Just got my second denial letter from Social Security

General Support
1

and I am SO mad! I cannot believe the SSDI people are so incredibly stupid. I CANNOT work. My stress levels are through the roof, my PsA is getting worse every day. I have nerve damage, my knees and back are shot, I can barely get out of my recliner most days...and they STILL insist on calling what I have osteoarthritis. I DON'T HAVE OSTEOARTHRITIS, and never even mentioned that as a possibility. What is WRONG with these people??????

They think I should be able to sail into a position doing general ledger accounting, which I did without any training whatsoever 20 years ago. These days you have to have a degree in accounting to do that. I don't. I have a B.A. in anthropology (worthless), and a M.S. in organizational psychology. I would be out more days for sick days than I would be able to actually work! Not to mention, about the 2nd or 3rd time I call in, the job would be unceremoniously yanked from under me because I CAN'T WORK. Oh...not to mention the fact that thanks to the biologics that I take my immune system is suppressed so anytime anyone walked in with a cold and breathed on me I'd be out sick as a dog within days.

My own doctors (3 of them) have told me that I cannot work or it will kill me. Death. You would think the SSDI folks would take that into consideration, but NO. Of course not. So now I appeal. Oh my good dear God I am so tired. I guess the only way to get disability in this day and age is to completely give up, get several hospitalizations that you can't pay for under your belt (instead of pushing through the pain and life threatening misery), try suicide a few times so you can get even more meds to take....and overemphasize EVERY SINGLE TINY PAIN to every doctor you see until you don't know what is truth and what are lies anymore. I guess being a strong, self-assured woman that refuses to give into this horrific maelstrom of biologic failing just isn't quite "sick" enough. Jerks.

2

Well you probably should get some professional help. A work revaluation from your local Voc Rehab agency stating you can't work nor can you be retrained to work at a job that will supply you with more than 835.00/month (approx) You do understand there will be a two year waiting period for medicare so you need to have plans for medical insurance. If you are going to claim you have disease that will kill you if you work, then you need to have one and the Diagnostic code for it. One of the things that may be a problem with your axis diagnoses a good advocate will get that fixed. Secondly if you are taking drugs that require you to be in isolation then you need to be taking drugs that require isolation. If not you need documentation that the drugs you are taking react in an unusual manner. There decision is based on what they see documented not how you feel act or talk. If Diagnoses is PsA, you are being treated with Standard medications you will be denied. You need a lot more documentation from more sources than Doctors notes and application. The simple fact is well over 90% of folk with aggresive treatment for PsAare able to work in some manner with appropriate accommodations and training. You will have to document well that you are not part of that vast number.

Thats why you need help

3

We did my husband's disability through a lawyer. Money well spent.

4

Heres an organization who can help and is one Bens friends partners with:

http://www.bensfriends.org/partner-advocacy/

No one should try to wade through the process alone. It works and frankly works well IF (and its a big if) one can eliminate the emotion and speak the language.

5

Thanks guys. I just needed to vent. I'm fine. I'm always fine.

I have an attorney who specializes in Disability (there was a whole miasma of issues associated with that as well, but that's a rant for another time). They have already been contacted and are starting the appeals process.

I woke up this morning with about 40 new patches of psoriasis, which is my barometer for my emotional state - and that was BEFORE I got the letter. Apparently...my emotional state is not so good :/. Every time I get stressed out I break out. I had already been breaking out over the last couple of weeks with new little patches over my elbows, arms, legs, back, and scalp, so now I have a bunch of new ones to keep the old ones company. sigh. The last time this happened, I ended up with over 300 patches on my left arm alone (I stopped counting after that - it was too depressing). About 90% of my body was covered with the stuff.

Oh...and today I can't seem to use my thumbs. It happens (shrug).

I appreciate your good advice.

tntlamb: I am attending a free clinic right now for people with no medical insurance/low income. Their purpose is to help those of us with chronic illnesses get the treatments we need - they do labwork med maintenance, etc. In fact, I need to go there this Saturday to get the results of my latest blood work. The doc there seems to be nice, but I don't know how up to speed he is on autoimmune disorders. Looks like a learning process for both of us. I will take a look at the link you posted to see if they can help. I'm a little worried about getting health insurance because right now my Enbrel (and hopefully soon, Remicaide instead) is provided by the patient assistance program. If I get insurance, they will cover prescriptions...but I'm sure it won't pay for the whole cost (those things are EXPENSIVE!!)...so I will lose the patient assistance that I have, and will have to go off the biologics. Has anyone else found this to be the case?

