Guest guest Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Hi Sally, I've had 2 SS hearings both ended in denials. I am waiting for a decision in my current case. Take care of you. Love ya, Di Steiner ) dimntd@... dimntd@... on Yahoo messenger dimntd on AIM, IRC & 2886221 (dimntd) on ICQ My info is on my web site http://www.angelfire.com/pa/dimntd/DiAboutDi.html sallygnann@... wrote: > Hi everyone, > I've been hanging out for several years now--found chiari after an auto accident in 97---went to NY last year for decompression but had TC surgery instead. Unfortunatley I havent had any improvement to my symptoms. Been off work 3 years now and trying to get on SSD. After 2 appeals, got an attorney who basically told me that they wont take my case unless they think they can win (yah, cause they want my money!). Anywho, went to the hearing today and now I'm even more stressed than ever. Was told I wont know for 30-60days the results (cause I dont mind waiting even longer). Obviously my attorney couldnt read the judge very well so cant even give me a glimmer of hope. The judge didnt even seem to know what was wrong with me and got more confused while I tried to explain! I would really like to hear from people who have been through this and got to the other side ---one way or another. I know there is a alot of people with chiari out there who have gotten SSD---just need some " hope " at this point! > Thanks! > Sally G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Sally G. Yes there is hope, there is the other side of the rainbow if one can look at being on disability in that manner. I fought and won. Took 23 months for me from the month filed to the day I received the letter from the judge. But in my case the Chiari was an after thought really. It wasn't determined that I had chiari until one month before my hearing. I did not have any listed impairment but the judge ruled that with the cumulative effects of having so many other things going on, I was worthy... My daughter on the other hand did win her disability. It took 3 years but I do believe that because she is only in her 30's age was a factor in how long it took and how hard she had to fight. Her judge went so far as to order psych testing at her expense as well as forcing her to see another doctor ( order for IME) as though her 2 foot thick medical file wasn't enough. Her disability claim was approved in May and she is now finally getting her monthly check. One plus side to the length of time is that she automatically became eligible for her medicare and that helped a lot.... Good luck to you, keep your chin up.... Sending positive vibes and prayers your way. Marilyn in Arkansas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Hi Sally & all, (I'm replying to all just because I think it might reassure some folks who are in a similar position to Sally ((or are soon to be))...) I completely understand your stress. The process of applying for--and waiting to hear the decision about--SSDI is AGONIZING!!!! I just want to let you know that YES, there is hope. I applied for and received SSDI the first time around. It was grueling to go through the process, and very, VERY stressful, but I made it through, and now I have Medicare and some regular money coming in every month that I can count on. My neurologist at the time (who I don't see anymore), who did my medical evaluation for my SSDI application and wrote my letters for them, was not particularly knowledgable about Chiari, and I felt that he didn't do me any favors by writing fairly wimpy letters...so I had to make mine all the stronger to make up for that. Even though I was applying for disability 4 years after my decompression surgery failed to improve my symptoms (and I had been forced to spend almost every hour of those 4 years lying down), that neurologist wrote that he thought I would be " fully recovered " and ready to return to full-time employment within 1 year. So, I have to be re-evaluated every year by SSDI, rather than every few years like most people are...but that's ok, because so far, I've always been re-approved without any trouble whatsoever. (incidentally, when I asked that neurologist what he wanted me to DO during that year that would get me fully recovered, he didn't really have an answer. He said something about " new medications coming out every day " and that there was likely to be one that would work for me approved by the FDA eventually.) Anyway, it sounds like you are well past the point of wanting/needing any advice about how to phrase things on your application, etc...but if you would like to talk about things I did that I think might have been helpful, feel free to email me. (of course, I am NO expert.) I'm just happy to provide support--and I'll be sending lots of positive energy your way until your case goes through successfully! Oh, and I also want to point out to the group that I was fairly young (exactly 30) when my SSDI was approved. So, I'm not sure that being young means you'll automatically be rejected. :^) Ginger --- " sallygnann@... " wrote: > Hi everyone, > I've been hanging out for several years now--found > chiari after an auto accident in 97---went to NY > last year for decompression but had TC surgery > instead. ... I know there is a > alot of people with chiari out there who have gotten > SSD---just need some " hope " at this point! > Thanks! > Sally G. > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Hi Sally, I also procrastinated on my SSDI application and finally did the application in person in October 2006. I tried to complete the application online in April 2006 just before my decompression surgery, but chiarian brain didn't work, so I forgot to hit 'submit' and then of course recovery. I went to a psych evaluation, then a physical, and in March 2007 I found out I was approved. I was really surprised at that move. I *think* that having all your paperwork in order, specialists on your side makes a huge difference. Get a copy of the Residual Function Capacity form from www.asap.org to get that part rolling, have your NSG/NL complete it. Then it becomes a permanent part of your medical records. Make sure that SS receives notice(call your claims rep on that part) and make sure that you have a medical release for that NSG that completes the paperwork. Start also with your closest family, friends that have seen the impact on your relationships. They request that they be short, succinct and very to the point. Such as, how low they have known you, how you were before, and how this disability has changed you, and your relationships with them and others around you. Be one step ahead if you can. Thats all I can think of right now, I have limited time on public computers due to my notebook being in the shop...but I will answer. Be well, Kathymichelle > > Hi everyone, > I've been hanging out for several years now--found chiari after an auto accident in 97---went to NY last year for decompression but had TC surgery instead. Unfortunatley I havent had any improvement to my symptoms. Been off work 3 years now and trying to get on SSD. After 2 appeals, got an attorney who basically told me that they wont take my case unless they think they can win (yah, cause they want my money!). Anywho, went to the hearing today and now I'm even more stressed than ever. Was told I wont know for 30-60days the results (cause I dont mind waiting even longer). Obviously my attorney couldnt read the judge very well so cant even give me a glimmer of hope. The judge didnt even seem to know what was wrong with me and got more confused while I tried to explain! I would really like to hear from people who have been through this and got to the other side ---one way or another. I know there is a alot of people with chiari out there who have gotten SSD---just need some " hope " at this point! > Thanks! > Sally G. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Thanks to all that responded here and privetly regarding my SSD hearing. I appreciate all your support and will let you know the outcome. Sally G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Hi Group. I wanted to relay an article in the USA Today paper dated Monday, July 30, 2007 that is entitled " Disabled Worker Cases at a Record. " It discuses " some wait years for claims hearing. " The article talks about the Social Security Administration facing a growing record of applicants applying for SSI/SSDI that it is creating a large backlog of appeals. It stated that as of June 2007, there were 745,000 cases pending and the average wait for a hearing was 17 months. It also stated that in some parts of the country, applicants must wait up to 31 months and some " have died waiting for a hearing. " They expect the backlog to double in six years and report it could reach 1 million by 2010. Only two years away. What's the problem? Congress providing $1 billion less to Social Security as well as field offices losing 2,300 workers in less than 2 years. The last time staffing was so low, it was the 1970's. The last statistic reported that out of 2.5 million people who file disability claims each year, approximately 65% are initially denied. Of those that appeal and eventually go before a judge, 62% of the appeals are approved. But, this waiting period for a federal hearing can vary from state to state. The important point here is to do your homework thoroughly first, BEFORE you call and make an appointment to apply. If Social Security has more than enough information when you actually apply, it will make their job easier and more people should be approved the first time. In the class I took on how to get approved for SSDI the first time, they cited lack of preparation and proof of disability as the primary reasons for rejection. Preparation involves making a list of each and every doctor and hospital visit you have had with the name of the hospital or doctor, complete address, and phone number. Then, calling each of them to request a " Release of Records " so you can obtain all your chart notes yourself. Put on the form, " for SSDI appt. " Collect them all and put them in date order in a binder with dividers. Make a list or spreadsheet of your medications, the doctor who ordered it, the drug name, dose, whether you still take it or not, and ALL the side effects. You can get them on the internet by doing a search for the medication. It doesn't matter if you don't have all the side effects, list them all. Write a history of your life's symptoms starting with the earliest and progress to now. Write down what the symptoms were, who you saw for them, what was the diagnosis, what was the treatment, did the treatment help, do the symptoms still exist, and how they affect your daily life. The last part is very important. How does fatigue, for example, affect your daily life? It makes it difficult to get out of bed and get your kids ready for school. It makes you feel unsafe driving a car. It makes it difficult to focus and retain information. List every single symptom you have as I described. You HAVE to PROVE to Social Security that there is absolutely no way you can work ANY job 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. So, if you are a teacher, you have to prove you can't even work at Mc's. Have a friends and family members write Affidavits that depict how you were when you met and how they have watched your symptoms progress. This must be notarized. You can have as many as you want. Finally, you need to have your Neurologist or Neurosurgeon write a letter on your behalf supporting your decision to apply for SSI/SSDI based on your symptoms, therapy tried, and prognosis for improvement. Do NOT anywhere in your documentation give the impression or say what you CAN do. Leave that out. I hope this helps all of you who need it. Being prepared before you ever make the first phone call to set up an appt to apply for SSI/SSDI is so important. Once you make that first call, the clock is ticking (literally). All my best, p.s. You should be able to find my tips on the CCI files. was working on it. --------------------------------- Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 This is an addendum to my previous post. For those of you who have not been diagnosed with one of the accepted diagnoses, print out information from reputable websites as well as ask your neurologist or neurosurgeon if they will come to court on your behalf to explain your condition and it's affects on your ability to work to the judge. You are legally entitled to representation. Good luck. p.s. For those of you who have to be assessed by a Social Security doctor, know that their doctors are just " run-of-the-mill " doctors who have no special training in any one area and probably never heard of our condition(s). Expect that. Bring printed information from the internet from reputable websites to that appointment. You still need to type out a life history of your symptoms in detail because every medical condition is different and everybody's symptoms are different. You want to describe your symptoms in so much detail that it literally paints a picture of your daily life. That is what stands out more than just a code and a diagnosis from their " accepted list of diagnoses. " And of course, keep copies of everything and get a receipt for everything you give Social Security. Lastly, always get the name of the Adjudicator handling your case and their phone number so you can call, introduce yourself, and ask if they may need anything else. Believe me, it goes a long ways. --------------------------------- Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 My SSDI physician evaluation was an internist; and very versed in Chiari, Ehlers-Danlos. Originally I was scheduled with a chiropractor, but last minute that doctor called in sick and I had an internist, so sometimes you do get a specialist. Best of luck to all, Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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