RE: Disability Denial

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike, I know that Social Security is getting very strict with disability cases. You need to go to the Social Security website and see if you have any HIV related condition that warrants going onto disability. As I understand it from my own SSDI case worker, simply having a low t cell count doesn't do it these days. You have to have that PLUS another AIDS defining illness, and that illness must be severe enough to keep you from working. I had to go into great detail as to why I couldn't work because of my KS, and other health problems. I have recurrent Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS related cancer) but I'll probably be denied because SSDI thinks that I can work through any treatments. (I applied 6 weeks ago) Well, six weeks ago I was physically horrible and could hardly get out of bed, and today I'm looking forward to going back to work FT in 3 weeks. SSD needs to understand the rollercoaster ride that HIV causes us. You can be great one day, and bad the

next. Also, your doctors and you should have done a darn good job of documenting every single medical issue. If you have fatigue, document. If you have a fever, document. If you feel sleepy all day long, document. Also, I believe that on the last page of your denial letter, Social security explains in detail the appeals process. I'd appeal that way, and if denied a second time, look for a Social Security lawyer. Good luck on your case. My SSDI worker told me that probably 99% of all cases are denied the first time. It's the appeals process that will get you your disability. Orlando brbreeze wrote: Hello,Since 1991 and prior years, I have suffered from chronic depression, (I lost my bf to AIDS in 1998),

suicidal thoughts, chronic indigestion, (I have been treated for H pylori stomach bacteria), and severe insomnia, and in the last 10 years have had 3 bouts of shingles. I also have a congenital heart condition which, according to a cardiologist I saw in 2002, said I may need surgery in the future to correct it.I was diagnosed with AIDS in August of 2005, and have a current AIDS diagnosis with a t-cell count of 174, and have currently switched to an infectious disease specialist who is going to further treat my condition, since my past MD wasn't sensitive to the plight one suffers from the side effects of the meds, e.g. when I brought up the vein protrusions, the rashes, the thinning of the arms and legs, the indigestion and all the other crap that these meds do to the body, he did not respond with alternatives and said it was the HIV itself that was causing them. NOT TRUE! I have sought treatment for the

depression and chronic insomnia from various therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists in the past who have been unable to successfully treat those problems. Because of my AIDS diagnosis, the chronic insomnia, the weakness and infections that had been brought on by the disease over the years, (I learned that shingles was an opportunistic infection attributed to someone with immunodeficiency) and now, by the severe side effects of the HIV medications, I had to stop working and have not worked since August 31, 2005 and have no income. I had been a co-owner of a lawn and landscape maintenance business, did a lot of hard work in it but did not profit much from it. My partner retired from the business and due to my physical and mental disabilities, I could not continue working in it. The business had to be sold.I then applied for Social Security Disability sometime in December and again on January 26, 2006 and

just received a big fat denial letter 4 days ago from The Social Security Administration. I feel extremely disappointed because I feel I have a valid case. I want to appeal, but do not know how to go about doing it. I live in South Florida. I really don't know what steps to take next. Would legal aid or a lawyer help in my case?Any advice would be appreciated.Sincerely,Mike

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[Guest guest]

Hi Mike, I know that Social Security is getting very strict with disability cases. You need to go to the Social Security website and see if you have any HIV related condition that warrants going onto disability. As I understand it from my own SSDI case worker, simply having a low t cell count doesn't do it these days. You have to have that PLUS another AIDS defining illness, and that illness must be severe enough to keep you from working. I had to go into great detail as to why I couldn't work because of my KS, and other health problems. I have recurrent Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS related cancer) but I'll probably be denied because SSDI thinks that I can work through any treatments. (I applied 6 weeks ago) Well, six weeks ago I was physically horrible and could hardly get out of bed, and today I'm looking forward to going back to work FT in 3 weeks. SSD needs to understand the rollercoaster ride that HIV causes us. You can be great one day, and bad the

next. Also, your doctors and you should have done a darn good job of documenting every single medical issue. If you have fatigue, document. If you have a fever, document. If you feel sleepy all day long, document. Also, I believe that on the last page of your denial letter, Social security explains in detail the appeals process. I'd appeal that way, and if denied a second time, look for a Social Security lawyer. Good luck on your case. My SSDI worker told me that probably 99% of all cases are denied the first time. It's the appeals process that will get you your disability. Orlando brbreeze wrote: Hello,Since 1991 and prior years, I have suffered from chronic depression, (I lost my bf to AIDS in 1998),

