SSDI application assistance

[Derek1987]

So I'm filling out the application(advised by doctors to do so) and I am at the part where it asks for medical conditions. I am going to post what I have so far. Screenshot in the link below. I know disability requires you to meet a listing in order to be considered disabled. I'm trying to do this right on the first go around so maybe I can be approved the first time instead of waiting 3 years like my wife. Honestly I can't financially wait that long. I need to get this right on the first shot if possible. I know it's unlikely to be approved for the first go around but maybe I will be. If you have any advice on the screenshot or keywords they are looking for, or any advice please help me out. I have a lawyer that I consulted with but I believe they don't do anything until I'm denied the first time. Thanks for your input and wisdom.

 

https://imgur.com/lObkHxO

 

[Guest KiminOrlando]

I strongly advise you to get an attorney.  It took 4 years WITH an attorney for mine to be approved. 

My attorney filled all of this out for me.

[Derek1987]

2 minutes ago, KiminOrlando said:

I strongly advise you to get an attorney.  It took 4 years WITH an attorney for mine to be approved. 

My attorney filled all of this out for me.

My attorney told me to call her when I'm done applying. If I'm not mistaken they would probably rather you be denied. The more backpay, the more money for them. Idk.

[Guest KiminOrlando]

Get another attorney. That is a lazy attorney. They won't charge you less if you fill out the first set of paperwork by yourself, right? Do they charge a flat rate or a %?

Mine wanted to fill out the paperwork so it made the fight easier. Once it goes on paper to Social Security, it is evidence. 

Most make you fill out the paperwork, but the good ones don't.  I paid a % of my payout if I was approved. It was worth every penny. 

It is a LOT of paperwork for a healthy person to handle. How is a sick person supposed to do it all correctly? 

What state are you in?

[Derek1987]

3 minutes ago, KiminOrlando said:

Get another attorney. That is a lazy attorney. They won't charge you less if you fill out the first set of paperwork by yourself, right? Do they charge a flat rate or a %?

Mine wanted to fill out the paperwork so it made the fight easier. Once it goes on paper to Social Security, it is evidence. 

Most make you fill out the paperwork, but the good ones don't.  I paid a % of my payout if I was approved. It was worth every penny. 

It is a LOT of paperwork for a healthy person to handle. How is a sick person supposed to do it all correctly? 

What state are you in?

I'm so uninformed. I don't know how she would be paid. I asked her what if I win the first time, she said usually cases go to a law judge. She's expecting me to be denied at first it sounds like.  

 

I'm doing my application through the computer. And yes it's taking me extra time to fill it out because it requires energy and focus lol. 

 

I live in TN.

[Pistol]

Hello @Derek1987 - the medical  conditions you are listing are all SYMPTOMS, not actual diagnosis ( unless your doctor feels they are separate conditions and not related to dysautonomia ). I also advise you to get an attorney if you are having difficulties. I called my local SSI office and had them help me with my initial application. Then they were able to retrieve my personal medical info from my medical record and the process went on from there. But I had a lawyer take over after my initial denial. 

[Derek1987]

2 hours ago, Pistol said:

Hello @Derek1987 - the medical  conditions you are listing are all SYMPTOMS, not actual diagnosis ( unless your doctor feels they are separate conditions and not related to dysautonomia ). I also advise you to get an attorney if you are having difficulties. I called my local SSI office and had them help me with my initial application. Then they were able to retrieve my personal medical info from my medical record and the process went on from there. But I had a lawyer take over after my initial denial. 

Can you give me an example of a condition that you put that social security deemed as a disability? I'm really lost now lol. I don't have an underlying condition found of why my body does those things listed. At least yet. I thought autonomic neuropathy dysfunction would be a condition. 

[JimL]

32 minutes ago, Derek1987 said:

Can you give me an example of a condition that you put that social security deemed as a disability? I'm really lost now lol. I don't have an underlying condition found of why my body does those things listed. At least yet. I thought autonomic neuropathy dysfunction would be a condition. 

