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....

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

I was approved for SSDI this last august, and just last month finally got the backpay. I won for RSD. I applied April 3, 2003, and the judge set the onset date to july 2001. The actual month and year I couldnt work any longer.

It took 5 years and 2 hearings to win though. My background was kinda similar to yours. I was the marketing director at a casino with a 2 year degree, and alot of training in network administration. At the last hearing they found through my medical records that there was not anything I could do, even part time. So I won on that account. They will be very thorough with your education and work history, but it can be done.

Just dont give up!