disabilty

[acer 455]

      Does anyone know if you can use the Dx of unspecific conective tissue disease is good enough for a disabity claim?

[Reanne]

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/14.00-Immune-Adult.htm


See if this link helps you any.

[Doxie]

Acer,

I believe you can use any diagnosis for disability. What you will need to do is to prove that it is severe enough that it prevents you from working. So you will want documentation from the docs as to how the the disease is affecting your body, how it is affecting your ability to work.

I would start keeping a Journal on how it is affecting you.  Start gathering all lab results, etc.   

It doesn't matter what your diagnosis is.  How severe is it? They really like lab work and imaging too! Something concrete. You may not have that. So what your doc puts in his notes is important. Do a search for disability on this site too. There are a lot of tips that people have given to help with how to prepare and document when applying for a disability. 

I know it helped me when I went through applying for disability.  Good luck!

[grammad97]

My dx for disability uses sjogrens and mixed connective tissue disorder.

[MaryBee7]

Acer, YES, keep a diary daily.  Be specific.  I'm doing this right now as I will be applying soon.  My application will be for Primary Sjogren's "only" (ha) with complications.  So the diary/journal is Key for listing complications and specifics about how those affect you.  Be prepared for the docs to take you to the bank on copying fees for records.  I'm finding they generally want $10 to $20 for the first batch then charge .25 to .50 per page after that.  What a racket.  My lawyer gave me forms to take to docs but it specifically states at the bottom of the request form "Bill patient" for charges.  So I'm putting money aside as I can and collecting all this on my own.  Am also scanning everything and saving on a USB. 

You'll need everything you can get, even if it was only a 1 time doctor visit.  I'm also collecting all my dental records as I have had triple-mega dental problems which are only getting worse (another complication of Sjogren's). 

[slccom]

Look at the posts on this board about the subject. There is a lot of good advice here. And good luck!
Sharon

[quietdynamics]

Acer, YES, keep a diary daily.  Be specific.  I'm doing this right now as I will be applying soon.  My application will be for Primary Sjogren's "only" (ha) with complications.  So the diary/journal is Key for listing complications and specifics about how those affect you.  Be prepared for the docs to take you to the bank on copying fees for records.  I'm finding they generally want $10 to $20 for the first batch then charge .25 to .50 per page after that.  What a racket.  My lawyer gave me forms to take to docs but it specifically states at the bottom of the request form "Bill patient" for charges.  So I'm putting money aside as I can and collecting all this on my own.  Am also scanning everything and saving on a USB. 

You'll need everything you can get, even if it was only a 1 time doctor visit.  I'm also collecting all my dental records as I have had triple-mega dental problems which are only getting worse (another complication of Sjogren's).

WOW...my lawyer subpenaed all the medical information. I paid nothing. I gave him a list of all the Drs and contact info, and the lawyer coached me on how to answer questions. Focusing on how my health condition affected my ability to perform my work.
I had heard a program on NPR (National Public Radio) topic Disability, they talked about finding a lawyer who specialized in disability and was a member of NOSSCR, so that is what I did. I never even had to go to court, I got a phone call saving I was approved for disability. I actually thought it was a joke. 
Google NOSSCR, National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives , and you can find an accredited Disability Attorney

[Doxie]

I actually never used a lawyer.  I went to my docs and got copies of my records. Some of them charged me a bit for that.

I don't think the DDS used the copies I gave them. They told me they needed the copies straight from the doctors.  I kept in touch with the DDS and found out which docs I needed to call and remind to get their records sent in.

I did get a copy of a functional form I gave to one of my doctors that he filled out and included with his records. I think it really helped.

[MaryBee7]

Yes, the Residual Capacity Form is  very important.

On the other, may be different parts of the country...?  But I know 2 disability lawyers personally, one is with a large firm and doesn't ask clients to pay for records up front, but that's also with the thought that those costs will be added to anything they charge if you win.  The lawyer I'm using works independently now after 20 years with another, their specialty was disability claims.  I trust this woman completely.  If you sign off on records going to another doctor there is no charge.  I wanted to have my own copies and be able to gather them faster this way.  Am putting everything into a binder, separated by topics such as lab tests.   Received one batch by mail today, from one of our 2 local hospitals, with an invoice inside for 16 bucks!  It is understandable...paper is expensive, and many times our files are thick.  Also include in that the time a staff person spends to work multiple patient requests for records.

I made the decision to get a lawyer from the start because she knows every nook and cranny of this often intimidating process.  One missing piece of info and your file is closed...with no notice given to you.  This has happened to several people I know.  With my cognitive issues and brain fog, I am more often than not "messing up" on paperwork, writing tasks, etc.  All this is why I chose to get assistance.

[susanr]

Hi - I was approved for SSDI in June after 6 months which surprised me a little after the horror stories of denial after denial. I was denied the first time which was expected, but shortly thereafter I got a letter saying no court hearing necessary and I was approved. I do believe the company that assisted me did a great job if anyone is interested and they have an informative web site. The help they gave me with the sea of forms and questions was invaluable. Their name is Allsup and I would recommend them highly. They do not receive any payment until and unless you are approved. I was lucky to have supportive Drs which helps too. I have SS (ANA positive but antibodies have been negative), Raynauds, IBS (chronic nausea, abdominal pain, bloating,motilty issues), interstitial cystitis, post thyroid cancer, fibromyalgia, lots of tendonitis (especially in hands), peripheral neuropathy and arthritis my Dr feels is Sjogrens related and not RA but he also sometimes codes it as UCTD.
Hope that helps!
Susan

[MaryBee7]

Be grateful to have a doc who will complete the RFC form, sometimes they just won't do it, claiming they don't have the time.  This too has happened to a few folks I know. 

Have any of you that have been approved been examined by Social Security's medical examiners? 

[eyeamdry]

Please be aware that it doesn't have to be the doc you would think would go to bat for you.  I filed for disability (pre-diagnosis) because of a botched Lasik surgery.  My Lasik surgeon told me that I would never get disability for that issue.

Well, guess what?  I did get it and I got it in 10 weeks and no attorney.  I remembered my GP saying to me that "your eyes should be an easy disability for you."  Well, I had another medically necessary eye surgery (cataract) and my vision was even worse.  I started the process with my GP.  He knew darn well how to fill out the forms.  I made an appointment to see him, went in with the paperwork and he filled it out right with me there.  When it came to the Lasik guy, I made an appointment and brought the paperwork for him to fill out.  Do you think he wanted to say the reason I was "disabled" was because of his screwey surgery?  I used the GP's filled out form as a template for him to fill out his part of my papers. 

I doubt he really didn't know how to fill the papers out.  I had an example right on his desk so he had no excuse.  As I said it may not be the dr you think should do it.  If you have a bad operation and become disabled from that surgery, that that dr will admit he disabled you?  Nope.

If you have seen any counselors or mental health professional, get that too.  All the drs you can.  Also they have a friend or relative fill out a section about you and your daily activities.  Good luck.  Lucy

[susanr]

Marybee7 - I was sent by SS to a psychologist locally which made me pretty nervous but it was easy.

[MaryBee7]

Morning all,  disability in itself is depressing!  DIS-abled?  I would say we are EN-abled as we're learning each day to deal with the weirdest illness in the world. 

If anyone here doesn't know about "disability secrets.com"  it's worth checking out, if you have good eyes and don't mind sitting for a hundred hours reading.  It's a good reality check for the disability applying process. 

[ashewoman]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I think the reason for such varying stories on applying for disability ease and insanity are largely the product of the mood the employee reviewer is in when the day they stamp a big "approved" or "disapproved" on your form.  So literally, it may all come down to how bad traffic was on the way to work for them.  It's sad but true.  So many people have been approved quite easily and others go thru heck.  Seems like mitigating factors in the personal life of the reviewer are the deciding factor.  GG