Originally Posted by Jo*mar (Post 1153465)

I would be very careful to not post names, or certain content that may identify you personally.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153468)

I think it might be best to understand your strategy for qualifying for SSDI prior to completing more of this paperwork.

You are all over the place.

Is your claim that your PN is severe enough to qualify for a Listed Impairment?

When you bring up all these issues (with a potential mental or cognitive disability) related to your work, that is a completely different tangent. You were employed at the same job for 25 years. What has changed so that you can longer manage to follow the rules that would ensure your continued employment? Are you receiving treatment for these issues?

(BTW, are you planning to file for retirement and receive a pension?)

What you're describing with regards to your hands doesn't actually seem all that serious. It's annoying, but dropping things won't keep you from working. (I have the same issues, so I can relate.) Do you have issues with fine motor skills? Can you write? Handle and file paperwork? Type? At home--can you cook? Dress in the same manner as before your PN progressed? Do your own laundry? Drive? Go grocery shopping?

The narrative just needs to make sense, and it suddenly isn't really making sense. There are a few things I can guess at that would make it make sense, but you'll need to fill in the blanks.

Please don't write in caps either here or on your actual paperwork. It makes it hard for the reader.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153468)

I think it might be best to understand your strategy for qualifying for SSDI prior to completing more of this paperwork.

You are all over the place.

Is your claim that your PN is severe enough to qualify for a Listed Impairment?

When you bring up all these issues (with a potential mental or cognitive disability) related to your work, that is a completely different tangent. You were employed at the same job for 25 years. What has changed so that you can longer manage to follow the rules that would ensure your continued employment? Are you receiving treatment for these issues?

(BTW, are you planning to file for retirement and receive a pension?)

What you're describing with regards to your hands doesn't actually seem all that serious. It's annoying, but dropping things won't keep you from working. (I have the same issues, so I can relate.) Do you have issues with fine motor skills? Can you write? Handle and file paperwork? Type? At home--can you cook? Dress in the same manner as before your PN progressed? Do your own laundry? Drive? Go grocery shopping?

The narrative just needs to make sense, and it suddenly isn't really making sense. There are a few things I can guess at that would make it make sense, but you'll need to fill in the blanks.

Please don't write in caps either here or on your actual paperwork. It makes it hard for the reader.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153479)

I have a feeling I understand why your attorney was willing to accept your case now. My guess is s/he is betting you won't be approved at the first stage and that you'll end up before an ALJ and will rack up significant backpay and win at that point.

^^^You really think for those reasons? He told me that they turn down 75% of the people who call. I asked him if he thought I had a strong case. He said, "Yes". I asked, "On what basis?"

^^^"You have an excellent work history. You are over 50. You have excellent medical records with DXs and TXs. You have multiple health isses that are going on."

You need to keep the focus on the PN, and the PN exacerbating your pre-existing mental disabilities.

^^^OK. That is what I told my shrink yesterday. I kept saying something like this, "As you know . . . I was doing OK with divorce. . . was working my way thorgh (no auto spell check?)my 'plan', but the PN . . . it just became so painful and fatiguing that it screwed up all of my coginitive functions." He shook his head in affirmation.

Just so you're aware, SS will usually consider medical records beginning 12 months prior to your Alleged Onset Date (AOD) and for mental health records, they'll look back 24 months prior to your AOD.

^^^ Are you saying that they will not consider medical records over the last 6 months? And/or the last 3 months? And/or the last three days? When I called them last week (via the phone number and ext provided on the Function Report Cover Sheet) I asked, "I have skin biospy results that I just got last week from KU. They prove with scientific data (I am outside the ranges on 2 of the 3 sites tested on me), that I have 'small fiber periperal neuropathy'. She with out hesitation, and with enthusiasm said, 'Yes! Attach and send those. Write your name and case # on them."

^^^Thank you very much for providing the listing below. I will put a few comments amongst them:

BP is also a Listed Impairment.

