What are my chances of being approved for Social Security Disability?

by **ricki** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:24 am

I am 52 and have a number of issues - a series of MRIs over 2 years showing increased mild to moderate stenosis in 5 different areas of the spine. Narcolepsy, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, depression, history of stroke, ADD, anxiety. I've had 7 sleep labs over the years which show in addition to the narcolepsy, restless leg disorder, alpha/delta wave disorder, and sleep apnea. Over a dozen rounds of physical therapy/pain management. Carpal tunnel in both hands; surgery on right with a 50% disability permanency rating from workers compensation; surgery not performed but recommended for the left. Currently have pain shooting down back and nausea when using computer (have been in IT for 35 years). I cannot lift more than 10 pounds without severe pain, or walk more than a block with difficulty. I have trouble standing for more than 5 minutes or sitting for more than 20. I have numerous problems with activities of daily living, including bathing, housework, dressing myself, cooking. I have short term memory deficits, cognitive processing deficits, and categorical aphasia. I have tried over 50 medications, most of which are unsuitable due to undesirable side effects.

I've been trying to stick it out for the last two years while my workers compensation case has dragged on, and the WC carrier for the very large well known bank I work for has refused to pay any medical bills. In May, I was rear-ended at a stop sign, which aggravated my back injury and caused new knee problems. I have been on disability for several weeks now, and no longer have the strength to continue fighting to work. I often cry at my desk in pain, the doctors will not prescribe pain killers for me although I have no history of addiction. I am fatigued and have difficulty with maintaining the 12-15 hour a day work schedule required for my job, which involves significant customer contact, and maintaining a large number of technical details in my mind at any time. I have been unable to sleep in a bed for the past 8 months, and must sleep sitting up on a couch propped by a number of pillows.

by **camdin90** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:40 am

Apply immediately. Given you are over 50 and what you describe I expect your case would be easily approved. DO NOT go to an attorney. It is unnecessary and you will receive less money in the end.

Fill out the paperwork completely. Do not miss even one question without a N/A. When answering questions be honest, but think about your worst day, not your best day.

Be sure to list ALL your doctors when SSA asks for them. Have their addresses and phones numbers. Contact each of them and tell them you have applied for SSDI. One month after you have applied, call SSA and ask if they have received reports back from all your doctors.

If yes, send those doctors a thank you note. (You may need their help later.)
If no, contact them and ask them when they are going to send the report in.

Call every two weeks until they have received all the reports or you are approved.

Everyone I know who does this (and has a legitimate claim as you clearly do) gets approved within 3 months.

by **gabrielo19** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:44 am

they reject almost everyone the first time, so expect it. chances get better with the 2nd and 3rd applications.

by **troyes** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:48 am

a paralegal is cheaper and knows how to fill out the forms

by **vemados** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:58 am

Sounds like you should already be getting it. Have you applied yet?
You can do it by contacting the social security administration yourself,
or you can hire an attorney who specializes in WC & SSA cases. It sounds like your company is just keeping you around with minimum hours so they can say that you aren't disabled & they won't have to pay for your losses of wages. I'm no expert. Just a person who once got poor treatment from the WC & from my former employer!

Please speak to an Attorney ASAP. The first visit should be free & they take a percentage of the final settlement that the court gives (awards) to the injured worker. The law entitles you to have a 2nd opinion at no charge to you in most states. Sounds like you might need a new doctor. That's why you need to talk to the Attorney first & they might send you to one of their own Doctors.

Hang in there & I hope you have already applied for every type of aid that's currently available in your area. I gather you are from the US. I am & I give my advice based on my own knowledge of US & the WC process. It's a complex issue in this day & age. Please speak to an Attorney ASAP.

by **stephon14** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:12 am

use the words mild to moderate and you will be disqualified quickly...

blood pressure is usually treatable

having a stroke in the past doesn't matter--its how it affects you know

ADD will not qualify you

sleep apnea is not a qualifying condition most of the time unless it is very severe and treatment resistant

10 pounds is a lot--many jobs don't require you to lift 10 pounds

you can stand for 5 minutes -_WOW....on a good day i could stand 3-5 minutes while I was working

full time....

there are jobs that don't require 12-15 hours.......

focus on the other issues that truly make it impossible for you to work--if you were 55 you would have a very good chance..hopefully you are close enough

consider if there is any other job you can do--even if it doesn't pay as much....you can try vocational rehab to see if they can come up with anything

ssdi is for when you can't do ANY job you can be trained for --not just your current job...but once you are 55 they don't expect you to be retrained.

by **tripp** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:24 am

Your best bet is to go to your local SS office and apply. Go in person, don't do it online or over the phone. Once you've started the process there, you'll get forms to fill out in the mail and return to SS, and the forms will ask you about how your medical problems affect your daily activities. In about 3 months you'll either get an award or a denial letter. If you are denied you can appeal, or you can get an attorney. You don't need an attorney until you have filed and been denied. Obviously, if you are approved, you won't even need an attorney. I don't mean to sound harsh, but you need to apply now, and stop wasting time asking about your chances on here. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will have your answer. The longer you delay filing, the longer you will have to wait before you find out. Not everyone is denied the first time, but you need to get the balling rolling by applying now.

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