eligibility for an appeal.

> I'm hoping if I take the advice of the others in this group about the

> documentation, letters, highlighting the details as well as the obvious,

> etc. that I will at least have a chance.

>

> Thank you

>

> Rick

> www.whosyomama.com

> Re: [ ] Anyone with SSDI experience/knowledge?

> >

> > Ability to function on a daily basis is clearly one of the factors a

> > judge will look at. It is important to highlight those things that

> will

> > put your case in the best light. You will be asked age, work

> experience,

> > education/training and then ability to function - particularly in a

> work

> > place- questions. Age is gridded out - the older you are the better

> your

> > claim- inasmuch as SS believes you really can't teach an old dog new

> > tricks. 50 is approaching advanced age...and I believe 55 and older

> is

> > considered advanced age- meaning the likelihood of retraining from

> > previous employment is slim. If you can only stand 10 minutes -say so.

> > If you can't sit for very long- say that. If you can't walk upstairs

> or

> > walk any distance - highlight that so it becomes part of the record.

> If

> > you cannot do housework say so. If you don't sleep well- mention it.

> If

> > you can only work for a few hours at home- then need a nap- say so -

> > very few employers will work with you on those t! hings. Your hearing

> is

> > no place to be a hero- if you hurt and are depressed - tell the ad law

> > judge. But also be realistic. We periodically see clients who say they

> > can only sit for a half hour at a time and then sit through a three

> hour

> > hearing. If you need to stand up - sit down- move around- ask

> permission

> > of course- but do do it. If you can travel at all - always ask for an

> in

> > person hearing so the judge can put a name face and problem together.

> > You will likely be asked severity of pain- be honest. Don't downplay

> but

> > be honest. If you are able to attend a hearing with or without pain

> > meds for example - it is highly unlikely your pain level that day is a

> > 10 out of 10 ( see where I am going here? ).

> >

> > Let me give you an example - A hairdresser, who has worked primarily

> or

> > only as a hairdresser- with a high school diploma and tech school

> > training who is 50 years old and has RA may have a successful case if

> > she can demonstrate that she can no longer stand for long periods of

> > time; needs frequent rest periods, has trouble with her handsetc. Her

> > medicals are not unimportant but they aren't the only thing. They will

> > demonstrate - hopefully - the RA diagnosis- that she is under a Dr. 's

> > regular care; that she takes more than tylenol for pain- what meds are

> > being used is critical- and if a Dr. says she is unable to work - all

> > the better. Does this make sense?? I'd be happy to answer a few more

> > specific questions - but this is what we look at when we look at and

> > review a file for merit when we send it on to our pro bono counsel who

> > do these cases.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > > In a message dated 02/05/2004 20:06:24 Central Standard Time,

> > > natesmom4@... writes:

> > >

> > >

> > > > You may include anything in the file yourself. It doesn't just

> have

> > to be

> > > > from a doctor. I had my three other children write letters for

> the

> > file in

> > > > their own words of what their brother is like, what he has done,

> > what they see

> > > > in their own eyes.

> > >

> > > This is also how my sister was approved the first time. She wrote

> how

> > her

> > > disease affected her daily life. I wrote how it has changed her and

> > our

> > > relationship, her husband, doctors, and our parents wrote. I guess

> > they really

> > > need

> > > it spelled out not only the medical part, but how it affects daily

> > living.

> > > Cary

> > >

> > >

> > >