"12.04 Affective disorders: Characterized by a disturbance of mood, accompanied by a full or partial manic or depressive syndrome. Mood refers to a prolonged emotion that colors the whole psychic life; it generally involves either depression or elation.

^^^YES to all the above.

The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in C are satisfied.

^^^OK. Let's take a look. I just need ONE from group A? Understanding that I still need to look at and satisfy B additionally.

A. Medically documented persistence, either continuous or intermittent, of one of the following:

1. Depressive syndrome characterized by at least four of the following:

a. Anhedonia or pervasive loss of interest in almost all activities; or

^^^YES. Told doc.

b. Appetite disturbance with change in weight; or

^^^YES. Told doc. Wt went from a healthy 165, down to an unhealthy 140. I'm 6 foot tall.

c. Sleep disturbance; or

^^^Yes. Told neurologist. I do not think I talked with my shrink about this.

d. Psychomotor agitation or retardation; or

^^^Yes. Talked with my shrink about this.

e. Decreased energy; or

Yes. Talked with my shrink about this.


f. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness; or

^^^Yes, not sure if we discussed it or not.

g. Difficulty concentrating or thinking; or

^^^Yes, I talked with my shrink about this.

h. Thoughts of suicide; or

^^^Yes. Talked to my shrink about this.

i. Hallucinations, delusions, or paranoid thinking; or

^^^Did not talk to my shrink about this but he probably picked up on some 'delusions' and/or 'paranoid thinking'.

2. Manic syndrome characterized by at least three of the following:

a. Hyperactivity; or

^^^I can't remember if the shrink and I talked about this but I imagine he saw it as we talked with each other. I mentioned, "I took 1 mg of Klonopin an hour ago . . . to slow me down enough to have a decent conversation with you." I am allowed 2mgs of Klonopin a day. That was 1 of my 2 mgs for that day.

b. Pressure of speech; or

^^^I don't know what this means.

c. Flight of ideas; or

^^^We have talked in the past and we talked yesterday about, 'how Klonopin slows down all my racing thoughts . . . and makes me settle down and think about them more sanely . . . but I still need help on learning how to cope with the CHRONIC disease of PN.' He shook his head in the affirmative.

d. Inflated self-esteem; or

^^^Have not discussed. The mountain, cannot see the mountain (IE. I am the 'mountain'). Therefore, he might have noted this unbeknownist to me.

e. Decreased need for sleep; or

^^^The same comments as 'd.'

f. Easy distractibility; or

^^^Yes, I have talked to my shrink several times about this. It is a common symptom of ADD. Yes, I know - the topic at hand is BP . . . but there are some overlaps between the two.

g. Involvement in activities that have a high probability of painful consequences which are not recognized; or

^^^Possibly my not showing/having 'proper respect' to my bosses?

h. Hallucinations, delusions or paranoid thinking; or

^^^Have not discussed. Lets go with the mountain theory again. What is 'paranoid thinking'? Is worrying about running out of money 'paranoid thinking'? I do not have hallucinations. I do not think others are out to 'get me' (except for my X-wife).

3. Bipolar syndrome with a history of episodic periods manifested by the full symptomatic picture of both manic and depressive syndromes (and currently characterized by either or both syndromes);

AND

B. Resulting in at least two of the following:

1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or

2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or

3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or

4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration;

OR

C. Medically documented history of a chronic affective disorder of at least 2 years' duration that has caused more than a minimal limitation of ability to do basic work activities, with symptoms or signs currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial support, and one of the following:

^^^I do not qualify for section C. Thanks again for all your efforts Lit. They are very much appreciated and not done in vain. I may be an $ss at times, but it is NEVER my intent, it is one of my mental illnesses . . . made worse when my feet are being particullary (sp) 'naughty'. END.

1. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration; or

2. A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal adjustment that even a minimal increase in mental demands or change in the environment would be predicted to cause the individual to decompensate; or

3. Current history of 1 or more years' inability to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with an indication of continued need for such an arrangement."