Did a doctor give you a diagnosis? 

 

https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/neurological-disorders

https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/topics/neurological-problems

I can't find anything specific for POTS, my guess is that a doctor would have to tell you the underlying condition and then that would have to be acceptable to SS. 

https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/what-conditions-qualify.html

 

Seems there is a blue book. You may want to find an attorney that does that kind of law that will work on contingency. 

[Derek1987]

43 minutes ago, JimL said:

Did a doctor give you a diagnosis? 

 

https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/neurological-disorders

https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/topics/neurological-problems

I can't find anything specific for POTS, my guess is that a doctor would have to tell you the underlying condition and then that would have to be acceptable to SS. 

https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/what-conditions-qualify.html

 

Seems there is a blue book. You may want to find an attorney that does that kind of law that will work on contingency. 

My primary care doctor is clueless on all the stuff that's going on with me. She doesn't even want to sign disability paperwork for me. She claims the specialist should do that. Makes no sense to me. So I don't have an official diagnosis on why I have these issues. I have an appointment with a neurologist on may 3rd. I see my cardiologist April 22nd. Maybe they can look at my latest tests results from my autonomic dysfunction specialist and figure something out.  My tilt table test shows 40/50 beats per minute increase in a standing position. They have detected Rocky mountain in me. My adrenaline is through the roof. My EKG looks messed up. At least I think. I've had multiple syncope issues. Blood pressure is everywhere.

Im learning more as I go along. My dad seems to have the same condition but mild. My psychiatrist talked to some neurologists he knows and says usually when a condition is passed down, it gets worse. My dad's hands have shaken all his life like me. He's on bystolic. He takes medicine for tremors. His hands shake worse now. Mine are getting worse as well. 

Today for me was REALLY bad in how I felt. One of my worst days. But maybe I should hold off on filing for disability until I have something that will be acceptable to social security. I really want to be accepted my first go around. 

[Pistol]

Hi @Derek1987 - I am so sorry that you finding yourself in this position and are still doing so badly. Hopefully once you see a specialist at Vanderbilt they will be able to find some answers and treatment!!!!!! - Regarding the SSDI application: I checked with my PCP on what to use and I reported my disabling conditions as POTS, NCS and autonomic seizures. Once they saw the word seizures they concentrated just on that since it is a covered condition. However - it was actually only a SYMPTOM of POTS and NCS ( which are my actual diagnosis ). So they sent me endless questionaires and forms to fill out and I got denied twice. Only after the hearing with an ALJ, who was able to actually ask questions and saw firsthand what I was going through and why I am unable to work, was I approved on the spot. So - you just have to answer the questions honestly and prepare to be denied. Also - my first application I completed over the phone with a SSDI employee assisting me. That way I could ask questions to clarify if I did not understand something. To do this I had to make a phone appointment with the nearest SSDI office. Maybe doing this would be easier for you? 

[bombsh3ll]

That sounds so unfair to have a defined list of conditions and if your particular one/s are not on it you don't qualify regardless of how ill you are and level of functioning. I really feel for what you are going through. I would get the kind of lawyer Kim mentioned, who does it all and takes a fee at the end if & when you are successful.

Here in the UK disability is based not on the name of your condition but how it actually affects your functioning eg if you can walk, cook, bathe, reliably stay conscious, etc.

It makes more sense because you could have someone with cancer or multiple sclerosis who is fully mobile & can work & do everything for themselves but everyone has heard of their condition & it is perceived as serious, whereas the person with POTS who cannot stand, uses a wheelchair & passes out frequently is a lot more impaired but receives no compassion because their condition isn't well known or understood. 

I truly hope you get it approved & get the support you need & deserve. Get your specialists to provide as much info as possible, particularly the one who recommended you apply for disability. 