Mostly, this little rant was me giving into my own pathetic pity party. It will pass soon, and I'll be okay. I worked in the nonprofit world for 10 years, so I am good at finding creative solutions to problems that seem insurmountable. Just got break past the brain fog, try to get some sleep (insomnia SUCKS), and figure out what my game plan will be. And no, I really have no intention of going to a doctor and overemphasizing anything. Its not in my makeup to do so. If anything, though, I need to stop glossing over my symptoms and have a real heart to heart with the doc about what is going on. I thought I did that the last time with my Rheumy, but maybe that just wasn't enough (and I've had several new symptoms crop up since then). I have an appt with the Rheumy in Texas for the day after Thanksgiving. We'll see how that goes.

Thanks again, everyone.

6

Well It just so happens that I spoke with the EN-courage people today. I had the same question. Their plan is pretty simple. They will continue to supply assistance based on income guidelines. Their hope is that they can supply the meds and bill your insurance. They will pick up anything that the insurance won't pay. HOWEVER the contract is clear that any assistance they provide will not count towards copay or out pocket limits.

Your medical reports won't count for much without an impairment rating from someone like voc rehab. Social Security will pay for it as will most states.

So here is some Homework.

Review this again: http://www.psoriasis.org/access-care/disability

Read this: http://www.okrehab.org/seekers/seekers-vr.htm

Read this: http://www.okrehab.org/seekers/vr_svc/7steps.htm

Call this for a refferal/apointment: 800.845.8476 Toll Free

Make SURE you keep your SSD application active BUT DO NOT proceed without a Voc Rehab recommendation and well put together case. If you get turned down a third time you move into a special kind of hell called administrative court. You don't want to go there.

I will repeat again you can tell anyone you want how bad off you are, how miserable you are, how much you hurt etc. and the only people who will care is this board. You are not being denied because you haven't convinced them how bad off you are. You are being denied because you have failed to prove you are disabled as a result. You may or may not have been around when I have spoke of the person who takes the SSDI aps in my town. It happens to be a quadriplegic with obvious painful tics who is on a respirator and taps out the application with a straw on a touch screen. Its a piece of cake once you prove you can't work.

7

Again, Lamb...thank you. You are awesome. I'll be making a call to the VR folks today and will set up an appointment. You would think, that with the attorney supposedly "helping" me with this, that they would have mentioned this little step I've seemed to miss...but they didn't. So now, thanks to you, I'll correct that problem.

8


truthfully....I wish there was a job I could do without putting myself at further risk. I've wracked my brain, though, and haven't come up with anything. I'll keep thinking on this, however, and see what I can come up with. Disability seemed like my only option but I need to put that big, beautiful brain of mine to work and see if there isn't another possibility.

9

I'm so sorry you're having so much difficulty with this. It makes you wonder. I guess the government offices worry so much about people who are dishonest...then the honest people who really need help don't get it. It's just so wrong. I hope some of those by suggestions by others help.

I worry about not being able to work at some point....this stuff is scary. I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions.

Good luck ! Feel free to vent anytime of course.

10

11

Boy, do i have a lot to look forward to.... lol... I'm still working for now.... knock on wood... but I know down the road I will be looking to do the same thing...

I have a bone spur... right now... that needs surgery... carpal tunnel in both hands... need a knee replacement...should I get a discount for multiple surgeries.. hehehe... jk... i also have fibro, sleep apnea, insomnia, depression (technically - I just think I'm crazy) degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, polymyalgia, etc. etc. too many to list...

I hope by the time I need to go down this road.. Obamacare will be straightened out... I keep trying to hang on at work because I have to have the medical coverage...Right now.. with health coverage I still pay over $300/mo for prescriptions alone.. that is not including the co-pays which run from $25-$50 - and then on top of that $1,000 deductible and 30% co-insurance... geez... that alone breaks us..

So what is the answer??

12

I understand where you're coming from. I am a disability attorney (ironic, I know), although I am moving away from that area of practice right now because it just hits too close to home and I don't want to think about disability all day every day if I don't have to since I'm hanging by a thread.

That said, if you are under 50, Social Security expects you to adjust to other work regardless of your past work experience. If you're over 50 there are special rules about adjusting to other work, which I would be happy to explain to you. I'm glad to hear you have a disability attorney, but I hope you have hired someone who really knows what they're doing. If not, I recommend you hire a board certified disability attorney and not one of these huge firms on tv with an 800 # that sends an attorney you have never even met to do your hearing. If you have hired that type of attorney, I recommend you meet with some other attorneys to discuss your case.

