Finally SSD appeal hearing :)

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, I had to stop working as a dental hygienist hunching over pts. in

August of 2008. When I first applied for SSD I was naive and thought people got

denied because they didn't have all their medical records, and letters from

doctors. I made sure I had everything. My neurosurgeon's progress notes, MRI's,

rheumatologist reports, lab work, medications, etc. Over 18 doctors worth. I

dotted every i and crossed every t.

I not only have Chiari, but also have Sjogren's Syndrome (which is on the SSD

list for fast track approval), Fibromyalgia which I think most of us with Chiari

have, possible thyroid cancer, and the list goes on. I even was told by the SSD

physician they sent me to that as far as he was concerned I was disabled but he

doesn't make the final decision.

When I got my denial I truly felt defeated and felt the system was greatly

flawed. I have been working since I was 12 years old and always carried two or

three jobs at a time. I worked three jobs to put myself through college

full-time twice. I am not a slacker trying to work the system. It takes

everything out of me just to care for my 2 year old daughter. She has to drag me

out of bed every morning.

I was surprised to find the case worker working on my file completely left out

any of my rheumatologist records confirming the Sjogren's diagnosis. And even

after 4 neurosurgeons recommended decompression; my denial letter called my

Chiari 13mm " a mild case " .

I figured my only option was to play their game and hire an attorney. I hired a

big firm that advertises all over tv. They have done NOTHING for me, they didn't

even forward on my shut off notices or my threatening foreclosure notice I

received when I tried to get a loan modification on my home. I called SSD

directly and was told a dire need request was never made. I was furious when I

found out. I called the lawyers and they assured me they would take care of it.

I even wrote to my congressman. I called SSD again and found out this lawyer had

done nothing.

I switched lawyers a month ago and just got a letter in the mail yesterday that

I have a hearing date. I am so happy because I was told by SSD that it could

take another 18 to 24 months before I got an appeal hearing.

I don't want to get too excited because I know there is a possibility I can get

denied again, but I guess the reason I am writing this is to let people know to

check into your cases and make sure your attorney has your best interest in

mind. I feel switching attorneys is the smartest move I have made in a long

time.

This condition takes such a toll on us emotionally and physically that we should

not have to worry about struggling financially on top of everything else. If

anyone has been through this process and has any suggestions or advice for my

appeal hearing, please share.