B xxx

[StayAtHomeMom]

8 hours ago, Derek1987 said:

My primary care doctor is clueless on all the stuff that's going on with me. She doesn't even want to sign disability paperwork for me. She claims the specialist should do that. Makes no sense to me. So I don't have an official diagnosis on why I have these issues. I have an appointment with a neurologist on may 3rd. I see my cardiologist April 22nd. Maybe they can look at my latest tests results from my autonomic dysfunction specialist and figure something out.  My tilt table test shows 40/50 beats per minute increase in a standing position. They have detected Rocky mountain in me. My adrenaline is through the roof. My EKG looks messed up. At least I think. I've had multiple syncope issues. Blood pressure is everywhere.

Im learning more as I go along. My dad seems to have the same condition but mild. My psychiatrist talked to some neurologists he knows and says usually when a condition is passed down, it gets worse. My dad's hands have shaken all his life like me. He's on bystolic. He takes medicine for tremors. His hands shake worse now. Mine are getting worse as well. 

Today for me was REALLY bad in how I felt. One of my worst days. But maybe I should hold off on filing for disability until I have something that will be acceptable to social security. I really want to be accepted my first go around. 

That is what I am doing. I have watched people spend years trying. I figure the more diagnosises I have the better I will be. Keeping appointments and seeing the doctors help your case too. It shows you are actively having issues. 

[JimL]

It sounds like rejection of claims at SSDI is proforma unless it's terminal. That's a h*** of a way to evaluate. 

[Derek1987]

3 hours ago, Pistol said:

Hi @Derek1987 - I am so sorry that you finding yourself in this position and are still doing so badly. Hopefully once you see a specialist at Vanderbilt they will be able to find some answers and treatment!!!!!! - Regarding the SSDI application: I checked with my PCP on what to use and I reported my disabling conditions as POTS, NCS and autonomic seizures. Once they saw the word seizures they concentrated just on that since it is a covered condition. However - it was actually only a SYMPTOM of POTS and NCS ( which are my actual diagnosis ). So they sent me endless questionaires and forms to fill out and I got denied twice. Only after the hearing with an ALJ, who was able to actually ask questions and saw firsthand what I was going through and why I am unable to work, was I approved on the spot. So - you just have to answer the questions honestly and prepare to be denied. Also - my first application I completed over the phone with a SSDI employee assisting me. That way I could ask questions to clarify if I did not understand something. To do this I had to make a phone appointment with the nearest SSDI office. Maybe doing this would be easier for you? 

Thank you for looking into this for me. So far I do have POTS and NCS listed. I haven't had any seizures though. I need to do some more research on what can meet a listing if it's possible. I don't want it to drag out that long. Not only for financial reasons, but health reasons. Every time I go to a Dr appointment or something I'm battling the fainting. Unless I get called back quickly. I guess passing out in front of a judge would probably help my case but I don't feel like going through that torture.

Instead of calling, I'll probably just do more research and ask questions like I'm doing on here now. Maybe I'll find an underlying cause. But my psychiatrist was so passionate about me filing for SSDI now. He was like it's going to take a year. So I guess he expects a first denial too. But I want to have the strongest case possible before I submit everything. This sucks you have to play chess with the government to get what your own money. 

[Derek1987]

Just now, JimL said:

It sounds like rejection of claims at SSDI is proforma unless it's terminal. That's a h*** of a way to evaluate. 

No doubt. My wife was approved for SSDI after 3 long years. She's had 2 hip replacements, ankalosking spondylitis, fibromyalgia, I think rhemutoid arthritis and many other issues. We are both in our 30s lol. She has a walker and everything.  She had her first hip replacement when we were dating i believe. We also went skating with her kids aka my step kids while we were dating. Before her problems started obviously. Crazy how things can change in an instant.

[JimL]

6 hours ago, Derek1987 said:

Before her problems started obviously. Crazy how things can change in an instant.

Things can change quickly. Last May I was on top of the world and it's turned to manure since. It sucks adjusting to the new normal. 

[Guest KiminOrlando]

4 hours ago, Derek1987 said:

Every time I go to a Dr appointment or something I'm battling the fainting. Unless I get called back quickly. I guess passing out in front of a judge would probably help my case but I don't feel like going through that torture.