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153525)

Any current medical records will of course be considered. They just don't usually care about records farther back than 1 year for medical and 2 years for mental health.

So, if you attempt to provide the adjudicator with the type of letter I pm'd you, quote from medical documentation as close to your AOD as possible, and not farther back then the 1 year med, and 2 year mental health limits.

I think the attorney feels you will win, but not quickly. If you do, he won't receive a dime. This is just a guess on my part.

I think you can be approved at the first stage by meeting the requirements of 1 or more Listed Impairments, but your application will need to be very focused.

Originally Posted by Jo*mar (Post 1153550)

[We got time to get my report better. I have until 6/13/15 (4pm) to finish it.]

I'm guessing a typo on the date??

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153549)

You just need to make sure it's clear PN is the main issue and that the mental health issues have been exacerbated. Why is this important? Because you were able to work with the mental health issues prior to that.

^^^I guess my 2013 FMLA goes back to far? No. You told me two years. Anyway . . . details so I don't know.

^^^In 2013 I was on FMLA for dx'd PTSD. I was teaching at a new and different school that I had to travel to every other afternoon. School A - my main school. I started every morning there. School B - my 'step-child' school. I taught there every other afternoon. Larger classes. Longer class periods. TOTALLY different support/discipline system/management of children's behavior. A big CHANGE . . . that eventually caused me to decomposs (is that the word I want?!) to the point that I was not functioning safely to be around children. Hence my FMLA that year.

There just needs to be a connection. The mental health just seemed to come out of left field.

^^^See above. A major 'monkey wrench' was thrown into my teaching life and sechdule and I did not handle it well. My partner (the music teacher - music and PE switch classes together), who was only in her second year of teaching was also stressed by the situation . . . However, she is of better mind than me and she was able to perservere and get through it. I fell apart. Too much stress . . . and I tend to fall apart. Too much stress is a common trigger for BP.

And yes, it's not a bad idea to use the Impaired Listing as a template to make sure you cover those issues that apply. Providing a separate letter like the sample I provided is a good idea too.

^^^Yes, Lit. Thank you.

My question for you is, if you only had the PN would you still be unable to work? My guess is yes.

^^^You are correct. Yes, if I only had PN I could not work my old job (or probably any job due to my need to lay on a bed at least twice during an 'easy' 8-5 day).

^^^The way things are now -- during a normal 8am - 5pm, of me just walking around my little apartment doing errands in the apt - I must lay down at least twice a day during that time for PN relief. On visitations with my daughters - on blah, blah day - I see them for an 8 hour day - twice a month. Withhout fail . . . when I get them back to their Mom and get back to my little apartment . . . I collaspe on my bed due to PN. All I have done with them was sit and watch them play at a park and/or board/card games with me and them. I lay on the floor as we play the previously mentioned games.

^^^School B drastically improved their management of children for school year 2014 and 2015.

^^^I learned some good coping skills during my FMLA to deal with school B. I had talk and group therapy 3 times a week during FMLA 2013 - that is where i learned the above mentioned coping skills.

^^^School B morphed into a very 'doable' situation due to the factor I just mentioned above. So, mentally . . . school was not a big problem. It only became a big problem again . . . when the PN symptoms were so uncomfortable that I could not think straight . . . I could not stay caught up at school or home . . . my world was slowly (then quickly) as the syptoms got more intense . . . spiralling downward . . . out of control. Then the mental conditions all kicked in on HIGH GEAR.

