Yikes! Disabilitiy medical and psych evaluation!

[Guest guest]

I just got notice today that I have to go for psych and medical exams

for my SSDI application. Is this good or bad?

Has anyone been through this before? Are these doctors reliable or

are they there to simply turn down my application?

I'm really nervous about this, for some reason!

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Pretty prefunctory, but I felt they were working for the benefit of

the " other " side. The psych exam was the worst - ridiculous pat

questions, ridiculous examiner who wouldn't stray one iota from what

he had been told to ask, very robotic! I thought I would be turned

down but I had a great attorney who specialized in CFS cases and I

was, afterall, very sick, so I did get it. Hope you do too.

Ballady

>

> I just got notice today that I have to go for psych and medical exams

> for my SSDI application. Is this good or bad?

>

> Has anyone been through this before? Are these doctors reliable or

> are they there to simply turn down my application?

>

> I'm really nervous about this, for some reason!

>

> Jennie

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jennie.

As Ballady said, this is just part of the process, nothing unusual.

How it will go depends on who you see. It varies a lot among SS

offices and the doctors they use. You should expect that they will try

to find reasons to reject your claim.

You should try to find out as much as you can about the disability

application process. I know there are newsgroups and websites related

to this, but I don't know what the addresses are. Maybe someone else

can direct you to the right places. I know that the National CFIDS

Foundation (NCF) has a lawyer who answers disability questions in their

newsletter.

You may also want to get a lawyer or advocate who specializes in CFS

disability cases.

Tom

[Guest guest]

Jennie, I have gone through this. I got SSDI on the first try.

Filling out your paper work is key too I think. You must show that you

have trouble doing everyday duties and self care.

Gail

ennie wrote:

> I just got notice today that I have to go for psych and medical exams

> for my SSDI application. Is this good or bad?

>

> Has anyone been through this before? Are these doctors reliable or

> are they there to simply turn down my application?

>

> I'm really nervous about this, for some reason!

>

> Jennie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each

other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment

discussed here, please consult your doctor.

>

[Guest guest]

Gail,

How long ago did you get your disability? I have been told that it is

nearly impossible to get disability on the first try for CFS today.

--Kurt

SPAM-MED: Re: Yikes! Disabilitiy medical

and psych evaluation!

Jennie, I have gone through this. I got SSDI on the first try.

Filling out your paper work is key too I think. You must show that you

have trouble doing everyday duties and self care.

Gail

ennie wrote:

> I just got notice today that I have to go for psych and medical exams

> for my SSDI application. Is this good or bad?

>

> Has anyone been through this before? Are these doctors reliable or

> are they there to simply turn down my application?

>

> I'm really nervous about this, for some reason!

>

> Jennie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with

each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any

treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor.

>

[Guest guest]

Maybe I'm the exception, but I got it the first go round and was glad

I had an attorney in my camp at that time. That was 14 years ago. I

would think it would be a good deal easier now. It also may differ

widely state to state.

Ballady

[Guest guest]

Based on my experience and discussion with an attorney specializing in

disability, I think it is a great deal harder now, rather than easier.

This is because there is a crushing load of disability applications

right now from all types of causes. Things have changed dramatically in

14 years. And certainly it does vary a bit by state, but not very much

at this point.

--Kurt

SPAM-MED: Re: Yikes! Disabilitiy medical

and psych evaluation!

Maybe I'm the exception, but I got it the first go round and was glad

I had an attorney in my camp at that time. That was 14 years ago. I

would think it would be a good deal easier now. It also may differ

widely state to state.

Ballady

This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with

each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any

treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor.

[Guest guest]

Re: Yikes! Disabilitiy medical and psych

evaluation!

Maybe I'm the exception, but I got it the first go round and was glad

I had an attorney in my camp at that time. That was 14 years ago. I

would think it would be a good deal easier now. It also may differ

widely state to state.

I have a friend who got it first try also back in those days. I don't know

anybody now that does tho, I thnk its actually gotten much harder to get it.

