Social Security IME question?
 

I applied for SSDI on 1/23/09. I did all the required paperwork in person at the SSDI office. Shortly, I rec. in the mail the 2 sets of forms that SSDI needed me to complete.

2 weeks later, I rec. an appt. for a mental exam in May '09. I have not rec. an appt. for the medical issues, CRPS I, and other health issues. I have documented medical records for the past 2 yrs. on the RSD from WC, and 5 yrs. of doc. for my other medical issues.

Will I rec. an IME appt. for the RSD and my other medical issues? I find it strange that both appts. were not set at the same time.

Your feedback is appreciated.:hug:

Dew

Hi Dew,

You may not have an IME for the pain issues. They never ordered one for me.

I wasn't asked to do a psych one either, but I did have my own psych eval and one through WC. Let's be honest.....some docs document our pain seemingly out of proportion to the original injury and imply it's "all in your head" or attribute it to being a hypochondriac, malingerer ,or depression causng the pain instead of being a result of the pain. SS could be trying to clear up something like that.

Did you receive your SSDI on the 1st try? I have seen a psychologist for 1 yr., due to the CRPS I. He diagnosed me :
Major Depressive Disorder,Anxiety & Panic Disorder, due to a medical condition.

I see him every 2 weeks to help me keep Life in perspective. He has been very helpful.

I guess I was wondering why no physical exam, because maybe... SSDI has already made up their mind on the submitted paperwork from 14 different doctors & health care providers, that I have seen in the last 2 yrs for the CRPS I.
Thanks for your feedback:)

Dew

Mental exam
 

They might be thinking that the mental exam will qualify you without a need for the medical exam. I was approved based on psychological issues when in reality, my problems are from a brain injury. The SSDI psychologist expert claimed that I did not have a brain injury. But, he did say I qualified based on his psychological criteria. They went with the strongest evidence.

If the mental exam shows you to be disabled per SSDI criteria, then there is no need for the medical exam. An approval is all you want.

You do not need it to be inclusive of your other symptoms too.