Approved for Social Security
 

And on the first try, with no attorney assistance. It's good to know that the diagnosis of RSD/CRPS is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

I hope that this encourages the rest of you who are in the process of applying or considering applying. Be thorough, and keep records of EVERYTHING, even if you don't think now that you'll need them.

Congrats...


Gabbycakes

I was also approved on the first try with no lawyer. Congrats to you!! I know that must take a little weight off your shoulders....really happy for you. I agree that documentation of all your diagnosis is key. I had records from over 10 doctors. I travelled to TX for 6 months to see Dr. Rhodes & saw him 7 days a week while I was there. So, I was fortunate to have daily documentation for months & lots of docs agreeing that there was no way I could work. It is such a frustrating process , which is the last thing us RSDers need. Those of you still trying......keep at it! Don't give up!!!

That's awesome news PP !

I remember that sense of relief !

That is awesome news. yes I remembered when I got approved too it was a awesome feeling. yes importantly save and ask for every paper copied.

Congratulations! It took my wife some years before she was approved last nov-2. She will receive 3.5 years back pay but have not seen a dime yet. She has received her medicare coverage. :)

Really?? I wonder why? I was approved on Tuesday & got my back pay today.

As everyone else has said, I can't help but reiterate: KEEP YOUR RECORDS. Politely but firmly insist on copies of everything, even if you don't think you'll need it. We found our copier-printer-scanner to be very useful. We have scanned backups every every single record also.

We had many issues with doctors, hospitals, etc. not sending records, but since we'd gone personally and gotten so many, we were able to hand carry a huge stack (like 5 inches tall) over to our local Social Security office). I really think that made a difference.

Also if you haven't already, start keeping a log of every single doctor's appointment, therapy appointment, ER visit, etc., along with a complete list of every medical provider. You'll find it very helpful, and you won't have to go back through the painful process of recreating it later. (Ask me how I know.... :rolleyes:)

If RSD/CRPS has gotten to the stage that it is preventing you from your daily duties, or you suspect that it may in the near future, I encourage you to at least begin investigating the process. It takes time (I have never heard of a case being approved as quickly as mine, in fact), but it's worth it in the end, especially when you've been paying into it your entire adult life.

I can only assume it could be some States may take longer and or her case goes back 4 years. Since she will receive 3.5 years back pay I guess this could hang things up perhaps. One reason, I was told, is SS wants to make sure she did not collect SSI or some other benefit such as WC, medicaid etc. in which she did not.

congratulations!
I need encouragement to apply for my Disability Living Allowance here in UK.
I have the application form at home, there is so many questions!
i dont feel ready to apply and go through the process, so I postpone my claiming for now. but in few months i will send those papers! I heard that many RSD patients were denied here, and its just great to know you were granted yours in USA. Its a sign of recognition and respect from authorities for what we have been through.
thanks for sharing your victory!
lots of love
Carla

Oh, I bet that is it. I think I heard that SS is a federal program but it is administered by the individual states, now that you mention it.

That just stinks. :(

Congrats to you!! I am so glad that you are back to posting again, I really missed you. Lisa

Aww, thank you, Lisa! That makes me feel good. :hug:

I just sent mine last week and had my phone conference. The SS people are much more pleasant, so far, than the Dept of Labor.

There is hope. Thanks for the encouragement.
pat e

You're welcome. There is indeed hope. Seeing our disease legitimized, recognized by national entities such as Social Security and the National Organization of Rare Diseases, helps in the face of those who still think we're somehow making this up. I only wish that I were..... Like I told my husband yesterday, yes, the extra income from SS is helpful, but it's not like I could feel well enough to spend it anyway. If anything, we'll likely end up spending it on someone to assist with caretaking.

Thanks for the morale booster and congratulations. I applied with no lawyer help and was denied in December on my first try.

