Re: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

July 17, 2010

I was approved my first time applying for SSDI, having flatback syndrome. I applied 03/01/09 & received my first check 09/03/09. I was very suprised. Even my surgeon who initiated the process said that I should expect to be denied on my first try.

.........................Kathy

July 20, 2010

I had state DIB when I applied for SSDI. Before that, I applied for county

Disability retirement in Feb. '09. I applied for SSDI in April 2009, but I was

denied in June '09. So I appealed it and didn't hear for six months about the

SSDI. I was granted in Jan.'10, and got my first check in Feb. '10. The county

retirement was granted at the beginning of July '09.

Carol V.

>

> Hay all,

>

> A thought came up due to a discussion on another (non-scoliosis) message group

that I am a member of (the U.S. Federal Employee Disability Retirement Forum via

Lawyers.com ), and I wanted to take an informal poll.

>

> As part of applying for U.S. Federal Employee Disability Retirement, those

covered by the " newer " U.S. Federal Employee Retirement System, " Federal

Employee Retirement System " (FERS) must also apply for Social Security

Disability Insurance (SSDI). My application was approved very quickly (compared

to many " stories " that I have heard). I submitted my application on December 26,

2007, and I got my first payment in March 2008 (I was on LWOP beginning

September 1, 2007).

>

> Have others applied for, and been approved for SSDI benefits for issues

relating to or from scoliosis, including flatback syndrome, spinal stenosis,

osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, etc. as noted in the Social Security

" Blue Book " of Disabilities (see sections there of, below). Also, for those

receiving SSDI Benefits, were you approved the first time, or did you appeal?

>

> For anyone not from the United States; but, covered by programs similar to the

U.S. Social Security System (and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI))

please comment about your programs, and if you are receiving benefits.

>

> Social Security Blue Book " of Disabilities (From section " 1.00 Musculoskeletal

System - Adult " ):

>

> L. Abnormal curvatures of the spine. Abnormal curvatures of the spine

(specifically, scoliosis, kyphosis and kyphoscoliosis) can result in impaired

ambulation, but may also adversely affect functioning in body systems other than

the musculoskeletal system. For example, an individual's ability to breathe may

be affected; there may be cardiac difficulties (e.g., impaired myocardial

function); or there may be disfigurement resulting in withdrawal or isolation.

When there is impaired ambulation, evaluation of equivalence may be made by

reference to 14.09A. When the abnormal curvature of the spine results in

symptoms related to fixation of the dorsolumbar or cervical spine, evaluation of

equivalence may be made by reference to 14.09C. When there is respiratory or

cardiac involvement or an associated mental disorder, evaluation may be made

under 3.00ff, 4.00ff, or 12.00ff, as appropriate. Other consequences should be

evaluated according to the listing for the affected body system.

>

> 1.04 Disorders of the spine (e.g., herniated nucleus pulposus, spinal

arachnoiditis, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, facet

arthritis, vertebral fracture), resulting in compromise of a nerve root

(including the cauda equina) or the spinal cord. With:

>

> A. Evidence of nerve root compression characterized by neuro-anatomic

distribution of pain, limitation of motion of the spine, motor loss (atrophy

with associated muscle weakness or muscle weakness) accompanied by sensory or

reflex loss and, if there is involvement of the lower back, positive

straight-leg raising test (sitting and supine);

>

> OR

>

> B. Spinal arachnoiditis, confirmed by an operative note or pathology report of

tissue biopsy, or by appropriate medically acceptable imaging, manifested by

severe burning or painful dysesthesia, resulting in the need for changes in

position or posture more than once every 2 hours;

>

> or

>

> C. Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in pseudoclaudication, established by

findings on appropriate medically acceptable imaging, manifested by chronic

nonradicular pain and weakness, and resulting in inability to ambulate

effectively, as defined in 1.00B2b.

>

July 20, 2010

I am on SSDI for my scoliosis but I appealed 2x and then had to get a lawyer and

go to court. But fortunately I was able to get disability through my employer.

Otherwise I don't know what would've happened. It was 2 years before I actually

got a check. I got all my back pay and the insurance company took the lawyers

fee out of their cut. But this was back in the 90s.

________________________________

From: " RSSSCOLIOSIS@... " <RSSSCOLIOSIS@...>

; ;

Scoliosis Treatment ; Scoliosisnutty@...

Sent: Sat, July 17, 2010 3:47:48 PM

Subject: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Â

Hay all,

A thought came up due to a discussion on another (non-scoliosis) message group