suicidal thoughts, chronic indigestion, (I have been treated for H pylori stomach bacteria), and severe insomnia, and in the last 10 years have had 3 bouts of shingles. I also have a congenital heart condition which, according to a cardiologist I saw in 2002, said I may need surgery in the future to correct it.I was diagnosed with AIDS in August of 2005, and have a current AIDS diagnosis with a t-cell count of 174, and have currently switched to an infectious disease specialist who is going to further treat my condition, since my past MD wasn't sensitive to the plight one suffers from the side effects of the meds, e.g. when I brought up the vein protrusions, the rashes, the thinning of the arms and legs, the indigestion and all the other crap that these meds do to the body, he did not respond with alternatives and said it was the HIV itself that was causing them. NOT TRUE! I have sought treatment for the

depression and chronic insomnia from various therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists in the past who have been unable to successfully treat those problems. Because of my AIDS diagnosis, the chronic insomnia, the weakness and infections that had been brought on by the disease over the years, (I learned that shingles was an opportunistic infection attributed to someone with immunodeficiency) and now, by the severe side effects of the HIV medications, I had to stop working and have not worked since August 31, 2005 and have no income. I had been a co-owner of a lawn and landscape maintenance business, did a lot of hard work in it but did not profit much from it. My partner retired from the business and due to my physical and mental disabilities, I could not continue working in it. The business had to be sold.I then applied for Social Security Disability sometime in December and again on January 26, 2006 and

just received a big fat denial letter 4 days ago from The Social Security Administration. I feel extremely disappointed because I feel I have a valid case. I want to appeal, but do not know how to go about doing it. I live in South Florida. I really don't know what steps to take next. Would legal aid or a lawyer help in my case?Any advice would be appreciated.Sincerely,Mike

SEIZE THE DAY! ENJOY TODAY, SMELL THE ROSES AND HUG YOURSELF

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[Guest guest]

You don’t need an ‘AIDS

defining condition’, or OI.  You COULD qualify with a constellation of

problems which disable you from the activities of daily living – a set of

things which add up to disability. Key, is what is in your med records, what a

med expert would testify too.  And yeah, document, document, document.  IF

relying on the ‘constellation’ approach, which evidently is what

you are doing, denial is more often first time ‘round.

Get a lawyer to appeal it NOW.  Their pay

is capped.  I believe the next stage may be only an administrative law

judge-hearing, rather than a full up Court: that is, less time, formality, and

expense. 

From:

PozHealth [mailto:PozHealth ] On Behalf Of 32824

Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 5:12

AM

To: pozhealth

Subject: Re:

Disability Denial

Hi Mike,

I know that Social Security is getting very strict

with disability cases. You need to go to the Social Security website and see if

you have any HIV related condition that warrants going onto disability. As I

understand it from my own SSDI case worker, simply having a low t cell count

doesn't do it these days. You have to have that PLUS another AIDS defining

illness, and that illness must be severe enough to keep you from working. I had

to go into great detail as to why I couldn't work because of my KS, and other

health problems. I have recurrent Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS related cancer)

but I'll probably be denied because SSDI thinks that I can work through any

treatments. (I applied 6 weeks ago) Well, six weeks ago I was physically

horrible and could hardly get out of bed, and today I'm looking forward to

going back to work FT in 3 weeks. SSD needs to understand the rollercoaster

ride that HIV causes us. You can be great one day, and bad the next.

Also, your doctors and you should have done a darn

good job of documenting every single medical issue. If you have fatigue,

document. If you have a fever, document. If you feel sleepy all day long,

document.

Also, I believe that on the last page of your denial

letter, Social security explains in detail the appeals process. I'd appeal that

way, and if denied a second time, look for a Social Security lawyer.

Good luck on your case. My SSDI worker told me that

probably 99% of all cases are denied the first time. It's the appeals process

that will get you your disability.

Orlando

brbreeze

wrote:

Hello,

Since 1991 and prior years, I have suffered from

chronic depression,

(I lost my bf to AIDS in 1998), suicidal thoughts,

chronic

indigestion, (I have been treated for H pylori

stomach bacteria),

and severe insomnia, and in the last 10 years have

had 3 bouts of

shingles. I also have a congenital heart condition

which, according

to a cardiologist I saw in 2002, said I may need

surgery in the

future to correct it.

I was diagnosed with AIDS in August of 2005, and

have a current AIDS

diagnosis with a t-cell count of 174, and have

currently switched to

an infectious disease specialist who is going to

further treat my

condition, since my past MD wasn't sensitive to

the plight one

suffers from the side effects of the meds, e.g.

when I brought up

the vein protrusions, the rashes, the thinning of

the arms and legs,

the indigestion and all the other crap that these

meds do to the

body, he did not respond with alternatives and

said it was the HIV

itself that was causing them. NOT TRUE!

