DISABILITY DENIED

[skershner3]

Well, I found out today that I got turned down for disabilty. I called my case worker at Social Security and talked to her, she was the one that had the info. I told her that I wanted to appeal at that point. I also found out after doing some digging around today that I signed about ten medical releases and from what I have found out the only records that my disability case worker reviewed and gave to the doctors were the records from the primary care physician which had consultation letters only from my cardiologist, urologist, etc. The SS Case Worker is not happy and neither am I. Appeal papers are on their way. You can not make a determination if you dont have all of the information that you need to make it. I am so upset and angry. I dont think that she thought that I would ever find out. I called my urologist and cardiologist both and they did not get a request for records. I will not get an attorney this time around and will see what happens - will let you know. I knew that the SYSTEM was messed up but now I have very little faith in it. On top of everything else, I had Chronic Epstein Barr Titers done during my physical and it showed chronic convalescent stages which from what I have found out should qualify me for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CEBV for disability as well. The range for the titer was 0-20 in the normal range and mine was 170. I was kinda getting out of this depression phase that I was in over quitting my job and now bang right back down - and stress and flaring..........Thanks for letting me vent. love to all Susan frown

[vm]

Big hugs to you, Susan!!! grouphug That must feel overwhelming and sooo frustrating. I hope you can get all your ducks in a row and appeal this thing! Keep fighting, girl!

[Teri]

When I filed I had gotten the book from the ICA and it was the best $20 I've ever spent! I physically went from dr to dr, hospital to hospital and picked up all of my records and reviewed them before I sent them in. That way I knew they had everything they needed. I made a copy of EVERYTHING before it went in the mail just so I couldn't be told "we lost it". I wrote the date, time and name of any person I talked to at SS. This girl was on a mission and I was NOT going to loose! I even had the dr's I see the most write personal letters as to what IC has done to destroy my life. I was turned down the first time but awarded my benefits the second time around and I've got to say.....waiting was nice cuz I got this big huge check and was able to spoil myself with something I've wanted my whole life

wishing U the very very best~

[skershner3]

Thank both of you for your replies and good wishes. I worked so hard getting everything together. I had letters from doctors, my husband, friends, I dont know, I worked so hard. I am a pretty organized person and I worked very hard. I assumed that if you filled out the medical releases that they would send them out - you know what they say about assuming. Anyway, they didnt send them out because of cost cutting measures I know. I will go around to each doctor this time and try to get my own stuff. I just quit a job of 11 years where I was the one copying those records for other people and I know how busy you get, how they get backed up, how you cant do them right now and how most of these offices have policies where they will forward them to doctors or medical facilities for free but if you request them yourself then you have to pay for them. Usually a search fee of about 10.00 and then 75 cents per page as required by law in WV. It would be well worth it though - who would have though that they wouldnt have gotten all of the records. She didnt think I would find out, she out and out lied to me - she told me that the doctors didnt comply with the requests and I told her that I called three of them and they didnt get the requests - icluding the urologist. I am sooo mad and upset. These people are screwing with our lives!!!!!!! Susan

[liz2]

I am sorry about what happened. I know that you need all of those records. Also keep a daily diary about your pain (rate it on a 1-10 scale and give locations), frequency, urgency, nocturia (number of nighttime trips), burning, leaking (and how long you can hold your urine), urinary stream--dribbles, sprays, interrupted (as in spirts with spasms) strong, continuous.

Note what causes the pain to worsen--sitting and doing xyz, standing, reaching, bending, lifting, etc. Think especially in terms of your work limitations. How much can you drive, can you do your own shopping, meal preparation, & cleaning? What helps to relieve your pain and other symptoms. Note exhaustion and what causes it. What do you have to go through in order to try to work. Remember that for SS purposes, even answering the phone is considered work that someone with IC can do.

Immediately appeal the denied decision. I was turned down twice; then hired an attorney and asked for an administrative law hearing. The attorney got 25% of the SS award to date. He was worth every penny. I wouldn't hire the attorney until after you get all of your records, and only if you are turned down a second time.

[auntiedeb]

{{{{{{{{susan}}}}}}}} so sorry this is happpening to you. I have denied 3 times by social security here in MA. I am going to hire an attorney if I apply again.

Liz, thankyoufor that information. It is a help. Hang in there. There is hope.

[tigger_gal]

alot of us get turned down the first try I think that they think we won't try again. I got mine on my first try, and was actually shocked, I provide all kinds of ic info with my application.. I hope that you get ssd the 2nd time around... blink
best wishes to you
brat

[skershner3]

Thank all of you for your words of encouragement. It means so much. I finally got everything together and got it all mailed to SS yesterday (Certified Return Receipt). I took the sample letter that was in the disability book that I bought on this site. Like I had said before I was a little uneasy about using a portion that says that you want your reviewer to not have any mental, physical problems that might keep you from getting a descent reviewer, etc. I took that paragraph out and stated that I did not want anyone working on my case that was known for denying alot of claims. I also stated that if the DDS office was going through a "Pilot Program" that I wanted to be notified. It also says that you want your case reviewed by a medical doctor - I didnt realize that people actually had their cases reviewed by people that werent even doctors. I sent copies to the Governor, Senators, House of Representative members, etc. and cc'd this on the bottom of the letter. At least they will know that I meant business and that I would be keeping a close eye. Everything is so politically oriented, it makes me sick! I have already received a letter of support from the Governor and a House member which cant hurt any. I am sitting here now at 2 in the morning because I cant sleep due to pain and just overall jitters over the whole thing, have a nieces wedding tomorrow and my sons graduation on Sunday - and company on top of that so it has been pretty stressful. Now I will be a zombie at the wedding. I have asked but have never received a copy of Jills letter.Can someone forward it to me so I can check it out and forward it on to SS? I would appreciate it so much. Disability is such a long drawn out affair and endless paperwork. Susan

[kenzycodi]

Susan

Could you not do the paperwork yourself? That way you would know that you had everything together and like Terri said you could make copies just in case any of it got "lost". That was a crappy deal. i hope things go better the second time around. I'll be thinking about you.

Kenzy

[Kelli]

Susan,

I have you in my prayers and I hope this time you are approved. For all this work you have done you certainly deserve it. I have never applied for SSD for fear of being denied. I know that alot of people get denied the first time. It's because alot of people dont' realize you can appeal their decision. Whats pathetic is that if you were a crack smoking junkie, you'd get it in a heartbeat. I remember when I was younger, my moms cousin got Disability because he was a recovering Drug addict and Alcoholic. I don't think it's like that anymore, but I know at one point it was. Now you have to walk in there with no arms no legs deaf and blind before they will even look at you. Sorry, just my opinion of our government.

[naturetree]

Susan,
I feel you will definitely get it now--wow, I don't know how you even thought of and knew where to send letters to the governor and House member. Amazing. eek
As far as the sample letter from the doctor, which book and on which page is that letter? Thanks, Joanne

[vm]

Susan - have you seen here that we have a new support group in WV? We'd love to have you.

[skershner3]

Joanne,
I apologize for taking so long in getting back to your post. My sister has been visiting and she has kinda "pulled me up by the boot straps" and gotten me back out into the real world again after having to quit my job and becoming very depressed, etc. Anyway, for an update, I have not received any information from disability one way or the other as far as a new case worker, etc. I did telephone SS and they did receive my appeal information. I have to call and make sure that my information was received in the disability office because my 60 days will be up July 1st. The book that I got my disability information from is Nolo's Guide to Social Secuirity Disability, 2nd Edition. I purchased the book from this site and found it very, very helpful. There was alot of information there that I would not have thought of at all. It was well worth the money that I paid for the book. Susan

[skershner3]

Kim,
I was not aware that there was a support group in WV. I would be very much interested in joining. What is your link? Thank you! Susan

[vm]

Here ya' go :

http://www.ic-network.com/cgi-bin/ub...;f=57;t=000090