Go pass out at the doctor's office. Cause a commotion when it happens. Do it multiple times. I passed out in my doctor's offices and for liability reasons they have to document it. THIS WAS CITED IN MY DISABILITY APPROVAL AS A REASON THAT I COULDN'T WORK. 

It stinks this is what it takes, but medical professionals witnessing this problem repeatedly will help you in the long run.

[Pistol]

5 hours ago, KiminOrlando said:

Go pass out at the doctor's office. Cause a commotion when it happens. Do it multiple times.

I have passed out AND taken seizures in many offices/ hospitals etc … I still got denied, despite POTS and NCS diagnosis. It appears that - at least in my case - they did not care about the physicians reports or recommendations. Sad - but true. 

[Derek1987]

1 hour ago, Pistol said:

I have passed out AND taken seizures in many offices/ hospitals etc … I still got denied, despite POTS and NCS diagnosis. It appears that - at least in my case - they did not care about the physicians reports or recommendations. Sad - but true. 

I hate this world.

[JimL]

2 hours ago, Derek1987 said:

I hate this world.

A small percentage of people make things bad. I hate aholes that make life miserable/worse for others. 

[blizzard2014]

22 hours ago, KiminOrlando said:

Go pass out at the doctor's office. Cause a commotion when it happens. Do it multiple times. I passed out in my doctor's offices and for liability reasons they have to document it. THIS WAS CITED IN MY DISABILITY APPROVAL AS A REASON THAT I COULDN'T WORK. 

It stinks this is what it takes, but medical professionals witnessing this problem repeatedly will help you in the long run.

It really makes me mad that we have to use these kinds of antics in order to obtain benefits. I have by far the most issues from the leg I had a DVT in. Pain that just tears my soul apart. I took on an extra job last week, just sat in my car for an hour and worked 1 extra hour, of which I will be working 1 extra hour a week now and it sent me into a three day pain  flare and full body flare. I again felt like I did when my kidney function was down in the low 30's. I had to leave the harder Monday job an hour early and pop two pain pills within 2 hours just to remain standing and complete the work. Weather was warmer and I got dizzy and had to sit down too. I might have kissed the pavement. Yet despite all this, they say my condition is not bad enough to qualify for benefits. I have the bad leg, but since it does not stay swollen or have open wounds from poor circulation, they discredit the pain.. I had a blow out at the Pharmacy because they are playing games with my pain meds again. All this just made me think of living another 30 years fighting with doc's and pharmacies before I finally bite the big one. Moms again tells me I have an easy life because I only work part time and don't have any worries. I snapped and broke something in the house. No normal person/disability claims examiner/disability judge will ever freakin understand how much d*** stress we go through just trying to hang on to some semblance of life. Why would any one fake this s***. I make less money working part time. But that is the system. You get a nice judge who awards everyone, you get it. You get the judge I had with only a 30 percent award rate and you are denied. It's a stupid system. Put me on a lie detector and I will answer all questions and that needle will not jump when I tell them how bad it is. But that would be too easy a solution. The government never makes it easy.  Sorry for the rant. 

Edited March 22, 2019 by Pistol

[blizzard2014]

10 hours ago, Derek1987 said:

I hate this world.

It is extremely hard to get approved unless you get one of the judges who has a 60 or 70 percent award rate. You can look up your judge online and see what their award rates are. I had a judge who was hostile with me, dehumanized me, was combative with me, and more than likely had his mind made up before he even saw me. The hearing was a mere formality just to clear my case off the books. I almost died from blood clots in lungs. I could not walk into or out of the hospital my leg had no more strength in it. I have sleep apnea, an enlarged right heart, high BP, diabetes, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, severely low pulmonary function tests. It means nothing unless you can outright match a listing or get a sympathetic judge. But you have to fight. If you have a real disability you have to fight. I will again when it becomes too hard to work this part time job. Hang in there. You will do better in the hearing phase. 