Marcia

[Guest guest]

Well, that wasn't true for me! I was all geared up for a long, drawn-out process

because of all the stuff that I'd read, but I got my approval letter in the mail

exactly *three weeks* after submitting my official application. They didn't even

talk to any of my doctors. This was last February (2005).

So, I'm no help on what these exams are like since I didn't have to have them,

but thought it might help to know at least some of the SSI people aren't out to

get you.

For anyone that's applying now, I don't know what helped me. Maybe I just got

a really nice SSI person. Also, I'd been disabled for five years when I applied

so I don't know if that made a difference. I tried to get a lawyer first off

because I thought it would make it easier, but I also got that come back when

you've gotten denied thing (especially since I'm SSI only because I was in

college when I got sick so didn't have enough SSDI credits).

Anyway, I read all the stuff I could find and decided to hit them with it all

at once. Here are the things I did (stolen from various websites and applying

for disability pamphlets):

1. Fill out papers completely

I included every doctor I'd seen (30-something) with their addresses and

everything. In the questions section, I made sure to explain what I can't do

rather than what I can (telling them I have to use a shower chair indicates to

me how disabled I am, but to them says I can still take a shower. So the fact

that I can't take a shower more often than once every 2-4 weeks is more

relevant). I made sure to include every verb in the question in answer (I can't

bend, squat, sit, crawl, etc.). And in the " anything more " section I told them

how long it took me to fill out the forms and that my Dad helped me with them.

2. Records

I enclosed a complete copy of my records, several hundred pages long

3. Letter

I had my Dad (who is my caregiver) write a letter describing the symptoms and

limitations he has witnessed.

4. CFS Ruling

I wrote up a page explaing that I meet the criteria for a finding of Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome as a Medically Determinable Impairment as established in Social

Security Ruling 99-2p. I don't have a link to it right now, but it's online and

they list the symptoms, medical signs, and lab tests necessary. So I listed my

symptoms, medical signs, and labs that matched this list and stapled an extra

copy of those lab results to this paper (in addition to the ones in the full

copy of my records).

So, I don't know if any of these things made a difference or whether I was

just really lucky, but some things to try for anyone applying now. I would think

it would be easier to get approved now than it used to be because of Ruling

99-2p.

Good luck with your tests Jennie!

Trina

" Kurt R. " <kurt@...> wrote:

Gail,

How long ago did you get your disability? I have been told that it is

nearly impossible to get disability on the first try for CFS today.

--Kurt

---------------------------------

New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.

[Guest guest]

Katrina, You got it exactly right. " Hit them with it all at once. " In spite of

all the obstacles in the SSD application process, the best shot is the first

one...if you prepare well. One addition that will carry weight is a

neuropsychological exam performed by a qualified psychologist. This measure of

your functional ability is very compelling. Mel PS: Using this same approach,

my wife was easily approved.

Re: Yikes! Disabilitiy medical and psych

evaluation!

Well, that wasn't true for me! I was all geared up for a long, drawn-out

process because of all the stuff that I'd read, but I got my approval letter in

the mail exactly *three weeks* after submitting my official application. They

didn't even talk to any of my doctors. This was last February (2005).

So, I'm no help on what these exams are like since I didn't have to have

them, but thought it might help to know at least some of the SSI people aren't

out to get you.

For anyone that's applying now, I don't know what helped me. Maybe I just

got a really nice SSI person. Also, I'd been disabled for five years when I

applied so I don't know if that made a difference. I tried to get a lawyer first

off because I thought it would make it easier, but I also got that come back

when you've gotten denied thing (especially since I'm SSI only because I was in

college when I got sick so didn't have enough SSDI credits).

