SSD review, short version
 

Hey all!
In the mail today, I received a disability report I have to fill out for Social Security. It's the little 2-page version. I'm on a 3-5 year review schedule and it's been 6 years since I was approved for disability so it's actually overdue.

I didn't think it was a big deal until I started reading a few of the threads here -- now I'm nervous! I didn't fill out my SSD application because I have problems with cognition and physical difficulties that make writing and sitting difficult. So a rep. at SSA wrote up my application for me. I just answered questions, took in all of my meds, and some of my med. records. My application was approved.

I have 12 diagnoses and more since then! I don't know if i was approved on one, a few, or all of them! So how do I fill out the review report? My most recent doctor visits, tests, and hospitalizations have been in the past month. I was just released from Baylor Heart Hospital a couple of weeks ago after having a major procedure. And I had a gastro-enterology appointment Thursday and med. changes for Crohn's Disease. These are new issues, though.

I have to see a lot of doctors and take a lot of meds. I have no shortage of medical documentation. But from reading the info here, I guess they are only interested in the medical problems related to the disabling conditions? I've had so much wrong, I don't know which ones they want documented!

The form asks for the last three medical visits and surgeries and says I should respond to the questions based on changes since Feb. 2010. I don't know why that year is signifcant but I figure SSA looks over our Medicare records from time to time to see how things are going and if we're receiving treatment.

Anyhoo, should I provide the latest visits and surgeries chronologically or should I emphasize the orthopedic surgeries I've had related to my connective tissue problems, instead? The heart problems might be related to the autoimmune stuff, though.

Well, if no one has any insight, I guess I should just take my own advice and call SSA with my questions, lol.

I would give them all your doctor's notes from the last three visits and any documentation on surgeries.
I'm like you-are they really concerned with a PCP,when it's the specialists that know if you are able too work.
If you have a new condition-I don't know if you want to rock the boat or not but since you have many impairments,it shouldn't be a problem.
What if you had an MRI from a few yrs ago stating that a condition has worsen-should that be given to SSA but it only says doctor visits plus surgeries?
It would be a good idea and call them and ask them what impairments have you disabled. My approval letter stated my impairments plus mentioned something else that wasn't disabling but might be down the road.
I thought only 5-7 yr reviews got the short form?

But they don't ask for documentation and med. notes. Just dates and reason for visits/surgeries. I'm afraid that if I'd send in a bunch more stuff than they ask for, I'd be looking defensive or suspicious and could create a red flag where one didn't exist. I dunno -- maybe I'm over-analyzing, lol.

My hands are crippled up so I will need help writing. It's a scan sheet so you have to stay in the boxes and on the lines.

[QUOTE=Teatime;853413]But they don't ask for documentation and med. notes. Just dates and reason for visits/surgeries. I'm afraid that if I'd send in a bunch more stuff than they ask for, I'd be looking defensive or suspicious and could create a red flag where one didn't exist. I dunno -- maybe I'm over-analyzing, lol.

My hands are crippled up so I will need help writing. It's a scan sheet so you have to stay in the boxes and on the lines.[/QUOTE

Call and ask if too much information isn't needed.

on these short forms do not put any more information than is asked for. do not write in the comments section. do not attach anything. donot send in anything extra. any of the above will result in it having to be looked over by a person and could result in the long form being sent out. a full review. i have some links you could look at. ill look for them.

if you look at number 8 in this link you will see that scanline 1 field 5 contains the medical diagnosis or diagnosises that they have listed for the reason you were approved.

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms....1!opendocument

these are the diagnosis codes

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0426510015

and this is something from nystate about the cdr. it applies to anyone doing a cdr.

http://nymakesworkpay.org/docs/Guide_CDR.pdf

WOW, mega-informative, thanks! According to these codes, I'm a low priority and they approved me for inflammatory arthritis. I'm still going to report my recent heart problems but I'll also be sure to report my orthopedic surgeries. I've had three in the past 2 years.

The other question that threw me is the one about whether your doctor says you can work. We've never talked about it because there's no way I could with all of my health problems. She referred me for home health so it's obvious that she doesn't think I can work.

So do I talk to her about it so i can check the box indicating she says I can't work or do I just check off that we haven't discussed it? From those SSA form links, it doesn't look like there's any penalty if you're a Low priority case and you indicate you haven't discussed it.

dont worry about it just put it hasnt been discussed.