Originally Posted by fbodgrl

Sorry it took me a bit to respond. Mentally things have been crazy for me since finding out about the decision.

I went to an independent attorney to discuss the case with him versus the advocate that the LTD company has been paying to handle my case.

I'll start by saying I have decided to accept the decision and file a new claim for the time after the closed period the ALJ gave. It isn't worth it for me to fight it through the appeals council with the chances of losing being so high. No reason to wait all the time for that hearing. I think the time is better spent starting a new claim. The attorney did say that procedurally the ALJ did make some errors. He also said that the way the whole thing was handled was quite unusual.

I have to get over wanting to fight it...which is really because the ALJ was wrong and it makes me SO angry! It is better to start the new claim. Hope it doesn't get denied and if it does I have better representation now. He gave me a lot of ideas on what my doctors need to be documenting, etc. My Rheumatologist has me sending him a letter ( that he won't be putting with my records) documenting symptoms, side effects of my medications, what I can and can't do, etc. So he can better document his records, forms and letters for SSDI. I've also discussed with my pain management doctor what he needs to document better. He as a habit of concentrating on only the RSD in the left arm and not documenting other things like the tendinitis in my right arm, trigger finger on that hand and the fact I can't do repetitive tasks with that arm because of those things. Along with other problems. I also started seeing a chronic pain counselor. My pain doctor has me on Cymbalta and Valium already, but as things go on we may decide to see the Psychiatrist in the practice to add/change medication.

My LTD will be cutting me off as of September 28. The claims associate I deal with said if I get approved for SSDI after that date she would consider reopening my claim(Which would pay me $400 and some odd dollars until retirement age) My feeling is that won't happen. They have an out to not pay me for the next 40+ years and I'm sure they will take it.


__________________