I was dx 9 months ago with RSD in upper and lower limb after sympathetic blocks helped the burning, sweating and sensitivity. Since then those issues have not returned (yeah!) but I still have chronic back pain. My lumbar MRI now shows additional bulges and a tear that were not there a year ago. The steroid injections I've gotten have helped immensely. My pain dr said the injections last 3-6 months. I can sit, stand and walk, although not all day, so I really question if I'm disabled in their eyes. :confused2:

congrats patty! how long did the entire process take from applying to receiving the benefits?

I began in April 2010; finished submitting paperwork in August 2010; was approved on January 26 and had backpay (to April 2010) direct deposited yesterday. Pretty quick, eh?

Yes, after so long without a paycheck and WC Dept of Labor denied my claims for compensation saying my issue is not related to my injury!

We are living so frugally, if we ever do get back pay we could probably do the things we cancelled because of the accident & having to buy another car, cover low compensation rate, ya da ya da yada. I had money set aside for new carpet, ours is 15 yrs old. That money is now sitting in the drive way. But living frugally isn't to bad yet. But by the time they figure every thing out, it may be getting old, but then again so am I.

Have a quiet weekend.
pat e

Hello Mycah,
My steroid block in my sacroiliac really helped with the swelling and 2 1/2 months later is still pretty good, but my brain issues and headaches have returned and I've had another block w/anesthesia. Some benefit, but not as much as hoped for. My husband was disappointed.

I have relief but I still can't wear socks or whole shoes or walk more than 200 yds a day.

My lawyer was pretty confident I'd be ok. I guess we'll see.
Our situations might be different by time for an interview.
Patiently waiting,
pat e

Congrats on the SSI! Amazed that you were approved on the first try. I applied, but was denied the first time even though they didn't look at all my medical reports because they kept "forgetting". I contacted an attorney about 6 or 7 months ago, and he has requested the SSI department reconsider and they actually are requesting more medical now and will set a hearing after that it is received. The attorney feels very good about my situation, as he doesn't understand the initial denial. I have been disabled basically since my first surgery in Dec of 2007, and have medical reports proving that I have been unable to work ever since (I had surgeries in 2008 that even required 6 months non-weight bearing), so that covers the one year disability requirement. I currently am unable to work, I had a spinal stim implanted originally in Sept of 10 and it had to be re-done due to lead migrations and my battery moving to where it was sticking about half an inch out and could not communicate with controller or charging system in Dec of 10. Since the Dec surgery, the RSD has flared/spread and now has affected my back, my arms, hands, fingers and both legs. Some days, I feel like it has affected my head, as I will get "jolts" in my brain and horrible headaches.

SSI initially said I could still perform a sedentary NO STRESS only type job. Now, I can't even sit for long (spine hurts badly where the implant, leads and battery is at), lay, stand or walk for long periods. Not to mention the dry mouth, confusion, anxiety, touchiness, and fatigue. Besides, has anyone really heard of a job that is sedentary with NO stress? I sure haven't...

Congrats again, and hope you have more good days then bad!

Congratulations Peppermint Patty! It is so good to hear of others with RSD/CRPS being approved for SSDI on their first try. Good Luck gram E. I pray your are approved on your first try and very quickly. Just to give you some hope, I was approved on my first try. My last day of work was Feb 29, 2008. I turned in my paperwork in mid-June and was approved in September and received my first check in October. My review period is 5-7 years. The paperwork was a nightmare but it does pay to be very thorough as others have said.
Cricket

Congratulations Patty....

I recently was approved for SSDI as well. I used a lawyer to represent me. Hurt to give up the maximum $6k right off the top of my backpay check, but I really did not think I would be approved initially, and felt I would need the lawyer for the appeals process.

The process for me went very quickly.

I met with the lawyer in September, 2010. She filed for me in October, 2010. I was approved in December, 2010. Amazingly quick, considering the horror stories I have heard from some others!

So the take-away is that the SSDI process can go well on occasion. Get all your ducks in a row. As mentioned, have every appt. and treatment documented.

Spend PLENTY of time on the documents Social Security requires you to fill out! Don't exaggerate, but don't minimize!

Good luck to all in the process!