Re: SSDI: anyone with experience, I need your advice!

[Guest guest]

Steve,

I would definitely file for reconsideration and if they deny that (which

is highly likely since they deny about 90% of all appeals), then apply

for the trial hearing as this is where most of the approvals are done. I

was originally denied my claim and I was also denied my appeal, both

listing that my problems were controlled by medication, and they

completely dismissed my claims of not being able to concentrate, memory

loss and attention lapses and loss of accuracy, all of which were things

that my job required I have. I got a lawyer when I first applied SSDI

and they did all the work for me. I ended up requesting a trial hearing

and the judge who was given my case approved me for disability after

reading my file. He didn't even require me to come to a hearing, just

approved my case. It turned out that what helped my case the most was

the exam I had by their psychologist, who confirmed that I had major

attention and memory problems that made it pretty much impossible for me

to do my job, so if they had a psychologist examine you for depression

and they agreed that you had the problems, then you shouldn't have any

problems in getting an approval in the trial hearing. However, don't be

surprise if you have to actually go to the hearing, as I was told that

it was incredibly rare for the judge to approve disability soley on

reading the applicants file like they did for me. I just wanted to let

you know that those denials are nothing personal, they just

automatically deny a majority of initial claims and appeals. Horrible I

agree, but that is the system as it currently stands.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

Steve,

They aren't rational people at all, in most cases. I originally applied for

SSDI

after my hospitalization a year ago where I had diabetic ketoacidosis and

pancreas burn-out. So far I've been denied twice, and now I'm waiting for my

hearing date before a judge. My first denial was received in Sept., 4 months

after application, I reapplied within 30 days, and the second denial was

received 6 months later. With the first denial, they used that expression that

" although I experience discomfort due to my pancreatitis, this pain can be

controlled by medication " . That's what THEY think!! I sure wish that were

true. Since you and I received exactly the same quotation, I think that's a

pretty standard pancreatitis comeback for them on the first denial. In the

second denial, they said that " medical evidence further indicates that I am

receiving ongoing treatment for pancreatitis " . Well, duh....two more

hospitalizations and another two inches of medical records.......but that

doesn't mean that it's any better! Yet that statement was all they wrote, as if

the ongoing treatment was all that was necessary.

Since the first denial, I've been using the PAI recommended Washington, DC

disability attorney firm of Doherty, Cella, Keane & Associates. I've also seen

a physician selected by them for a mental assessment. They've already

conceded that my impairments show that I'm unable to perform the complex

tasks of my profession of the last 18 years, alas, but that I " could carry out

simple, one-step tasks " ......I guess I could work as a sheep counter, or

something equally as stimulating.

The kind of narcotics that I'm taking now prohibit me from driving much of the

time, much less perform any type of work with any reliability. My doctor is

writing a letter concerning the driving restrictions, and we plan to address the

narcotic medications issue with much more force than previously. I also have

sanitary conditions and time concerns because of my brittle diabetes

requirements that weren't addressed before, which will be, this time around.

I would suggest that you get an attorney that specializes in disability cases,

and that you push the medication issue as strongly as you can. That, on top

of pushing your depression problems, may be enough, but if you have more,

I'd list it all. I have a host of other medical problems which they

overlooked,

too, just as though they weren't mentioned. And none of these other

problems are getting any better, either. All I can say to you, is to keep

listing

them, with backup updates on all of them, showing declines whenever or

wherever you can. Also have your doctor do an updated letter reviewing your

condition, the fact that it hasn't improved, with mention of any declines that

have occured since your first application.

If you have any other questions you think I might be able to help with, please

post again.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should not be

substituted for professional medical consultation.