I have sought treatment for the depression and

chronic insomnia from

various therapists, psychologists and

psychiatrists in the past who

have been unable to successfully treat those

problems.

Because of my AIDS diagnosis, the chronic

insomnia, the weakness and

infections that had been brought on by the disease

over the years,

(I learned that shingles was an opportunistic

infection attributed

to someone with immunodeficiency) and now, by the

severe side

effects of the HIV medications, I had to stop

working and have not

worked since August 31, 2005 and have no income. I

had been a co-

owner of a lawn and landscape maintenance

business, did a lot of

hard work in it but did not profit much from it.

My partner retired

from the business and due to my physical and

mental disabilities, I

could not continue working in it. The business had

to be sold.

I then applied for Social Security Disability

sometime in December

and again on January 26, 2006 and just received a

big fat denial

letter 4 days ago from The Social Security

Administration. I feel

extremely disappointed because I feel I have a

valid case. I want to

appeal, but do not know how to go about doing it.

I live in South

Florida. I really don't know what steps to take next. Would legal

aid or a lawyer help in my case?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mike

SEIZE THE

DAY! ENJOY TODAY, SMELL THE ROSES AND HUG YOURSELF

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone

Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

You don’t need an ‘AIDS

defining condition’, or OI.  You COULD qualify with a constellation of

problems which disable you from the activities of daily living – a set of

things which add up to disability. Key, is what is in your med records, what a

med expert would testify too.  And yeah, document, document, document.  IF

relying on the ‘constellation’ approach, which evidently is what

you are doing, denial is more often first time ‘round.

Get a lawyer to appeal it NOW.  Their pay

is capped.  I believe the next stage may be only an administrative law

judge-hearing, rather than a full up Court: that is, less time, formality, and

expense. 

From:

PozHealth [mailto:PozHealth ] On Behalf Of 32824

Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 5:12

AM

To: pozhealth

Subject: Re:

Disability Denial

Hi Mike,

I know that Social Security is getting very strict

with disability cases. You need to go to the Social Security website and see if

you have any HIV related condition that warrants going onto disability. As I

understand it from my own SSDI case worker, simply having a low t cell count

doesn't do it these days. You have to have that PLUS another AIDS defining

illness, and that illness must be severe enough to keep you from working. I had

to go into great detail as to why I couldn't work because of my KS, and other

health problems. I have recurrent Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS related cancer)

but I'll probably be denied because SSDI thinks that I can work through any

treatments. (I applied 6 weeks ago) Well, six weeks ago I was physically

horrible and could hardly get out of bed, and today I'm looking forward to

going back to work FT in 3 weeks. SSD needs to understand the rollercoaster

ride that HIV causes us. You can be great one day, and bad the next.

Also, your doctors and you should have done a darn

good job of documenting every single medical issue. If you have fatigue,

document. If you have a fever, document. If you feel sleepy all day long,

document.

Also, I believe that on the last page of your denial

letter, Social security explains in detail the appeals process. I'd appeal that

way, and if denied a second time, look for a Social Security lawyer.

Good luck on your case. My SSDI worker told me that

probably 99% of all cases are denied the first time. It's the appeals process

that will get you your disability.

Orlando

brbreeze

wrote:

Hello,

Since 1991 and prior years, I have suffered from

chronic depression,

(I lost my bf to AIDS in 1998), suicidal thoughts,

chronic

indigestion, (I have been treated for H pylori

stomach bacteria),

and severe insomnia, and in the last 10 years have

had 3 bouts of

shingles. I also have a congenital heart condition

which, according

to a cardiologist I saw in 2002, said I may need

surgery in the

future to correct it.

I was diagnosed with AIDS in August of 2005, and

have a current AIDS

diagnosis with a t-cell count of 174, and have

currently switched to

an infectious disease specialist who is going to

further treat my

condition, since my past MD wasn't sensitive to

the plight one

suffers from the side effects of the meds, e.g.

when I brought up

the vein protrusions, the rashes, the thinning of

the arms and legs,

the indigestion and all the other crap that these

meds do to the

body, he did not respond with alternatives and

said it was the HIV

itself that was causing them. NOT TRUE!

I have sought treatment for the depression and

chronic insomnia from

various therapists, psychologists and

psychiatrists in the past who

have been unable to successfully treat those

problems.

