[TBIHubby]

Hi All,

My husband has TBI/PCS and has applied for SSD; I am looking for experiences for those of you who also have Brain Injuries/Post Concussive Syndrome and have applied for Social Security Disability. What has your process been like? How long has it been etc?

My husband was in a car accident June 2007; I applied for SSD about a year later for him when it was obvious he was not going to return to his previous abilities. His Drs waited a year to say he was fully disabled, they said that was a normal timeframe for TBI; he has been to Rehab and neurophysch testing, on many many many meds; the DDS workers finally received all of his paperwork from his Drs this month after repeatedly asking for them since Nov '08, his file is being reviewed by internal Drs and we were told we should have an answer in 30-60 days - the waiting is is scary!

We are in Virginia....

How does your experiance go?
thanks!

[shezbut]

It was very confusing for me! Social Security did spend an unusual amount of time reviewing my case, due to extensive history. I got a call in the end from the liason working on my case. She told me that my case was approved & I was able to ask her questions. I asked what the factors were. In my case - permanent significant impact in my brain.

Finding out Social Security reasoning was such a relief to me. I was SO worried about losing it after approval! SSDI wasn't a possibility for me, as I didn't have the necessary work credit. I get SSI. It isn't much, but it does open doors to other avenues of necessary help. Disabled communities, medical assistance, low-income energy assistance, creditors also have programs to accept lower payments, etc.

Best wishes to your husband
Shez

[embracegrace]

I'm bumping this one up because I'd really like to hear from other people with TBIs.

I sustained my first TBI in January 2004. I rehabbed for 8 months and was on/off work for 18 months. (I had a fabulous employer who paid my full salary despite my not working full time for that whole period). In May of 2006, I sustained a second TBI and that was the end of my working.

I was proud type A personality so it took a long time to apply for disability in November 2007. (I went through my savings and retirement, and then lost my house through foreclosure). My hearing was set for April 26, but my lawyer called today to say it was being pushed back to August.

The most frustrating thing about this process for me is brain injuries are invisible. I look fine, and nothing shows up in MRIs or CTs. But, I have executive function deficits--memory, multi tasking, mental fatigue, etc. that make it impossible for me to work. I may appear "normal" and function "well" for a short period of time, but then I am wiped the next day. I also have horrible headaches a couple times a month that last anywhere from a day or two to weeks at a time. (I always have a headache, but these are the ones that knock me out of commission).

I have six years of medical records, including a letter from my rehab doctor who says I can't work.

I'd love to hear stories from brain-injured people who have been awarded SSD!

Originally Posted by TBIHubby

Hi All,

My husband has TBI/PCS and has applied for SSD; I am looking for experiences for those of you who also have Brain Injuries/Post Concussive Syndrome and have applied for Social Security Disability. What has your process been like? How long has it been etc?

My husband was in a car accident June 2007; I applied for SSD about a year later for him when it was obvious he was not going to return to his previous abilities. His Drs waited a year to say he was fully disabled, they said that was a normal timeframe for TBI; he has been to Rehab and neurophysch testing, on many many many meds; the DDS workers finally received all of his paperwork from his Drs this month after repeatedly asking for them since Nov '08, his file is being reviewed by internal Drs and we were told we should have an answer in 30-60 days - the waiting is is scary!

We are in Virginia....

How does your experiance go?
thanks!