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Posted

Since I can do nothing about this most likely until after the holidays this is a bit frustrating.

Obviously I will appeal.

The idea of having all of that work ahead of me is overwhelming.

I hope I can mentally put all of that on the back burner and really enjoy the holiday with my family.

Of all days to get that....

Posted

Yes I actually contacted an attorney before I filed to see if I had a case.

They"ve called to check twice and said they'd be getting back to me the first of the year.

It is good to know there is help out there.

Posted

What a bummer to get that today! If it makes you feel better, though, most of us get denied twice and end up getting a lawyer to go to court before receiving disability. That's what happened to me. The good news is that once you get approved, you get the backpay from the date you applied. Very nice. Good luck!

Posted

I asked my doctor for a good disability lawyer right upfront and it didn't cost me anything to file. He did get 30 percent of my disability, but it was well worth it. I had to wait two years for my case to come to court, but I had my disability in five minutes, and I received a nice big check, that's what I used to buy my new digital baby grand! Hope it goes better the next time around.

Maggie

Posted

Ugh, what awful timing! I'm so sorry!

I don't have any real tips on how to help you get approved but I'm also in the middle of the process myself right now so I know the stress and extreme frustration along with how badly so many of us NEED to get approved and NEED that money. So I really hope you do get approved soon. And I hope that you are still able to enjoy Christmas in spite of the bad news.

Also, if you don't mind me asking- How long did it take them to make their decision? I started the application 7 or 8 months ago and STILL have not gotten a decision although in my case I've been told that all my new diagnosises, hospital stays, etc have caused them to have to take more time on my case. Honestly I am so, so nervous waiting on this! I'm almost to a point where I'm not sure what is worse- hearing that I'm potentially denied or being in limbo like I am now. I have no clue even what my chances are and I also did not apply for the sake of Dysautonomia because I didn't even have a diagnosis then but for other issues... I can say I have made sure to inform them of every single health issue that has popped up in my life, hoping that helps... But I'm completely in the dark on when my decision will be made and what that decision will be.

Anyway, I'm really sorry you got denied. And I guess as a last thought here... Have you talked to your doctors about applying and all? Because my plan has been if I have to appeal I have a couple of very supportive specialists (and a specialist's opinion has the greatest weight in their decisions from what I understand) and I'm hoping one or more of them would be willing to write another letter about my issues if it comes to the point of having to appeal. Not sure if it'll make much difference but that's been my own thought on the matter. Any additional letters. test results, anything that you can send in with your appeal will certainly help.

Posted

I applied mid July and just got my first denial.

Their response was even though I can't sit or stand for prolonged periods without experiencing tachycardia shortness of breath and chest pain they felt I could work in some capacity.

I did not hqve good support from medical providers so yes that is something I would like to pursue.

Posted

Im sorry its such a bummer when you recieve a denial but it helps to know you are that much closer to it!

I applied in Janurary of this year (2011) got my denial in July, appealed that and got denied on reconsideration a week ago. Now I am going to appeal that and it could be a year or longer.. its such a LONG process!

Posted

I believe the lawyer makes the process much easier. What he did for me was he actually went to every doctor of mine and did the interview in person. He then took the information off ths site that I posted before, someone else posted the way he won his case. Then my lawyer wrote up the medical report for each doctor and then the doctor just signed the papers. He interviewed me twice before the hearing and he did all the talking. Some of the times he informed me that the judge would only want me to speak, but at my case he only wanted to hear from the lawyer, and I just stayed quite. Like I stated before he took off all the pressure of me and the doctors because the lawyer did all the work. Doctors are so busy they really don't have the time to fill out all the paper work it takes to get our cases to court. My lawyer stated with the help of this site and the doctors my case was the easiest he ever had because we were so prepared. I hope you can find a lawyer as good as mine was and win that case.

Maggie

Posted

Another hint about lawyers...shop around. My lawyer was great, and she only charged 25 percent of what I got in back pay. I just had to pay some incidental costs up front, which came to under $100.00. It really helped with my medical expenses!

Posted

I was going to see if I could get into Dr. Grubb for the following reasons.