Anyway, I read all the stuff I could find and decided to hit them with it

all at once. Here are the things I did (stolen from various websites and

applying for disability pamphlets):

1. Fill out papers completely

I included every doctor I'd seen (30-something) with their addresses and

everything. In the questions section, I made sure to explain what I can't do

rather than what I can (telling them I have to use a shower chair indicates to

me how disabled I am, but to them says I can still take a shower. So the fact

that I can't take a shower more often than once every 2-4 weeks is more

relevant). I made sure to include every verb in the question in answer (I can't

bend, squat, sit, crawl, etc.). And in the " anything more " section I told them

how long it took me to fill out the forms and that my Dad helped me with them.

2. Records

I enclosed a complete copy of my records, several hundred pages long

3. Letter

I had my Dad (who is my caregiver) write a letter describing the symptoms

and limitations he has witnessed.

4. CFS Ruling

I wrote up a page explaing that I meet the criteria for a finding of Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome as a Medically Determinable Impairment as established in Social

Security Ruling 99-2p. I don't have a link to it right now, but it's online and

they list the symptoms, medical signs, and lab tests necessary. So I listed my

symptoms, medical signs, and labs that matched this list and stapled an extra

copy of those lab results to this paper (in addition to the ones in the full

copy of my records).

So, I don't know if any of these things made a difference or whether I was

just really lucky, but some things to try for anyone applying now. I would think

it would be easier to get approved now than it used to be because of Ruling

99-2p.

Good luck with your tests Jennie!

Trina

" Kurt R. " <kurt@...> wrote:

Gail,

How long ago did you get your disability? I have been told that it is

nearly impossible to get disability on the first try for CFS today.

--Kurt

---------------------------------

New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save

big.

[Guest guest]

Kurt R. wrote:

> Gail,

> How long ago did you get your disability? I have been told that it is

> nearly impossible to get disability on the first try for CFS today.

> --Kurt

>

> SPAM-MED: Re: Yikes! Disabilitiy medical

> and psych evaluation!

>

> Jennie, I have gone through this. I got SSDI on the first try.

> Filling out your paper work is key too I think. You must show that you

> have trouble doing everyday duties and self care.

> Gail

>

>

> ennie wrote:

>

>> I just got notice today that I have to go for psych and medical exams

>> for my SSDI application. Is this good or bad?

>>

>> Has anyone been through this before? Are these doctors reliable or

>> are they there to simply turn down my application?

>>

>> I'm really nervous about this, for some reason!

>>

>> Jennie

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with

>>

> each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any

> treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor.

>

>>

[Guest guest]

Katrina, I had the same experience and I also was very thorough in

filling out papers and yes talking about what you can't do rather than

what you can. Give them any clue that you can do much and you are sure

to fail.

Gail

Katrina Tangen wrote:

> Well, that wasn't true for me! I was all geared up for a long, drawn-out

process because of all the stuff that I'd read, but I got my approval letter in

the mail exactly *three weeks* after submitting my official application. They

didn't even talk to any of my doctors. This was last February (2005).

>

> So, I'm no help on what these exams are like since I didn't have to have

them, but thought it might help to know at least some of the SSI people aren't

out to get you.

>

> For anyone that's applying now, I don't know what helped me. Maybe I just

got a really nice SSI person. Also, I'd been disabled for five years when I

applied so I don't know if that made a difference. I tried to get a lawyer first

off because I thought it would make it easier, but I also got that come back

when you've gotten denied thing (especially since I'm SSI only because I was in

college when I got sick so didn't have enough SSDI credits).

>

> Anyway, I read all the stuff I could find and decided to hit them with it

all at once. Here are the things I did (stolen from various websites and

applying for disability pamphlets):

>

> 1. Fill out papers completely

> I included every doctor I'd seen (30-something) with their addresses and

everything. In the questions section, I made sure to explain what I can't do

rather than what I can (telling them I have to use a shower chair indicates to

me how disabled I am, but to them says I can still take a shower. So the fact

that I can't take a shower more often than once every 2-4 weeks is more

relevant). I made sure to include every verb in the question in answer (I can't

bend, squat, sit, crawl, etc.). And in the " anything more " section I told them

how long it took me to fill out the forms and that my Dad helped me with them.

>

> 2. Records

> I enclosed a complete copy of my records, several hundred pages long

>

> 3. Letter

> I had my Dad (who is my caregiver) write a letter describing the symptoms

and limitations he has witnessed.

>

> 4. CFS Ruling

> I wrote up a page explaing that I meet the criteria for a finding of Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome as a Medically Determinable Impairment as established in Social

Security Ruling 99-2p. I don't have a link to it right now, but it's online and

they list the symptoms, medical signs, and lab tests necessary. So I listed my

symptoms, medical signs, and labs that matched this list and stapled an extra

copy of those lab results to this paper (in addition to the ones in the full

copy of my records).

>

> So, I don't know if any of these things made a difference or whether I was

just really lucky, but some things to try for anyone applying now. I would think

it would be easier to get approved now than it used to be because of Ruling

99-2p.

>

> Good luck with your tests Jennie!

> Trina

>

>

> " Kurt R. " <kurt@...> wrote:

> Gail,

> How long ago did you get your disability? I have been told that it is

> nearly impossible to get disability on the first try for CFS today.

> --Kurt

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save

big.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Katrina

FInd a doc who can not only provide the neuropsych testing but also do brain

mapping (a sophisticated, non-invasive type of EEG). These two results can

provide the stuff you need to improve brain function as well as documenting the

brain dysfunction.

And, if that doc treat orthomolecularly instead of limiting to

pharmaceuticals, you might get more help that you expected.

Hope this helps

mjh

> Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 03:10:41 -0500

> From: Mel Baldwin <alphabear@...>

> Subject: Re: Yikes! Disabilitiy medical and psych evaluation!

>

> Katrina, You got it exactly right. " Hit them with it all at once. " In spite

> of all the obstacles in the SSD application process, the best shot is the

> first one...if you prepare well. One addition that will carry weight is a

> neuropsychological exam performed by a qualified psychologist. This measure of

your

> functional ability is very compelling. Mel PS: Using this same approach, my

> wife was easily approved.

> ----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

I had a similar circumstance in that I had to use leave without pay

once my sick leave was depleted. I tried to go back to work 20 hours

a week and was unable to even work that much. I hope I communicated

that effectively on my application.

jennie

> >

> >> I just got notice today that I have to go for psych and medical exams

> >> for my SSDI application. Is this good or bad?

> >>

> >> Has anyone been through this before? Are these doctors reliable or

> >> are they there to simply turn down my application?

> >>

> >> I'm really nervous about this, for some reason!

> >>

> >> Jennie

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with

> >>

> > each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any

> > treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor.

> >

> >>

[Guest guest]

Jennie,

I got SSDI in 1999. I had to hire a lawyer to get it. I also had to go

for psych and medical exams. The psychologist told me his exam would

be meaningless. The MD was a friend in the small town where I lived. I

figured this would be helpful.

I learned later when I was rejected that nothing in my report was read

at all until I appealed. I had a tilt test where I passed out with no

measurable blood pressure, and I had a functional ability test in

which I couldn't talk or think after standing two hours. But the

rejection letter said I had lifted 50 lbs. In fact I had never lifted

50 pounds - not even once. This was when the lawyer told me, " They

never read the report. They just reject it with a form letter stating

that you could lift 50 lbs, so you can work. "

He cost me $2,000 (now it would be $4,000) to write a two page summary

of my case. Within 3 weeks I had my SSDI. The system stinks.

My doctor also told me that it depends on the county where you live.

Some boards approve everyone and some, like where I lived, reject

everyone except someone on their death bed with cancer.

Welcome to reality and keep truckin'

a Carnes

>

> I just got notice today that I have to go for psych and medical exams

> for my SSDI application. Is this good or bad?

>

> Has anyone been through this before? Are these doctors reliable or

> are they there to simply turn down my application?

>

> I'm really nervous about this, for some reason!

>

> Jennie

>