Kittypaw

Do appeal the decision. Do you have a representative (usually a disability attorney) working on your behalf? If not, might be time to consider that.

Also, you may want to call your local SSA office about your denial letter. Perhaps they don't have all your medical records and such.

Another option, see if your local Congressman/woman office gets involved with disability claims. You are after all a voter I would presume, and they sure like to be re-elected to office.

I had my congressman's office get involved in mine (on advice of my local SSA office), and woah nothing like congressional interest to push through the barriers and delays.

Sounds like this was your first denial letter. So definitely get in touch with the local office, inquire on what records they actually have to determine what more they need. And file your appeal.

My guess is the hangup is at the state level, not local level.