Something I hope your attorney has told you is that it does not matter what your doctor has told you. The ONLY thing that matters for disability purposes is what the doctors actually put in your medical records. A lot of times, doctors tell patients they shouldn't or can't work, but they don't put it in the record because they just don't have any reason to do so. The doctors are concerned with your symptoms, diagnoses and prescriptions, NOT your limitations so much. What matters most for disability is your limitations. A vocational evaluation would be helpful to submit, and I have also sent my clients to physical therapists for full evaluations (where they actually test how much you can lift, etc.). The most valuable thing you can get is a detailed statement from your treating doctor (or doctors, the more the better!!!!) laying out the reasons why you are unable to work five days a week, eight hours a day, on a regular and continuing basis and why this is expected to last at least 12 consecutive months; the onset date; how many days a month would you be absent from work due to your illness; would you need to take unscheduled breaks at work; would you need to change positions and if so how often; do you have side effects from medications; how long can you sit for one period of time; how long can you sit total in an eight hour day; how often does pain affect your ability to concentrate....and those are just some examples of how your doctor can explain why you are unable to work.

It would NOT be helpful for your doctor to write a note that says "patient is totally disabled to to psA." That may have worked 5 years ago but it won't work now. Make sure your doctors know you've applied for disability and that your records reflect your limitations. If the doctors' statements are not consistent with the records, they will likely not be given significant weight by a judge. If all of your records say you're doing well and your doctor writes a statement that you have no improvement and things are terrible, a judge will say that the doctor is full of crap. If you haven't seen your medical records, order a copy. You would be surprised what they actually say as opposed to what the doctors tell you. I have had judges throw out doctors' opinions.

My clients are always shocked when they get denied disability after their doctors tell them they can't work. There is a major disconnect between doctors and the disability process. MANY doctors think they understand the disability process but I assure you they do not. They have good intentions but this is very dangerous for people applying for disability. A lot of times the patients would have left their jobs anyway because they couldn't take it anymore, but I have had clients who have left their jobs because their doctor told them to stop working and/or recommended they applied for disability, and then they got denied disability. I can't tell you how many times I read medical records where the doctor even noted "recommended pt. apply for disability." Social Security DOES NOT CARE if your doctor wants you to apply for disability. I cannot stress enough that you need the actual limitations you have in writing from the doctor. That will give you your best shot at getting approved. I know how frustrating it is when YOU know your limitations are real and Social Security sends you that ridiculous letter in the mail that says you can practically fly. If it makes you feel any better, they send the same exact letter to everyone...

13

Oh boy. I probably did this wrong. I'm still trying to hang on at work and applied for social security



lillyb1983 said:

I understand where you're coming from. I am a disability attorney (ironic, I know), although I am moving away from that area of practice right now because it just hits too close to home and I don't want to think about disability all day every day if I don't have to since I'm hanging by a thread.

That said, if you are under 50, Social Security expects you to adjust to other work regardless of your past work experience. If you're over 50 there are special rules about adjusting to other work, which I would be happy to explain to you. I'm glad to hear you have a disability attorney, but I hope you have hired someone who really knows what they're doing. If not, I recommend you hire a board certified disability attorney and not one of these huge firms on tv with an 800 # that sends an attorney you have never even met to do your hearing. If you have hired that type of attorney, I recommend you meet with some other attorneys to discuss your case.

Something I hope your attorney has told you is that it does not matter what your doctor has told you. The ONLY thing that matters for disability purposes is what the doctors actually put in your medical records. A lot of times, doctors tell patients they shouldn't or can't work, but they don't put it in the record because they just don't have any reason to do so. The doctors are concerned with your symptoms, diagnoses and prescriptions, NOT your limitations so much. What matters most for disability is your limitations. A vocational evaluation would be helpful to submit, and I have also sent my clients to physical therapists for full evaluations (where they actually test how much you can lift, etc.). The most valuable thing you can get is a detailed statement from your treating doctor (or doctors, the more the better!!!!) laying out the reasons why you are unable to work five days a week, eight hours a day, on a regular and continuing basis and why this is expected to last at least 12 consecutive months; the onset date; how many days a month would you be absent from work due to your illness; would you need to take unscheduled breaks at work; would you need to change positions and if so how often; do you have side effects from medications; how long can you sit for one period of time; how long can you sit total in an eight hour day; how often does pain affect your ability to concentrate....and those are just some examples of how your doctor can explain why you are unable to work.

It would NOT be helpful for your doctor to write a note that says "patient is totally disabled to to psA." That may have worked 5 years ago but it won't work now. Make sure your doctors know you've applied for disability and that your records reflect your limitations. If the doctors' statements are not consistent with the records, they will likely not be given significant weight by a judge. If all of your records say you're doing well and your doctor writes a statement that you have no improvement and things are terrible, a judge will say that the doctor is full of crap. If you haven't seen your medical records, order a copy. You would be surprised what they actually say as opposed to what the doctors tell you. I have had judges throw out doctors' opinions.

