Well, it happened.

[momw/ic]

I got my denial letter today. Now I know that most people are denied on their first try and not to take it personally but I still feel upset about it. I have already talked to my attorney who has been ready to file my appeal as soon as the denial came through but I had just hoped that they would see this crappy disease and all of it's accompanying diseases for the horror that they are and validate me for once. They took each of my diagnoses and excluded each one individually. Well maybe that would work (although I don't think I could work if I only had IC) but when you put all of the diseases together...THAT is why I can no longer work. The letter said I should be able to do the same work I did before - well then why was I FIRED for too much time away from my desk and too many sick days when I tried to go back to the same kind of work?

Anyway, just venting really but it's hard not to get discouraged. Afterall, it's my money that I paid in all those years that I was a hard working citizen and I need it now more than I will at 62 so why is it so hard?

I filed based on my IC, Fibro, severe untreatable central sleep apnea, IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome, and menier's disease. Dumb to think I could be a productive person at home let alone work for someone else!

[amaranthe]

It's true they usually turn down almost everyone at first. So this was to be expected. Most ICers dont usually win until they get in front of the judge> So try not to let this get you down> I know that is easier said than done though> You did do the right thing in getting an atty> that will help alot! hope things go well for you and you win soon!

[ICNDonna]

At least you were expecting the denial. I think it's great that you have an attorney ready to go to bat for you.

Hugs,
Donna

[floridamom]

I applied myself a few years back & got denied also. Y eah it def. sucks. However, I finally decided I had enough & applied June 2010 with a lawyer..I was approved by Oct 2010 FIRST time:-)

Please dont give up hope...keep on trying..it does happen!

[Linda May]

I applied for ssd a month ago I will expect them to deny me they do everyone but; I will retain a lawyer and it will take 2 or 3 years.

[Sour]

Good luck, I can't work either and am considering doing something like this soon if I can't find relief. Keep on trying, you'll get there!

[amaranthe]

Congratulations, FloridaMom! I know that is definately a huge relief! Obviously, you made the right decision to hire an atty.

Momw/ic and Linda May,
I initially applied on my own and filed the initial appeal on my own but after being turned down for both, I hired a lawyer for the hearing before the Administrative Law Judge. He approved me that day and backdated my case for 4 years. (If they backdate it at least 2 years, you can start getting Medicare immediately. Otherwise there is a waiting period of (I think) 2 years. So, it is really critical how far they backdate your case. Also, your atty gets a certain percentage of your backpay. (Most attys only get paid if you win. But then they get a substantial part of the backpay but they are limited to a certain amount. If I remember right, I think mine got something like $5200 or $5400...whichever it was, it was the maximum they could get.) However, it's still worth it. I figure if I didnt have an atty, I might have lost and not gotten anything! So, definately, having an atty is a good idea!

I was approved 3 years ago, but I just got my first letter for routine review. It makes me nervous. I have heard it is much harder to take someone off of disability than it is to get approved, but, it isnt unheard of either. So, it makes me very nervous. I am creating a new thread describing the questions, in case anyone else is up for reveiw soon and is wondering what they want to know.

Anyway just wanted to wish you luck and let you know I am pulling for both of you!