Because of my AIDS diagnosis, the chronic

insomnia, the weakness and

infections that had been brought on by the disease

over the years,

(I learned that shingles was an opportunistic

infection attributed

to someone with immunodeficiency) and now, by the

severe side

effects of the HIV medications, I had to stop

working and have not

worked since August 31, 2005 and have no income. I

had been a co-

owner of a lawn and landscape maintenance

business, did a lot of

hard work in it but did not profit much from it.

My partner retired

from the business and due to my physical and

mental disabilities, I

could not continue working in it. The business had

to be sold.

I then applied for Social Security Disability

sometime in December

and again on January 26, 2006 and just received a

big fat denial

letter 4 days ago from The Social Security

Administration. I feel

extremely disappointed because I feel I have a

valid case. I want to

appeal, but do not know how to go about doing it.

I live in South

Florida. I really don't know what steps to take next. Would legal

aid or a lawyer help in my case?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mike

SEIZE THE

DAY! ENJOY TODAY, SMELL THE ROSES AND HUG YOURSELF

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone

Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

You don’t need an ‘AIDS

defining condition’, or OI.  You COULD qualify with a constellation of

problems which disable you from the activities of daily living – a set of

things which add up to disability. Key, is what is in your med records, what a

med expert would testify too.  And yeah, document, document, document.  IF

relying on the ‘constellation’ approach, which evidently is what

you are doing, denial is more often first time ‘round.

Get a lawyer to appeal it NOW.  Their pay

is capped.  I believe the next stage may be only an administrative law

judge-hearing, rather than a full up Court: that is, less time, formality, and

expense. 

From:

PozHealth [mailto:PozHealth ] On Behalf Of 32824

Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 5:12

AM

To: pozhealth

Subject: Re:

Disability Denial

Hi Mike,

I know that Social Security is getting very strict

with disability cases. You need to go to the Social Security website and see if

you have any HIV related condition that warrants going onto disability. As I

understand it from my own SSDI case worker, simply having a low t cell count

doesn't do it these days. You have to have that PLUS another AIDS defining

illness, and that illness must be severe enough to keep you from working. I had

to go into great detail as to why I couldn't work because of my KS, and other

health problems. I have recurrent Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS related cancer)

but I'll probably be denied because SSDI thinks that I can work through any

treatments. (I applied 6 weeks ago) Well, six weeks ago I was physically

horrible and could hardly get out of bed, and today I'm looking forward to

going back to work FT in 3 weeks. SSD needs to understand the rollercoaster

ride that HIV causes us. You can be great one day, and bad the next.

Also, your doctors and you should have done a darn

good job of documenting every single medical issue. If you have fatigue,

document. If you have a fever, document. If you feel sleepy all day long,

document.

Also, I believe that on the last page of your denial

letter, Social security explains in detail the appeals process. I'd appeal that

way, and if denied a second time, look for a Social Security lawyer.

Good luck on your case. My SSDI worker told me that

probably 99% of all cases are denied the first time. It's the appeals process

that will get you your disability.

Orlando

brbreeze

wrote:

Hello,

Since 1991 and prior years, I have suffered from

chronic depression,

(I lost my bf to AIDS in 1998), suicidal thoughts,

chronic

indigestion, (I have been treated for H pylori

stomach bacteria),

and severe insomnia, and in the last 10 years have

had 3 bouts of

shingles. I also have a congenital heart condition

which, according

to a cardiologist I saw in 2002, said I may need

surgery in the

future to correct it.

I was diagnosed with AIDS in August of 2005, and

have a current AIDS

diagnosis with a t-cell count of 174, and have

currently switched to

an infectious disease specialist who is going to

further treat my

condition, since my past MD wasn't sensitive to

the plight one

suffers from the side effects of the meds, e.g.

when I brought up

the vein protrusions, the rashes, the thinning of

the arms and legs,

the indigestion and all the other crap that these

meds do to the

body, he did not respond with alternatives and

said it was the HIV

itself that was causing them. NOT TRUE!

I have sought treatment for the depression and

chronic insomnia from

various therapists, psychologists and

psychiatrists in the past who

have been unable to successfully treat those

problems.

Because of my AIDS diagnosis, the chronic

insomnia, the weakness and

infections that had been brought on by the disease

over the years,

(I learned that shingles was an opportunistic

infection attributed

to someone with immunodeficiency) and now, by the

severe side

effects of the HIV medications, I had to stop

working and have not

worked since August 31, 2005 and have no income. I

had been a co-

owner of a lawn and landscape maintenance

business, did a lot of

hard work in it but did not profit much from it.

My partner retired

from the business and due to my physical and

mental disabilities, I

could not continue working in it. The business had

to be sold.