I don't think he'll require extensive testing.

I can just go over my symptoms and get a diagnosis I'm thinking.

And I think he will write for me that I am not able to work with this condition whereas my other doctors are really clueless.

I am going to hit my doctor up with the request for disability tags.

It has the potential of being a big confrontation regarding where my activity level of ability really is.

She does not seem to acknowledge that I have a limitation.

Posted

I don't know what your situation is like but I got my disability pension mainly due to my temperature problems which is so severe I need to often stay in my room in front of my air cooling system. I also argued the randomness of my symptoms which strike at any time, the morning sicknesses with stomach pains, tachycardia, digestive issues, nauseau, stiff joints and and aching pains which often have me bed ridden for half of the day.

Just bring up anything that really holds you back from being able to function or likely to effect you from working. Good luck.

Posted

I was going to see if I could get into Dr. Grubb for the following reasons.

I don't think he'll require extensive testing.

I can just go over my symptoms and get a diagnosis I'm thinking.

And I think he will write for me that I am not able to work with this condition whereas my other doctors are really clueless.

I am going to hit my doctor up with the request for disability tags.

It has the potential of being a big confrontation regarding where my activity level of ability really is.

She does not seem to acknowledge that I have a limitation.

I'm sorry about your ordeal--DH went through same--took his over 2 years with lawyer and supportive docs.

As far as Dr G, I am not so certain that you can count on him to do any paperwork on your behalf as after my first visit, about a month or so later, I received a 'thank you for chosing' letter that reminded me that Dr G in now an integral part of my health care team but considering the volume of his patients/responsiblilities, that anyone needing disability forms or the like completed to go through their personnal physicians (I never had gone to him to pursue disability--am already disabled, but I suppose by the letter he must get asked a lot).

Good luck and hope you enjoy your holidays. I spent part of preparing Christmas dinner with a faint on the kitchen floor. Thankfully--no food got hurt :-)

Posted

(((((lieze)))), I'm so sorry for your major disappointment. But don't give up yet. There are lots of other approaches you can use.

I found that one of the main reasons I was approved was that I had EXTENSIVE tilts, autonomic testing and cardiac testing at the top places - Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Cleveland Clinic, Syncope Dept., Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville and Emory Hospital, Atlanta. Not just diagnosis info but TESTING. And they showed I was in bad shape. Vandy would not test me (too sick) but did stated I was extreme disabled and had a poor prognosis.

Then for my ME/CFS, I had extensive testing/docs from Dr. Charles Lapp, Hunters-Hopkins Clinic, Charlotte and Dr. Nancy Klimas, U of Miami - famous drs. known to SSDI. I was a patient for years at all these places. And I went more than once over a period of years for these tests. I know - IT COST ME A FORTUNE. I was paying back Mayo for 7 years, BTW. This is the extremely unfair part of disability application unless you have a normal, easy to document illness. We don't. IMHO, you can't get approved for POTS without the above - ANYBODY DO DIFFERENTLY? ALSO...I sent my OWN packet of medical records with explanations of what the tests meant, along with letters by Dr. Klimas and Dr. Lapp, and the head of cardiology at Emory, explaining my ME and POTS. The adjudicator read my stuff and not the stacks send from the doctors - very helpful. A stack of letters from family/friends about who I used to be and how I have deteriorated was also commented on by the adjudicator. As our other friends stated, you MUST emphasize why you are UNRELIABLE/UNDEPENDABLE for work, not just how sick you are, unless you have a terminal diagnosis. I used many tricks and angles to show this. I got approved in 1 yr 7 mos, straight through. No turndowns or attorneys and I'm in GA, the longest waiting state. But I'm REALLY, REALLY SICK. It took me over 6 mos. just to fill out the paperwork. So my case may be different. CALL YOUR SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE to Washington - they will help push an answer/new answer through.I have more advice for getting through first time. Glad to post it to anybody - just PM me - may take me some time to reply - not a good time now.

(((((((rubytuesday)))))) - how sad! I hope you are slowing down for NYE. Get those feet up! Good luck in 2012 to us all. Ellie

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