Its not easy for most to get SSDI. I live in a state that is so far behind when i called to see where i was in the process they told me it could take anywhere from 26 to 38 months for a hearing. I live in Alaska. i have been denied once. I am in the hearing stage now waiting for a date its been 15 months since i have applyed again. A total of 4 years plus now that i have been trying to get help and have just been through hell. The system is so backloged.
Hope whatever state your in its much faster and i wish you the best.

Thanks. If I don't get it first time, it won't be because I didn't prepare well.

I have been having problems with my hands and feet the last few months. Trying to get that figured out. After going to Clev. Clinic last week, and a neurologist this week, I have peripheral neuropathy and according to the neuro, central pain syndrome. Geesh, when will this end?

I'd like one of the SS people to live in my pain for just one day, and see how well they function.

for peripheral neuropathy you have to state how it affects your gait and station for your feet/legs and how it affects your motor skills and dexterity for hand/arms.

Thanks - am trying to do that now as I finish up the symptom report. For instance I can barely write a few sentences by hand, and typing is nearly impossible. I bought dictation software, but can't wear the headset, had to get a microphone to use. I use a service dog and now I have to keep transferring her from my left to right side, because my hands go so numb I can't keep hold of the handle on her harness. I'm dropping things all the time now. Yesterday, I went to put the flour container back in the cupboard and dropped it. What a heck of a mess that was. Yesterday when I went to the doctor's office, I must have dropped my keys half a dozen times, and a pen twice. My dog picks them up for me. I can't open things like bottles of water. It is not as bad in my feet, but I wear toe to knee plastic hard braces. I have tingling, and burning, and have tripped up a few more times, but other than that, I have not had as much trouble with my feet. My hands are so stiff and painful sometimes I cannot come close to making a slight fist. I put my hands into microwave heat pack, warm them, then have to start working the stiffness out. Still, my hands are much weaker than they were 6 months ago before this happened.

Are these the kinds of statements that I need to make?

yes, but dont downplay your feet/legs. dont neglect to write that you have to wear braces and that you lose your balance even with them on, that the braces themselves limit your mobility, if they do, that wearing the braces makes your legs feel heavy and that you tire easily, if they do, that you have to take naps during the day. that you can only walk so far, that you can only stand so long, sit so long etc. that you cant climb, squat, kneel, reach, bend without losing balance, for your hands that you cant carry objects over a certain weight such as 10 lbs., that you drop things constantly and cant carry anything for any period of time. that holding things and typing etc cause pain, that you are unable to do things that require fine motor skills in your hands such as sewing, writing, picking small objects up and dont forget to mention how any medication that you take makes you feel or causes side effects, memory loss, concentration difficulties, too much sleep. or too little sleep. nausea, whatever it may be.

Hi daylilfan, if you don't mind can I ask some question? Nothing to personal I promise, just would like to know if you worked in the past? The thing that matters if you can do Substantial Gainful Activity. You said you can't lift more than eight pounds but can you sit and answer a telephone? Do you have MRIs? Can you prove that you can't walk, sit, bend, kneel, stay focused , for a substantial period of time, can you do anything at your old job or what you learned at your old job?

Hi DL,

That recent progress note from your doc helps your 'case' but wouldn't really be sufficient by itself.....detail, detail, detail

The notes by the doc who is treating your asthma are woefully insufficient alone....there are plenty of jobs that smeone who can't lift 8 pounds repeatedly could still do. That doesn't mean those notes hurt your case, just that they will in no way 'make' your case.

On the application when you are writing about your sx's, definitely include info like.....
"I can barely write a few sentences by hand, and typing is nearly impossible. I bought dictation software, but can't wear the headset, had to get a microphone to use. I use a service dog and now I have to keep transferring her from my left to right side, because my hands go so numb I can't keep hold of the handle on her harness. I'm dropping things all the time now. Yesterday, I went to put the flour container back in the cupboard and dropped it. What a heck of a mess that was. Yesterday when I went to the doctor's office, I must have dropped my keys half a dozen times, and a pen twice. My dog picks them up for me. I can't open things like bottles of water. It is not as bad in my feet, but I wear toe to knee plastic hard braces. I have tingling, and burning, and have tripped up a few more times, but other than that, I have not had as much trouble with my feet. My hands are so stiff and painful sometimes I cannot come close to making a slight fist. I put my hands into microwave heat pack, warm them, then have to start working the stiffness out. Still, my hands are much weaker than they were 6 months ago before this happened."

Try to get the docs to be as specific and inclusive as possible.

Doctor notes should tell the whole story. For instance, if the medical records say "Can't stand or walk for more than 5 minutes at a time" that helps, but implies you might be able to sit for 8 hours straight, so you could do some form of deskwork. Documentation that proves your disablity might say something like "Can't stand or walk for more than 5 minutes at a time. May be able to sit reclined in a chair with legs elevated for several hours at a time some days, but usually has to lie down in a bed after sitting up for just a short time."