I then applied for Social Security Disability

sometime in December

and again on January 26, 2006 and just received a

big fat denial

letter 4 days ago from The Social Security

Administration. I feel

extremely disappointed because I feel I have a

valid case. I want to

appeal, but do not know how to go about doing it.

I live in South

Florida. I really don't know what steps to take next. Would legal

aid or a lawyer help in my case?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mike

SEIZE THE

DAY! ENJOY TODAY, SMELL THE ROSES AND HUG YOURSELF

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone

Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

Here's what Social Security has to say....... http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/14.00-Immune-Adult.htm#14.08%20Human%20Immunodeficiency%20Virus%20(HIV)%20infection wrote: You don’t need an ‘AIDS defining condition’, or OI. You COULD qualify with a constellation of problems which disable you from the activities of daily living – a set of things which add up to disability. Key, is what is in your med records, what a med expert would testify too. And yeah, document, document, document. IF relying on the ‘constellation’ approach, which evidently is what you are doing, denial is more often first time ‘round. Get a lawyer to appeal it NOW. Their pay is capped. I believe the next stage may be only an administrative law judge-hearing, rather than a full up

Court: that is, less time, formality, and expense. From: PozHealth [mailto:PozHealth ] On Behalf Of 32824Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 5:12 AMTo: pozhealth Subject: Re: Disability Denial Hi Mike, I know that Social Security is getting very strict with disability cases. You need to go to the Social Security website and see if you have any HIV related condition that warrants going onto disability. As I understand it from my own SSDI case worker, simply having a low t cell count doesn't do it these days. You have to have that PLUS another AIDS defining illness, and that illness must be severe enough to keep you from working. I had to go into great detail as to why I couldn't work because of my KS, and other health problems. I have recurrent Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS related cancer) but I'll probably be denied because SSDI thinks that I can work through any treatments. (I applied 6 weeks ago) Well, six weeks ago I was physically horrible and could hardly get out of bed, and today I'm looking forward to going back to work FT in 3 weeks. SSD needs to understand the

rollercoaster ride that HIV causes us. You can be great one day, and bad the next. Also, your doctors and you should have done a darn good job of documenting every single medical issue. If you have fatigue, document. If you have a fever, document. If you feel sleepy all day long, document. Also, I believe that on the last page of your denial letter, Social security explains in detail the appeals process. I'd appeal that way, and if denied a second time, look for a Social Security lawyer. Good luck on your case. My

SSDI worker told me that probably 99% of all cases are denied the first time. It's the appeals process that will get you your disability. Orlando brbreeze wrote: Hello,Since 1991 and prior years, I have suffered from chronic depression, (I lost my bf to AIDS in 1998), suicidal thoughts, chronic indigestion, (I have been treated for H pylori stomach bacteria), and severe insomnia, and in the last 10 years have had 3 bouts of shingles. I also have a congenital heart condition which, according to a cardiologist I saw in 2002, said I may need surgery in the future to correct it.I was diagnosed with AIDS in August of 2005, and have a current AIDS diagnosis with a t-cell count of 174, and have currently switched to an infectious disease specialist who is going to further treat my condition, since my past MD wasn't sensitive to the plight one suffers from the side effects of the meds, e.g. when I brought up the vein protrusions,

the rashes, the thinning of the arms and legs, the indigestion and all the other crap that these meds do to the body, he did not respond with alternatives and said it was the HIV itself that was causing them. NOT TRUE! I have sought treatment for the depression and chronic insomnia from various therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists in the past who have been unable to successfully treat those problems. Because of my AIDS diagnosis, the chronic insomnia, the weakness and infections that had been brought on by the disease over the years, (I learned that shingles

was an opportunistic infection attributed to someone with immunodeficiency) and now, by the severe side effects of the HIV medications, I had to stop working and have not worked since August 31, 2005 and have no income. I had been a co-owner of a lawn and landscape maintenance business, did a lot of hard work in it but did not profit much from it. My partner retired from the business and due to my physical and mental disabilities, I could not continue working in it. The business had to be sold.I then applied for Social Security Disability sometime in December and again on

January 26, 2006 and just received a big fat denial letter 4 days ago from The Social Security Administration. I feel extremely disappointed because I feel I have a valid case. I want to appeal, but do not know how to go about doing it. I live in South Florida. I really don't know what steps to take next. Would legal aid or a lawyer help in my case?Any advice would be appreciated.Sincerely,Mike SEIZE THE DAY! ENJOY TODAY, SMELL THE ROSES AND HUG YOURSELF Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice.