[fire]

I applied about 4 months ago i did it with know attorney. The last time i talked to SSD they said they did recevied the medical from Pain Dr. and Nerologist and family DR. My pain dr wrote patient is 100% disable and he just went on what he visable sees swelling, color changing in skin, tremors in right upper extremities. He states patient was in better condition before tos surgery and he says im socked in patients condition. I advised her yo apply for ssd has soon has possible. So i just wondering what other prove do they need.

[Iffynah]

I was wondering the same thing for RSD ppl. But when I went to the website to apply for SSI it said they dont give it to ppl with chronic pain. I think that is BS since we do have real pain and it does interfer with everyday life.

[Kwaker]

I have RSD (since '93) and do get ssi (too few work credits for ssd, as they only go 5 years back for work experience/credits).

I had a workmans comp case that took 4 years before that, so had thermography info, bone density tests, nerologists exams and documentation and a slew of other medical info.
They (S.S) also sent me to be evaluated by one of their doctors. They also reexamine you every three years or so to see if you're still disabled.


I was denied the first time, and got it the second round. I've heard a rule of thumb for SSI o SSD is usually the third times the charm.

Google International Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Foundation
and skim toward the middle of the page for "Social security Ruling". It's a pdf file, but it has a lot of information in it.


If ya have any more questions or I can help at all, let me know.

[fire]

RSD is listed for disability the problem is you made get denied the first time then go and do a appeall, i heard different storys some got first try with out attorney some took 2 and 3 times. But they all got it they just like to make your life a living hell just like comp if rsd doesnt do me in comp and ssd will. Keep trying thats what i heard. Im still waiting to hear.

[Debby]

I get SSDI but it took over 6 months to get it. Some it has taken longer.

Debby

[Lisa I]

Originally Posted by fire

I applied about 4 months ago i did it with know attorney. The last time i talked to SSD they said they did recevied the medical from Pain Dr. and Nerologist and family DR. My pain dr wrote patient is 100% disable and he just went on what he visable sees swelling, color changing in skin, tremors in right upper extremities. He states patient was in better condition before tos surgery and he says im socked in patients condition. I advised her yo apply for ssd has soon has possible. So i just wondering what other prove do they need.

My husband was approved for SSD on the intial claim, they based it completely off his medical records. They never even sent him to a SS Doctor. We were shocked to say the least. The best thing is to make sure you clearly documented all your difficulties and make sure that medical records are there to back it up. My husband had had a total left hip replacement (age 47) so that was in there and it was documented that he had a foot drop and was treated with pain blocks at a Pain Clinic. My brother has several serious medical conditions and he's been dealing with SSD for 7 years now without success. The key is consistent medical treatment, good medical records, and documentation of the pain meds you take, depression that results, sleep disorders, etc. Do not leave anything out. I believe it also depends on your age. The closer you are to 50 the easier it is because they say you have a less ability to adjust to other form of work (like sedentary work). Google Social Security Disability Secrets. This is an execellent website and explains the process and how they make determinations. Good luck! We never knew people could be approved on the initial claim but it is possible. Hopefully your medical records clearly indicate RSD, Complex Regional Pain or causalgia.

[jewells]

This is a great link www.disabilitysecrets.com for anyone who is going for SSD or SSI...lots of great information on it. The best is the Residual functional Capacity form that social security doesn't want anyone to know about. I suggest get your hands on one and have your Doctor fill it out!!! I was denied the first time but when I had that form filled out...without an attorney I won my case hands down. No one can argue your disability when that form is filled out by your Doctor and social security vocational rehab's can not find you a job based on that form if filled out to your disability. This site will give you the info needed to get the form. Good luck. Jewells

[screwballpookie]

I tried 3 times and still have had no luck at getting ssd. They say that I can get a part time job even though my lifting restrictions are no more than 2-3 pounds. I just got another doc report report from the last visit and he states in a round about way that I have gotten worse that my stim isn't working as well as it did from the start. I don't know if that will help my case or not. I did call a disability attorney today and will have a phone conference with him on July 30. I did call my attorney today for 2 reasons: 1. For my new psychiatrist I have to show more proof that they are going to get paid or I can't go to them. I have already been without one for a little over 2 months and feel like I am going crazy. and I also asked the paralegal if me trying to get disability is going to mess with my open for review case on work comp. She told me that I can't get both. I told her that I am not getting paid from work comp that they agreed to an open file and they are not abiding by it even though it has been by the state commissioner. That is why we have to refile. So with all that I don't think that trying to get ssd should affect my case with work comp since I won't be getting any money from them, just payments on everything that pertains to my rsd. I won't see any of that money just the docs and pharmacists will see the money if we can ever get them to pay up. Is my thinking wrong? Please any info would help. Before I forget I want to thank everyone on this subject and for the websites becuz I have been trying and have gotten no where. I am 35 years old and maybe that is why they are denying me. I don't know. Again thanks!

Sincerely,
Screwballpookie

[sherimac]

The thing to know about SSD is it is all about how you function, not diagnosis. I was on SSD for 7 years before I chose to go off and go back to work. It took me 3 years and a hearing before an administrative law judge to get approved, but it was mainly because of my age I was 33 at the time. To get SSD unless you meet the listing book it is next to impossible if you are under 55 years old. They go back 15 years for work history not five. Also if you work a sedentary job, you can forget getting it, it is almost impossible to get rated less than sedentary. Most people receive light ratings. It also depends on what type of work you did before, the heavier the work the easier it is to get approved. It also depends on what part of the country you live in. Nationally about 33% are approved the first time around and about 2/3 are approved if you get before a judge.
I have RSD and it was in remission, it's back and last summer I didn't want to go back on SSD like my doctor suggested because I had applied for a job at SSA and decided if I got the job I wouldn't go back on SSD. Well I got the job and let me tell you it is a tough, stressful job and I wish I had gone back on disability. It's all I can do to make it to work each day and I have no life after work. I come home and go to bed, but I have screwed myself, because my job is now rated as sedentary and getting rated as less than sedentary won't happen, and I'm not in a wheelchair, so I'm stuck trying to work, we'll see how it goes....

[screwballpookie]

Hi again,
Ever since I lost my job from an injury on the job I have not been able to get a job and that was back in 2003. I did try to get a job for a year and a half, but no one would hire me. I had a lawsuit against work comp and won. I got what I wanted an open file plus a couple other things, but no income. I have to open to review on work comp again because they are not paying for anything they agreed to in the settlement. I am still paying for my meds out of pocket and the docs are all on hold for payment. My meds cost me around $500 or a little more each month and we are only living on my husbands income so if that don't give you a whomp over the head. Yes I have vocational rehabilatation behind me and i did go back to school for 3 years and graduated, but am struggling to find a job in my field with just a AA degree. My rsd is getting worse. I have so much pain but learn to deal with it. My left foot on up to my calf of my leg is now very swollen and discolored. My rsd started in my left hand/wrist and progressed up my arm and went into my right hand and arm. Now I am afraid that might be what is going on with my foot, but i haven't gone to the doc yet. I have a bunch of sores from my nerves getting riled up and broke out in hives and now those hives broke open and are very nasty sores. I don't want the doc to see all that cuz he tells me that I can't get stressed like that I am not doing myself any good and to stop getting so stressed. I tell him it is hard because of the family life and all the changes. I am so scared that it is rsd in my left foot and calf. i am afraid that eventually it will keep me from walking with that side. What do I do? So with me not even working and haven't since 2003 I can't believe that I can't qualify for ssd. It is not fair.

Sincerely,
Screwballpookie