^^^Please trust and believe me that I sincerely DID NOT want to go on FMLA this year. I begged the doc to give me SOMETHING med-wise so I could finish this school year. The doc said, "ABSOLUTELY NOT! If you are hitting yourself in the head with a hammer . . . and your head hurts . . . PUT DOWN THE HAMMER!" Those were the doc's exact words. Those words were very hard to hear. I wanted to finish . . . Again, I BEGGED the doc for meds (even opiaoptes (sp)) to finish . . . The doc would not budge and after 45 minutes on the phone with me, the doc finally convinced me of the immediate need for me to use FMLA again . . . much to my saddness and disappointment. But, looking back now, I can see it really was the only sane chose I had. Now, I thank the above mentioned doc for his persistence and care of/for me.


If I'm correct, treat it that seriously. Think of the PN as cake and your impairments as icing.

^^^Please define 'impairments' for me. My apologies.

DO NOT, discuss, "Maybe in a year or two I can at least work half-days" or you will encourage a denial. You're opening the door for doubt and that you might be capable of working. IF you are able to return to work, that'll be great, but neither you nor your doc can predict that.

^^^Excellent points. Thank you. At this point, my returning to work is nothing more than 'wishful' thinking on my part . . .

^^^A disabled friend (sickle cell) has told me, "Look. You need a year to get on a treatment plan that works (if that is possible), then once on that plan . . . you need a year (at least) to let your body REST and HEAL itself (if in fact that is possible)."

The only thing I don't remember seeing you respond to was if your doc had suggested you need a walker or cane. It's a bit inconsistent to claim you're falling and not using a devise to help.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153567)

So the timeline isn't quite so simple. I was thinking you had coped with the mental impairments, the PN became severely disabling and that led to an exacerbation of your mental impairments.

You will need to explain your mental impairments were severe enough where you had to use FMLA, than PN became disabling, and then there was an escalation of your mental impairments.

How to map this out? I'm not really sure within the context of these forms. A letter covering the Listed Impairments and timelines might be appropriate.

The icing was supposed to be your mental impairments.

It sounds like without the PN you could very well have ended not being able to perform that job. (But you might have done better at a job with less social interaction.)

I can do a pretty good job of being able to edit out what shouldn't be there, but it's trickier to know what you should include because I just don't know your history.

Originally Posted by canifindagooddr (Post 1153459)

Lit, when you did your 'delete what is in blue' I really found that most helpful. Anybodys feedback is appreciated. Thank you!

And, yes. I do have a college degree. But if I cannot sit or stand for more than 1.5 hours without needing an hour on my bed to recover and then repeat the whole process again - AND have poor cognition due to the pain - what can of job could I do? Everyday is BAD. :mad:
END OF QUOTE – AND END OF “REMARKS – SECTION D – INFORMATION ABOUT ABILITIES”

Originally Posted by Hopeless (Post 1153655)

Hi D,

I did not mean to sound disrespectful in the least. I agree that from YOUR perspective, there is no job that fits your situation. I was just trying to mention that being educated can be a hurdle. I wasn't voicing a personal view, I was only mentioning something that may be considered by SSDI.

Sorry if it did not come out on paper the way I meant it.

Let's play a game for a minute. Let's pretend YOU work for SSDI and I were to apply for benefits. You don't know me and I tell you that my feet hurt so bad that I can't function for more than a few hours at a time. You can't see my pain nor feel it. How do you know if I am being truthful or not? Before you take this wrong, I DO believe you and your suffering but I am just trying to make a point here. An ALJ can make a decision as to whether they find you credible or not. That is my point. As I have said, you need to paint a picture for them on paper and that is NOT an easy task.

The reason you have to answer so many questions, complete so many forms, have medical documentation, etc. is because anyone can apply for benefits and claim they have pain that prevents them from working. It is SSDI's job to ferret out the truthful deserving applicants from the scammers. You must be found credible by the ALJ if you go before one.

I totally believe your pain and suffering but I am not SSDI. You need to try to see how they will perceive you from the answers you provide on the forms.

I am reading the posts and the responses but Lit Love has it covered and I don't have anything worthwhile to offer at this time.

Please forgive me if I have sounded a bit like the devil's advocate. I found it helpful to try to see things from the SSDI view rather than just my own perspective. It may help you in answering all the questions that you have in front of you.

