desicion came today
 

I got the desicion from my remand hearing. From what I read the Judge did'nt believe anything, I take that back he gave alot of weight to the doctor they sent me to for a 4 min. exam. He gave no weight to my doctor, he gave no weight to the therapist who sent a letter, he gave no weight to the rfc and the letter my doctor wrote. He made reference to the statement my wife wrote down on the initial application, and gave that no weight. It was 12 pages long. My doctor said my depression is severe, the judge said mild. I don't know anymore, I feel like I could explode right now. I can't sleep, I can't eat. I can't take it.

Ssd
 

did you have a lawer? do you have a pdoc? they will listin to a phyciatrist useualy I kno spelling stinks,I do hope that you find some help

I have a lawyer, pretty good one, I think. My doctor wants me to see a specilaist, but I just don't have the money.

Decision
 

Whatever you do, don't give up, that's exactly what they want you to do. I may have asked you this before, how old are you? I'm been trying 7 years now!

If you go through the Voc Rehab process they will pay for doc visits, testing, etc.

Are you possibly eligible for Medicaid? Some pysch docs work on a sliding scale. You way want to also check into a pain support group.

By therapist do you mean physical therapist?

The opinions of docs are what count. Supplemental might help a little--with a tough ALJ, he/she will likely ignore them completely--and they can legally get away with it.

The deck maybe stacked against you, but it doesn't mean you won't prevail (even with this ALJ).

i will be 46 next month. filed in 2009.

my wife makes to much money for assistance. My doc wants me to see another doc for my depression, and go to the pain clinic. We have health ins. but of course it does'nt cover everything, and the co-pays are high. I can't even make my house payment, so we don't have gas money to get to any of these places. thanks for your support, I won't give up, I can't, I can't work.

I think I understand your frustration regarding obtaining disability. Have you spoken with your attorney regarding an appeal? Of course, this all takes considerable time.

I do understand the financial aspects regarding finances. Earn just a bit too much money, but not enough money to pay bills.

I wish you well.:confused:

Israel

It was explained to me that if we decline additional recommended treatments, we are giving the SSA the impression that our conditions are well managed. What one could see as not being able to afford copays, they can interpret as being satisfied with your current treatment. If they see that you are not seeing the other doc for the depression, their conclusion can be that you are satisfied with your current depression treatment, which implies to SS that it cannot be severe.

If your current doctor believes that your depression is severe, he could have you committed to a psych facility against your will.....that bypasses the copays for now.

It's difficult to even guess at the specifics, because we don't know the specifics of your case.

Lit Love has provided a lot of advice in this and your other threads about trying to access services and help. I hope that you can find some help.

[brett

If I remeber right wasnt aside from depression the problem happend with a back problem?? Did you have surgery on your back? The system is so unfair!!

I had one surgery in 2007 a laminectomy, not sure of the spelling, and a triple spinal fusion S1 L3-4 in jan. 2010.

I thank all of you for comments, I know your all trying to help.

wow the system really needs changing --im sorry bret I know it's another big blow!! u still as you know have to appeal it ---u have that right and deserve to paid from a system youd paid into in all those years working. its just a unfair proccess.

just decided to touch base with you.and see how your doing so far:confused:..just a concern member who was like you:hug:

hang'n in there Don, I have'nt talk to my lawyer yet on the appeal. I go and see my family doctor today, I am going to ask him to send me to another doctor to help with my depression, someone who can prescribe meds. I don't have the money, thats why I have'nt went sooner.

do you have depression due to the Pain ?? If so you need to control the pain better .... do you have enough work credits to even file for ssd

Bret,

Are you on any meds for the depression now ?

I'm not trying to be nosy.........and no one here should disclose more than they are comfortable with. Sometmes it's easier to give appropriate advice when we know more of the story, but we'll still try to help with more generic advice if the details are vague.

Going through this process, you need to understand that if you aren't under a doctor's care for a condition (and that would include regular evaluation visits and for depression would have to include therapy and/or medications), then according to the SSA, it's not a problem for you. They generally only consider a medical issue disabling if it REQUIRES treatment (an exception there would be blindness). If you aren't getting treatment, they will assume that you do not require it, so your condition "can't" be that bad according to them.

If you aren't on meds for depression and/or receivng therapy regularly, then you wouldn't meet the SSA's standards for having a severe impairment. I'm concerned that that may have been what happened......and that you were surprised that they found your depression to be mild when your doctor said it was severe. IF that was what hapened, I don't understand why your lawyer wouldn't have told you that the SSA will assume that a condition is not severe if you aren't getting treament for it.

Sadly, you aren't the first person to post here who might have inadequate medical documentation beause of issues with access to care. Many have suffered financial devastation during years without income waiting for benefits. I've read too many stories here about other members having to declare bankruptcy, losing the family home, etc. The irony is......if you had a monthly SSDI check and Medicare coverage you would be more able to manage the costs of accessing care. It's a catch 22 because you have trouble accessing medical care, so you can't get the SSDI benefits that would help you be able to get adequate medical care. Where's that emoticon with the smiley banging his head against the wall ?

In my general area, several communities have transportation available to help get the elderly and disabled to doctor appointments and shopping. I don't have access to such services where I currently live, but that is part of my planning for my post divorce move. I need to look for housing where I can afford it AND where there is transportation available to help me on days that I can't drive (which is most days).

If you can't afford gas, you might look into free or discounted transportation for the disabled. I hear your complaints about the copays. That's a big bill for me too. Some areas do have free clinics or discounted rates based on your ability to pay. If none of those services are in your area, you may need to move to an area that has more services. That's a big pain and might involve moving away from family and friends, but if that's what you have to do to get the care that you need, then that's what you HAVE to do.

Our health challenges can take over our whole lives. It's not just the pain/disability that make taking care of ourselves and trying to feel decent so difficult..........relationships with family and friends are affected, the loss of employment and the positive self worth that comes from that, ruining our financial plas for our futures...........it's not just our bodies that are affected

Hang in there ! :hug:

Thank you for your reply, Yes I have been on medications for depression thru my family doctor for over five years, I went to see him yesterday and we talked, and he decided to send me to a psychiatrist. So yes I have been treated for my depression by my family doctor for over five years. I thank you for the insight to people who can help, I was at the salvation army yesterday to get help for my heat, and elc. bills. I have been through physical therapy for my back 4 or 5 times, 7 or 8 injections in my back, the first surgery lamenectomy, and my triple spinal fusion, 6 to 8 weeks at the pain clinic, and my family doctor has been my source for pain managment. I also have had a vocational rehab test done, and my doctor has filed out 3 or 4 rfc forms. All of this since my injury oct. 2005. I am on morphine twice a day and norco in between, and effexor twice a day. Thank you again.

Denial now
 

With your problems, it's just a matter of time, hang in there.

It sounds weird to say, "I'm glad to hear that" ,Bret.

Obviously, I wouldn't wish depression and chronic pain on anyone (and not just because I KNOW what that feels like ;)), but I was concerned that maybe you weren't on anything for depression and didn't have any doctor following that, which would mean that the SSA would not recognize it as being a serious problem for you. I wouldn't want to see you believing that you should get benefits (and waiting even longer) if you did not meet the SSA's criteria.

I'm happy to hear that you have been regularly evaluated and receiving treatment.......even though I'm sorry that you have those needs :hug:

The wait, when you KNOW that you are disabled and you can't get the SSA to recognize that, is beyond frustrating. The 3 years that I had to wait seemed like forever.......I can't imagine if it was 7 + years like you are going through.

I hope that your lawyer is able to do something for you.

7+yrs:eek:i dont know if i could do it either.if all this time your wife has been supporting you.i guess thats how "SSDI"see's it.also there are a lot of people out of work now and there unemployment has run out.so alot of them are trying to apply for that to.:(

Hi Bretd
 

Don showed were you were posting on NT. Don't give up. Your age does work against you, but it isn't impossible. I was 54 when my neck gave way. It took me 4 years, and lots of heart ache. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Get more opinions, and doctors writing personal letters like that. My PCP was the one who got the judge to pay attention. All my best to you. ginnie:grouphug:

this whole "ssdi" is a "nitemare"and a half.the mental and physical strain is unbearable.as my sister "ginnie"can test to that.and as well as you..everyone situation is a little different,but some what to a point similar.its a tough fight.but you have to keep trying.we know how you feel .we have been there and here for you;):grouphug:

I was recently turned down, seems I am not disabled even though my job requires me to drive to get to my jobs and I can't drive because of medications, I have since been diagnosed with a few other medical conditions and got them into the appeal, but seriously, I can't for the life of me figure out the system. I have an abdominal aortic dissection, I shouldn't even be here, but I am not entitled to money that I have worked for just a bit earlier than I planned? I filed for an appeal, what a nightmare that was, 6 hours online!

I would relly consider Good luck.

Better to start a new thread. You don't only have to prove you're not capable of doing your current job, but any job.

Hi Donna
 

If you can get a SSD lawyer to help you file your appeal. That would be the best way to go. Also keep a journal and copies of all your medical records. The process is long (you already found that out) and horrible to go through. An Attorney can keep things moving along a bit better than an individual. Almost nobody tries to do it themselves. If you can ask your doctors to write a personal letter to the aj judge, this can help your case as well. What my PCP wrote, was what got me another look by the judge. It took me four years to qualify. I wish you all the best Donna. ginnie:hug:

This is my second appeal to the appeals council, and I have had a lawyer the whole time, my doctor did write a letter to the judge. It has been almost four years. You signed off best wish's Donna, I am bret, you must have gotten confused. Thank you for your reply.

always confused!
 

Sorry Bret, I tend to confuse things at times. It's in my nature. I do hope you can get disability. I was turned down three times, and it wasn't fun any of those times. Just keep up with the effort you are doing. Bret, it is a very hard thing to go through, just stay strong and hopeful. I don't get alot from disability as I became disabled to young. However I do get medical care, which up until that point was next to impossible. I had pre-existing conditions and never qualified for health insurance. So.... that long road to get disability had to go forward. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie:grouphug:

^^^this type of confusion is why it would be better for Donna (and polite to Bret) to start her own thread.

I find that hard to believe, i was told work that you are accustomed to performing. I only replied to bret's thread to let him know he was not alone, there are many who are turned down and do appeal.

You don't have enough information to give anyone that kind of an answer, the funny thing is, I appealed and already have a hearing date. If you knew as much as you claim, you would know that some people are disabled to the point where one more day, without pain is a blessing. I have to blow into a tube to work a computer to type this *admin edit*.I have plenty of respect for Bret and every poster here, I don't know what I did to offend you, but God bless you, you need it more than I do.

Bret: I don't want to further derail your thread but I'm going to quote my own post from the Sticky above, "Don't start your claim unprepared" since it is important for people to understand the evaluation process.

Donna:
A good place to start is with the stickies at the top of the forum. NOLO Press also publishes an excellent book on the SSDI/SSI application process. I'm really not sure why your so offended by my posts, since you admittedly don't understand the process. I post information that I believe will be of help. (This can include disagreeing with advice I believe is incorrect. It's nothing personal.)

Bret:
This is a great link to read: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surve...system_monitor
You don't want to be denied based on a technicality...

Lit Love is 100% correct. IN fact that is one of the questions that an ALJ will often ask a vocational jobs expert at the hearing ; are there any jobs in the economy that this person can do?

Hi there
I had to do a small edit a few posts back as we do prefer members not make negative personal remarks to each other.

Donna, it really would be best to have your own thread as that way bretd's thread doesn't get further confused. I am able to split off the posts related to your case from here, or you can start your own new thread. Let me know what you prefer.

It would be best now if this thread gets back on the topic related to bretd's case.
thanks

Here's an even more detailed description of "Other Work" : http://www.socialsecuritydisabilityr...ther_Work.html

I was approved for ssd in feb 2013 for depression and chronic anxiety. I was denied the first time on my own and the second time I was approved with a ssd attorney. I had yrs of papework from being hospitalized ( my attorney) says that helps. I also had psychiatrists, counselors and of course family doctors notes. Its so important to have these things. Having just a family doctor isn't enough ......you have to show that you have been working with a Dr that works with someone with your condition. I wish you the best!!! I know it isn't easy living with depression.

Having just gone through the process with husband and hearing with ALJ Judge, LIT Love is correct. Husband had vocational expert at his hearing and Judge did ask if he could do his past work, answer NO. Can he do any other work with his education, experience, skill level. She found 3 jobs but they found that considering his medical/physical limitations he couldn't do those jobs. Some skills are transferable and some are not. SS provides descriptions of those "skills". He did win his case just recently.

Wish you the best in your appeal hearing...

I also was found unable to do my past job at the ALJ hearing and the vocational expert came up with three jobs and my lawyer said "would a person be able to do those jobs if they could only perform them for an hour a day and missed 3 or more days a month"? The vocational expert said "No, in a case like that there would be no jobs the person could perform". I was still denied. This was after I had liver and kidney failure and could barely get out of bed to bath and use the bathroom. Plus I have a whole list of other conditions. Every condition I have is on their disability list of qualifying conditions. How did I get denied? I don't understand. If someone has any insight into how they make a decision, I would love to hear it. To me it seems totally random on who is accepted and who is denied.
Brain

The ALJ usually phrases the Voc Counselor questions as a hypothetical. So if the ALJ decides the medical documentation fits the RFC, then he/she will likely find a FF decision if the Voc Counselor determines no other work could be performed.

But, why you were denied? The only way to hazard a guess would be to read the transcript and the decision, and to look at your file.