[JimL]

2 hours ago, blizzard2014 said:

It really makes me mad that we have to use these kinds of antics in order to obtain benefits. I have by far the most issues from the leg I had a DVT in. Pain that just tears my soul apart. I took on an extra job last week, just sat in my car for an hour and worked 1 extra hour, of which I will be working 1 extra hour a week now and it sent me into a three day pain  flare and full body flare. I again felt like I did when my kidney function was down in the low 30's. I had to leave the harder Monday job an hour early and pop two pain pills within 2 hours just to remain standing and complete the work. Weather was warmer and I got dizzy and had to sit down too. I might have kissed the pavement. Yet despite all this, they say my condition is not bad enough to qualify for benefits. I have the bad leg, but since it does not stay swollen or have open wounds from poor circulation, they discredit the pain. I've been suicidal for months and slipped into a bad week of suicidal ideation again because of the realization that taking on an extra job assignment is causing me so much distress. I had a blow out at the Pharmacy because they are playing games with my pain meds again. All this just made me think of living another 30 years fighting with doc's and pharmacies before I finally bite the big one. I don't know if  I have it in me. Moms again tells me I have an easy life because I only work part time and don't have any worries. I snapped and broke something in the house. No normal person/disability claims examiner/disability judge will ever freakin understand how much d*** stress we go through just trying to hang on to some semblance of life. Why would any one fake this s***. So, I might have to get some suicide attempts documented in my medical records before they give me the disability benefits I should already have. I make less money working part time. But that is the system. You get a nice judge who awards everyone, you get it. You get the judge I had with only a 30 percent award rate and you are denied. It's a stupid system. Put me on a lie detector and I will answer all questions and that needle will not jump when I tell them how bad it is. But that would be too easy a solution. The government never makes it easy.  Sorry for the rant. 

Have you gone to a vascular doctor for the leg? I had 3 clots in my right leg since 1993. I get swelling. Just had a follow up with a vascular doc. First one in 20 years. Clots are still there. I'd been wearing knee high compression stockings since the beginning, 30-40mm pressure. Now with POTS, I wear thigh high 20-30 on both legs. Losing weight brought the swelling down a bit. Lost 3" in circumference of my calf  losing 170lbs. 

[p8d]

I am apparently the exception here.  I was awarded SSDI on my first try with no lawyer.  I received the letter/money six weeks after applying.  I was told I would probably be denied the first time.  What I think helped me was that I had sudden viral onset that was well documented.  I had a work history from age 14 to 52, I think that’s important.  My Drs, PCP, 10 specialists and finally my dysautonomia NP documented every symptom and test result and my neurologist wrote a letter explaining my limitations. My neurology NP told me to apply, at the time I thought I would get better in the not too distant future, still working on this that 4 years later, sigh... I think at that time my diagnoses were orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, migraine, insomnia, post viral fatigue syndrome, Lyme and likely others that I can’t recall.  Autoimmune diagnosis came later. You should only list what the actual diagnoses are.  I had just gotten out of hospital with severe malnutrition and was on TPN.  I was honest about the impact on daily living or more accurately daily wishing to die. I could not fill out the forms, my husband did that.  At the time I weighed about 90 pounds and couldn’t stand up for more than 3-4 minutes at a time. I believe I was the embodiment of why we have security nets.  I hope my story offers some hope that it can happen quickly.

[Derek1987]

18 hours ago, JimL said:

A small percentage of people make things bad. I hate aholes that make life miserable/worse for others. 

I'm still waiting for my long term disability to be approved through my now ex employer. They called me today and asked for an extension. They are going to have a meeting with a nurse and vocational expert I think he said to determine if i can work. They already have the evidence they need to show I'm screwed up. Now I gotta wait up to 30 more days for a decision. 

I love how they work. When I was on short term disability they told me someone with my condition should be healed by now and that since my specialist is a nurse practitioner, she is not credible enough. I was referred to her by a cardiologist. After threatening legal action, they approved me. But now a nurse can determine if I'm eligible for long term disability. These past few months have been h***. If they don't approve me, I'm screwed.