If Lit Love disagrees, remember, always take her viewpoint. I only guess.

Originally Posted by echoes long ago (Post 1153689)

He has small fiber peripheral neuropathy which has been confirmed by a skin biopsy which is the gold standard test to diagnose small fiber peripheral neuropathy. so that much is set. what cani has to do is explain how the symptoms of his peripheral neuropath prevent him from being able to work. Pain, numbness, weakness, balance difficulties, unsteady gait,heavyness in legs etc prevent him from being able to sit, stand, walk, run, bend, climb, reach, kneel, squat etc for specific periods of time or not at all.
I have peripheral neuropathy also, only large fiber instead of small which also prevent me from doing the above things for more than a very small period of time. It is a very painful condition. I was approved for peripheral neuropathy and asthma after a hearing. The purpose of the hearing turned out to be to set an onset date for my disability, not whether i would be approved.

Originally Posted by canifindagooddr (Post 1153692)

So, in one sense you got approved first try? May I ask what year this happened in? It seems to be harder and harder for one to get the INSURANCE that they paid for when we they get disabled. Thank you for sharing your story. I really appreciate it! :)

NEWS FLASH that we can discuss more on tomorrow - to my shock and dismay my neurologist flat out told me, "It is not a disabling condition. I have hundreds of patients that have PN and they work." GHEZ. :mad: I then asked him, "Then way is the condition in the SSA Blue Book?" "It is in there for people that have it very SEVERELY."

BUT . . . he was very concerned about my mental state. He is going to call my shrink tomorrow. He thinks if I learn how to cope with it better, it won't bother me so much . . . and then I'll get better.

I asked about PT at home . . . 15 minutes house work, then 30 minutes rest. Repeat . . . throughout the day. "You are doing too much."

I told him I am doing very little. Why? The symptoms that are quoted below... So . . . my treatment plan is to do less . . . see a psychologist once a week . . . and probably a med change with my AD. Get off Well-B . . . and get on one of those old AD's that are listed as front line. He was much more concerned about my mental state, then he was my feet. Strange . . . He wrote, "Patient is under tremendous social stress, he has Bipolar disease. Needs to develop better coping skills." He wrote more, but I can't find that other set of paper yet. Visit summary. Thanks again for sharing. :)

Originally Posted by canifindagooddr (Post 1153681)

Would you please edit out my first name in your post below. Thanks.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153567)

So the timeline isn't quite so simple. I was thinking you had coped with the mental impairments, the PN became severely disabling and that led to an exacerbation of your mental impairments.

2007 major life event occurred - it caused me to use the services of a shrink. And since that date, I have been under the care of a shrink. I was doing fine at school. THEN, a major event happened at school. I couldn't cope. I fell apart mentally and had to use 12 weeks of FMLA. I came back to school to finish that year. Had the plan. Was working my way successfully through that -- then this year the PN got worse and worse. . . 'and that led to an exacerbation of my mental impairments' had to use fmla again for 12 weeks - did not return to school and resign my teaching position late in May.


You will need to explain your mental impairments were severe enough where you had to use FMLA, than PN became disabling, and then there was an escalation of your mental impairments.

I'm confused. Mental was fine. Feet got worse. Mental got worse. Feet got worse. Mental got worse. Continue that pattern until I just couldn't take it any more - the biggest problem being the feet. However, the body/mind connection and hence the pattern of a downward spiral mentally and physically until 12 weeks of fmla and no returning to school and resignation of my teaching position. Shrink wrote FMLA note because he was the only doc, at that time, that I had a good relationship with.

How to map this out? I'm not really sure within the context of these forms. A letter covering the Listed Impairments and timelines might be appropriate.

A 2 page letter max as an attachment describing fmla year, then plan year, then finally fmla this year and resignation of my teaching job. I need to write and attach something like that? I can handle that task.

The icing was supposed to be your mental impairments.

So, i was going with PN, and mental was to be the icing BUT since my neuro doc is NOT on board - mental is no longer my icing? Mental now has become my cake? I can see and write that - TRUTHFULLY. Is that the plan? Again, do it with the 2 page letter mentioned above? Again the mind/body connection. Lincoln once said something to the effect of, 'when my feet are hurting me . . . my mind does not work right'. I understand Abe!

It sounds like without the PN you could very well have ended not being able to perform that job.

Yes. That is correct. I get very neuotic towards the end of the year when I have to be in charge of our Field Days. I feel like the whole world is watching me - and that it is too big of a project for me to pull off . . . get helpers . . . . equip, plan stations/events . . . and yes, i was depressed about the divorce . . . missing my girls . . . me living in three different places in a three month period while still trying to teach. Pearl Harbor could have happened in the summer. She chose to do it in the middle of the first quarter of school and the evil way she began the thing...

(But you might have done better at a job with less social interaction.)

YES. Exactly right. So, what do we do with that info?


I can do a pretty good job of being able to edit out what shouldn't be there, but it's trickier to know what you should include because I just don't know your history.

Originally Posted by Hopeless (Post 1153655)

Hi,

I did not mean to sound disrespectful in the least. I agree that from YOUR perspective, there is no job that fits your situation. I was just trying to mention that being educated can be a hurdle. I wasn't voicing a personal view, I was only mentioning something that may be considered by SSDI.

Sorry if it did not come out on paper the way I meant it.


Everything is fine and I am not the least bit offended. Honestly.


Let's play a game for a minute. Let's pretend YOU work for SSDI and I were to apply for benefits. You don't know me and I tell you that my feet hurt so bad that I can't function for more than a few hours at a time. You can't see my pain nor feel it. How do you know if I am being truthful or not?

I have no idea. Talk to creditable witnesses. See what your medical records say. But, ultimately - I have no idea because it cannot objectively be measured.


Before you take this wrong, I DO believe you and your suffering but I am just trying to make a point here. An ALJ can make a decision as to whether they find you credible or not. That is my point. As I have said, you need to paint a picture for them on paper and that is NOT an easy task.

I can write well. And, I agree - credibility is key. Maybe 25 straight years of teaching school with my pension just 6 years away . . .we 'score' me some creditably points. A friend of mine who has been on SSDI for PN for over 20 years now . . . says others writings . . . a few people that know you well describing your life before PN and now with PN can greatly help one win their case.


The reason you have to answer so many questions, complete so many forms, have medical documentation, etc. is because anyone can apply for benefits and claim they have pain that prevents them from working.

Agreed. But my work history and my volumes of medical records give my case credibility. Just SIX more years. I had light at the end of my tunnel! Six more years of teaching . . . then full benefits. BUT . . .PN visited me . . . and it fired up all my long documented mental conditions. The two combined rendered me unable to work.

It is SSDI's job to ferret out the truthful deserving applicants from the scammers. You must be found credible by the ALJ if you go before one.

I totally believe your pain and suffering but I am not SSDI. You need to try to see how they will perceive you from the answers you provide on the forms.

I think the manner above - polished up and with notes from others that are also creditable will help me possibly win my case.

Please forgive me if I have sounded a bit like the devil's advocate. I found it helpful to try to see things from the SSDI view rather than just my own perspective. It may help you in answering all the questions that you have in front of you.

I agree. To not have a 'devil's advocate' is for one to be a fool. And, I try to avoid doing that. So thank you for your assistance and again I have not been offended in the least.

If Lit Love disagrees, remember, always take her viewpoint. I only guess.

Originally Posted by echoes long ago (Post 1153704)

2005 going back to 2003. your neurologist is an idiot...

I'm afraid I'm beginning to believe the same especially when I read all the contradictions in his summaries. The my MD bro picked out even more. I thought he 'understand' - instead, yes - he's acknowledging that I have PN - but then gives me a 'BIG DEAL' kind of thing. . .

there are many many people who are on diability and cant work because of peripheral neuropathy. it is a highly disabling condition for many.

