Disabled? 'YES' but what for?
 

I was found disabled by the SSA on Feb. 28, 2015. They paid two months of back-pay and have been depositing money into my account once a month.

I have the impression that I am suppose to know exactly what the condition was that disabled me. I was denied at first. I had my shrink and my GP send in a letter. Both were about the physical nature of the chronic condition of small fiber neuropathy (which was proven via a skin biopsy). Both letters mentioned my limitations due to SFN and the side effects of the meds used to treat it (mental fog). A month letter I was approved at the most least likely stage to get approved - the reconsideration stage.

At first we threw everything at them. Bi-polar and SFN. Again, I was under the impression that their award letter would clearly state what my disabling condition is -- but the letter does not.

I'll be 52 years old this May. From my benefits letter: "Doctors and other trained staff decided that you are disabled under our rules. But, this decision must be reviewed at least once every three years. We will send you a letter before we start the review."

Shouldn't I know what condition they considered to be disabling? I feel like I am missing an important piece of the puzzle.

Finally, on the benefits letter - under my 'Claim Number' -- which is my SS # . .. at the end of my SS# they have the letters 'HA'. Pretend my last four numbers are shown here: XXX-XX-6719HA

Does anyone know what the HA means?

Here I just got it -- and I am already 'worrying' about my 'upcoming' review.

Thanks in advance.

The last one or two letters or letters and numbers after the SSN represent how the person getting benefits is related to the person who owns the SSN. No big deal.

The TSR's at the 800 number can give you a generalized definition of the primary and secondary diagnosis. The codes are on the computer record. They cannot give you specific details about how or what was the deciding factor.

If you wanted a detailed explanation of all the evidence and rationale, you would have had to be denied at the reconsideration level and waited a year to get an ALJ decision. Lower level awards or denials do not require the same legal analysis as the higher level awards or denials.

[QUOTE=Janke;1189166]The last one or two letters or letters and numbers after the SSN represent how the person getting benefits is related to the person who owns the SSN. No big deal.

**I'm still confused. 'HA' neither my first name or my last name starts or ends with either at 'H' or an 'A'.

The TSR's at the 800 number can give you a generalized definition of the primary and secondary diagnosis. The codes are on the computer record. They cannot give you specific details about how or what was the deciding factor.

**What is a 'TSR'? Do you have their 800 number handy? Maybe it would be a bad idea to call them. They might flag me. :eek:


**Thanks Janke for the time and info!

[QUOTE=canifindagooddr;1189169]1-800-772-1213. Teleservice Representatives.
Flag you as what? A person who asks questions? People that ask too many questions get their benefits reduced or stopped? No, doesn't happen.

BIC - Beneficiary Identification Code

A whole series of letters and numbers. A, B, C, D, E, M, T, W. Some with numbers following. Some without. Your age 62 female spouse would be a BIC B. A widow is a D. Youngest child is C1, next is C2, 10th is C with a letter (can't remember). If there is a H in front, it means a disability claim, not a retirement or survivor claim. BIC HA is a disabled person getting disability benefits on their own Social Security earnings record. I can go on and on about BIC's. Very boring. Totally inconsequential to you

Hi - I found your post b/c I was wondering the very same thing. My approval letter also did not state exactly what condition they approved me for - the primary condition I applied for, or does the approval encompass all the contributing and subsequent conditions?
Do they only approve on basis of the primary condition, or take into account all medical issues?
I didn't think it mattered until I read somewhere that the responses on your CDR form should be short, to the point, and only apply to the condition they deemed to be disabling.
But how do you do that correctly if you don't know if they only want to hear about the one, or all of them?
And I had to laugh in sympathy when you said you were already worried about the review even though you were just approved, and were worried you'd be flagged if you called the customer service line - I am a big time major worrier also, and always feel that I'm going to do the wrong thing with disastrous results, lol.
Sorry I couldn't be helpful with a knowledgeable reply, just wanted you to know I have the same questions and fears (even if they aren't warranted).

what meds are you taking ? And ask your dr what is your diagnosis is. very simple

when you get short form questionairre or the long form review, there are a few lines of codes one or more of which are the illness or condition that you were approved for.

No, there are no flags for excessive questions; no flags for crying; no flags for being obnoxious; no flags for unreasonable requests or even demands. There are flags for being disruptive and threatening. And the federal police will knock on your door if you are threatening.

I am not sure, but if I were a DDS analyst, I would pick the easiest and most obvious diagnosis if it is sufficient for an approval. And it often means that the schizophrenic was not approved for his/her bad back. Even if that is what they applied for.

I knew of a case where the applicant refused to be paid because the ALJ awarded her case on her mental problems and not on her alleged physical problems.

Basically, you are being given disability for what you stated, your "limitations" and that is what is focused on. They look at what you can and cannot do.
They don't put a label on your illness. I would suggest, unless there is some pressing need to know what your exact disability is based on, let sleeping dogs lie and be glad you got disability. I am not being disrespectful or taking your query lightly. I understand what you are saying. I have never heard of someone being told the reason they have been awarded disability benefits...they applied, told the govt what their health issues were and were or were not given benefits.

Please don't worry about reviews. I was awarded disability benefits 20 yrs ago, was also told I would be reviewed every few yrs and have only been reviewed once. It was simply a letter they asked me and my docs to fill out.

take care, D.

Thank you for your posts. I too was wondering the same thing. I have multiple severe medical issues, but also some psych issues. I can let it go though. I was really worried about the review process, even though I don't have one for another year. It's reassuring to hear that you've only had one in that length of time.

actually they do put a label on your illness. there are codes on the review forms you fill out that specify what you are approved for. Also if you go for a hearing the alj is very specific about what you are approved for and the reasoning behind it.

Apparently things have changed.
20+ yrs ago when I got disability, my lawyer made the point that it was not an illness that was defined,it was the ability or inability to to perform tasks. The reason I remember so clearly is because I did have a hearing and the atty reminded me of that fact before we went into the hearing.

Perhaps there are codes that were used by the system to identify a specific disease or illness but it never showed up on any of my paperwork.

D.

its not the illness thats decides whether you are approved for SSDI or SSI, its how the symptoms, and/or treatment for that illness affect your ability to work. It may also not be just one illness or condition it can be the sum total of all that leads to being approved. I dont know if they listed conditions on the cdr's 20 years ago but they do now, in code form of course.