My clients are always shocked when they get denied disability after their doctors tell them they can't work. There is a major disconnect between doctors and the disability process. MANY doctors think they understand the disability process but I assure you they do not. They have good intentions but this is very dangerous for people applying for disability. A lot of times the patients would have left their jobs anyway because they couldn't take it anymore, but I have had clients who have left their jobs because their doctor told them to stop working and/or recommended they applied for disability, and then they got denied disability. I can't tell you how many times I read medical records where the doctor even noted "recommended pt. apply for disability." Social Security DOES NOT CARE if your doctor wants you to apply for disability. I cannot stress enough that you need the actual limitations you have in writing from the doctor. That will give you your best shot at getting approved. I know how frustrating it is when YOU know your limitations are real and Social Security sends you that ridiculous letter in the mail that says you can practically fly. If it makes you feel any better, they send the same exact letter to everyone...

14

Thanks for your response! My attorney just sent me a letter that asks exactly those questions for my doctor to fill out at my next appointment (the day after Thanksgiving). I've talked with them and asked them to hold my appeal until after that appointment. I'm also in the process of applying for services through my local disability advocate office for a full and comprehensive evaluation of my ability to work. Of course, there are questions on the application that I'm not sure how to fill out...like what kind of job am I hoping to be able to do. I spent 10 years as a highly underpaid and severely overworked CEO of a nonprofit organization (80-100 hours per week, no overtime, no vacations, no benefits) and got a Masters Degree in Organizational/Industrial Psychology (not to mention the thousands of hours of training that I paid for out of pocket) in order to become qualified to be a board consultant. I have specialized in board development, program development, strategic planning, financial planning in the nonprofit world, volunteer management, fundraising, grant writing, writing policies and procedures, employment law, and board governance. Now that I have a $75,000 student loan for a Masters Degree that I cannot use, I'm a little confused about what I should write there. I've wracked my brain trying to figure out what job I can do that will not make me sicker and that I can get up and go to every day without causing my autoimmune disease to get worse. Even secretary/receptionist jobs state you need to lift xyz lbs and be able to sit, stand, walk, etc for the entire day. I can't do any of that. I can no longer travel, I can no longer stand and do presentations for 8 hour days at board retreats, I can no longer do everything that I've worked so hard the last 10 years for. It is so frustrating!!! Shoot...there are a lot of days I can't get out of my chair, let alone present a professional and competent image.

Ah...I'm just feeling sorry for myself again. Ignore my rant. I've been down with bronchitis all week, and the prednisone is making me crazy with the flushed face, the weird (fierce) food cravings...and no help for all the inflammation. **chants to self: this too shall pass, this too shall pass**

15

I am getting over bronchitis too. Isn't it lovely? I just typed a nice response but my clumsy, swollen fingers somehow deleted it all in one brilliant accidental key stroke. I couldn't have done that if I tried. Anyway, to address Karen's comment about disability, you can work part-time and qualify for disability as long as you don't make more than $1,040 a month. If you make more than that you'll probably get denied fairly quickly, but it is what it is so I wouldn't worry too much. If you make over that amount but plan on changing your hours in the near future, I would consult with an attorney to decide whether you should reapply or appeal.

Wolf, it sounds like you have done some highly skilled work, so Social Security will expect you to transition to other work. You will have to prove that you are limited to less than sedentary work. Essentially, you will have to prove that you can't even do a sitting job of any kind. There isn't much lifting with sedentary work; it involves lifting 10 pounds occasionally. It won't matter that you can't do what you went to school for, what you were trained to do, or what you have done before. One really irritating thing about it is that even though I know the economy sucks and there aren't any jobs out there, Social Security idiots will say there are, so for all intensive purposes, there may as well be one million secretary jobs that involve lifting zero pounds and sitting all day long.

I also struggle with trying to figure out what I will be able to do that won't make this disease worse. Sedentary jobs are stressful and mindless jobs are physically demanding. I suppose I have a stressful job, but I am a partner so I can come in late, I don't have to lift anything heavy, I can take long lunches, I don't really work long hours, etc. I am allowed to take extra breaks. I am allowed excessive absences. Those are accommodations. That is not typical of a sedentary job. A vocational expert would testify that in a competitive work environment, the accommodations I just described are not allowed and if a person needs them, this person would not be employable. I absolutely need them, and I am certain that I am not competitively employable. If I can't stay here, I don't know where else I can go, and I'm hanging by a thread. It's not because I find law stressful. I'm in a small town and it's laid back. The problem is that I am exhausted, my right hand is so stiff I can barely use it, and blah blah blah you know the rest. There isn't any job I can do full time that is going to be tolerable with those problems unless I am able to have accommodations. I understand it's a mess for all of us.

It sounds like you're doing everything the right way with your case, but you will probably have to go through with a hearing since you have a history of skilled work. I haven't read your medical records but that's just my hunch. Don't give up on it. I would recommend keeping a daily journal of your symptoms to submit as evidence as well. It's soft evidence, but it can't hurt.

16

Your rant prompted a great thread. Feel free to rant anytime! :stuck_out_tongue: