Hello my name is Sherri. I went to my doc yesterday to have a form filled out for disability (a waiver of payment for insurance form). I have been on SSDB for 14 years. Only to be told by my doc he could not fill it out as he is NOT CERTIFIED. I explained he had done them for past years. To say the least I was dumbfounded. He had been seeing me since 1994. Another doc in the practice did the Bi-lateral DeQuervains releases in 1993and then I was put under his care as he was the upper extremities expert. I also had Right-hand CTS releases in 1994 by a Neurosurgeon, had nerve blocks for RSD by a Pain Mgmt. Specialist and came out with partial paralysis of the right side. I never went back to him. and later told I had pinched ulnar nerves, too. He has told me over the years he would not operate on them as it would exascerbate the RSD/CRPS, then told me to keep seeing my chiropractor every 8 weeks to manage many other symptoms. Can someone advise why he said he is not certified. He's been my treating orthopaedic for years. Also, can someone advise of an RSD specialist in Central NJ. I don't know what to do if I need surgery because he is the one I would have wanted to do it.

Certified for what exactly?

Certified to fill out the form stating I am permanently disabled. He has signed it in the past and said he can't now.

Just out of curosity did you ask him why? Any dr. should be able to fill out the form.

I've had doctors who are "specialists" who say they will not write out work restrictions, as that is something my primary care doctor should do...but I always assumed it was just their policy. I guess I did have one who would not fill out the form my employer provided, stating that he was not qualified to perform a functional capacity exam. Maybe that's what he's talking about? Weird though if he has done it in the past...

Thank you for your input. It is not restrictions. It isn't for work either. I've been on SSDB for 14 years. Just an insurance form to waive my payments. Has something happen in the RSD world impacting doctors that you may know of? It is weird, but I will need a treating physician none the less. I am still trying to navigate through this group forgive me.

yes he said he is not certified to say I am disabled and cannot work now after 14 years.

SSDB? I'm familiar with SSI and SSDI...

I just want to clarify before commenting further.

I believe it's like SSDI whereby I worked and paid SS taxes long enough to apply. I believe they refer to it as I had enough credits of working years to apply. It's not SSI.

What your describing is SSDI.

SS will send out CDRs, but yearly would be very surprising. The short form asks if you've discussed certain things with your doc, but does not require a signature from your doc.

Social Security does not require special certification from doctors, all that is required is q valid medical license. Your doc's opinion, both upon initial application and during a Continuing Disability Review, is only one factor in regards to your receiving benefits. Even if you're sent to a "Social Security" doc, they can only give their opinion of the severity of your disability, they don't have the power to grant or deny your SSDI benefits.

Your doc may no longer be comfortable supporting your disability claim. Or he might just be misunderstanding what's required of him. Please verify his signature is even required. If you can post the SS form number if you have more questions, that would help.