Yes, I know them. I have read about them. But my doc says, "I don't have that kind of NP. He has hundreds of patients that have my kind of NP . .. and they work . . . And yet he tells me to do less and less work around my house. No walks over ten minutes. I'm so frustrated. I thought when I got the skin biopsy back - it was GAME OVER!

when i was approved my emg was showing my PN to be moderate to severe. it is now severe. it progresses slowly for me anyway. i know an emg wont help you since it cant detect small fiber neuropathy. i think you need a new neurologist.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153705)

I thought you said you had limitations for both sitting and standing? Was that something that you came up with on your own and not documented in your medical records?

In one of his summaries he wrote, "Patient had to stop after one hour of driving to get out of his car due to PN pain. He walked a bit and then return. No doc is going to take two hours to see if you can stand for an hour and then if you can sit for an hour. It's about creditably again.


A diagnosis of the one of the Listed Impairments is not enough. You must be able to prove you meet the requirements through medical documentation as well. Anyone that meets those requirements will be severely disabled.
The requirements in the blue book for PN? Can we add my mental limitations with my PN and come up with me winning my case?
You might also be able to "Equal" a Listed Impairment with two or more disabilities.
Confused. I needed to give this stuff a break for now.
You doc's comments will certainly make it more difficult for you to receive an approval.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE (Post 1153981)

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE View Post
I thought you said you had limitations for both sitting and standing? Was that something that you came up with on your own and not documented in your medical records?

In one of his summaries he wrote, "Patient had to stop after one hour of driving to get out of his car due to PN pain. He walked a bit and then return. No doc is going to take two hours to see if you can stand for an hour and then if you can sit for an hour. It's about creditably again.

He's documented your claims about limitations, that is not the same as setting restrictions himself or personally observing your limitations. (A patient with severe PN in their legs might be unable to walk without a cane or walker for example.) You're correct, no doc will take two hours to see if you can stand for an hour and then if you can sit for an hour. BUT, he can refer you for a FCE where someone will do those things and report the results back to him. In my case, I was able to prove my subjective complaints were not exaggerated by undergoing a FCE. A physical therapist was able to use water displacement to measure my swelling for example, which increased my pain, and started a cycle that continued escalating.

A diagnosis of the one of the Listed Impairments is not enough. You must be able to prove you meet the requirements through medical documentation as well. Anyone that meets those requirements will be severely disabled.

The requirements in the blue book for PN? Can we add my mental limitations with my PN and come up with me winning my case?

Not in my opinion considering your current medical documentation. You can ask your attorney this question--will your PN and mental impairments equal a Listed Impairment? If not, can you add any medical documentation during the next 1 month to be approved?

You might also be able to "Equal" a Listed Impairment with two or more disabilities.
Confused. I needed to give this stuff a break for now.
You doc's comments will certainly make it more difficult for you to receive an approval.
He has written comments that will help. Then he has written comments that will not. And he writes comments that contradict . . .i'll post some of his comments later. thank you for all your help.

SS will not give you the benefit of the doubt. You need an overwhelming amount of evidence to prove you qualify with or equal to a Listed Impairment. This would be difficult to do so soon after your AOD even without contradictions.

Originally Posted by canifindagooddr (Post 1153989)

More later but for now . . . what is an 'AOD'? Oh yeah, probably alleged onset date? Is taking this 'crash-course' really gonna help me any? Instead of filling out the Function Report and getting it in the mail, I'm spending hours and hours reading about it . . . rather than doing it. I could see doing all the studying about it if I would have known six months ago I was going to be in this process . . . .It seems late too much to learn . . . to late in the game. This is why I hired an attorney. What ONE or TWO key things can you tell me about MY filling out my Function Report in a way that might improve my chances of getting approved first round? Thanks!