I had a auto accident 8/8/08 and suffered a shearing traumatic brain injury. Had double vision for a year that the drs. said would clear up but it didn't. had eye surgery 3/10 that solved the problem.
I applied for SSDI 8/09. To make a long story short, Social Security sent me to there Dr, a internal medicine dr 8/10. In the mean time I went to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with Post Traumatic Concussion Syndrome. Now Social Secuirty is sending me to their "shrink".
Does anyone think I will win this or should I hire Binder and Binder if I have to appeal?

It would be wise to contact a legal firm to help.

-Vic

It depends, really, on your confidence in your ability to accurately portray how much this affects your day to day life.

I filed 3 months ago.. and did it on my own (well, my mom helped me fill out the initial stuff about doctor's visits, but she just typed what I told her--I did the function report and everything else on my own) and was accepted yesterday, 3 months to the day.

I must have been able to convince them that because I am bedridden and in so much pain, that I am unable to hold down any kind of a job.

How confident are you that you can do the same? If you think you can, I'd try it on your own first--it will save you a LOT of money.

If you don't think you can do it, then save yourself the time and trouble and hire someone.

I was totally prepared for a denial and had a lawyer set up for the appeal process, but they called me yesterday and told me that I had been approved.

I've also heard (but can't confirm as I did not use a lawyer) that it is better to go with a local lawyer rather than a big company like Binder and Binder. I have just heard that, but it may not be accurate--I'm not positive.

Good luck--I hope that you can get it, if you truly need it. Take care.

Do some research on your chances of winning. See what doctors think of your chances. Also make sure you are prepared financially. It can take years to win. I won but it took me 3 1/2 years. Now you can win right away but that doesn't happen very often.

Before hiring an attorney, has s/s referred you to a neurologist for MRI of brain? A 'shrink' is not a bad thing. It is my belief that the 'shrink' may help you..(not that I like s/s..I'm on worker's comp, no better..) However, having said that, I was diagnosed many years back w/ PTSD. (post traumatic stress syndrome and thru therapy and meds has helped a great deal) In addition,
just last Jan. 2010 suffered a concussion at work place. I would hope the 'shrink' would request a referal for a MRI of brain to rule out additional trauma. Just guessing, my feeling is you have two issues going on.

As a side bar, within post concussion forum, some people, which I used, (now
cannot remember name) recommended a site,..I think something like 'tbl law'..
pls search..they were great! (They did some research and found a wonderful local attorney for me..they are very, very specialized in concussions and post concussion syndrome..you might want to contact them.

Hope this helps..

innocent1

From innocent1 again. Yes, go to web search and type in tbilaw. They are the attorneys who specialize in traumatic brain injury. They are the ones who searched and referred me to a local attorney who specializes in these issues.
Just send tbilaw an email or call them. They will definately help you out.

I apologize..as you can see, am still suffeing from processing issues.
I didn't process the s/s referal to their 'shrink' on your posting. Just scroll down to 2nd post of mine regarding tbilaw.

I just saw a documentary on this. This can be very serious, one boy actually died and another became paralyzed. So you need to be careful. Social Security's shrink is going to play down your injuries, so you have to be on your toes. I have helped people get benefits in the past and read some of these psychiatrist reports, one psychiatrist went on and on how one of my clients didn't wear make-up. She was denied so I did a reconsideration and made it a point to explain that my client didn't have the energy to put on make-up and suffered from bi-polar and make-up was the last thing on her mind. I still get mad when I write about it. Anyway she won on the reconsideration. They watch everything you do from the way you walk to how you remember. Good luck whatever you decide to do. Here is some information on it, I would see what symptoms you suffer from and mention them to the psychiatrist.

http://www.adhd.com.au/Post_concussion_Syndrome.htm

Dear Legalmania..Thank you for referring that website to all of us! As mentioned previously in forum, suffered a concussion, neck strain, cervical strain January 21, 2010, at my high school where I work. (Unfortunately, tho
not the target, I was hit in the forehead by a large ice ball on school property)..w/c issue. To be succinct, I returned to school August 30, 2010. On August 31,I was pulled in by the principal of the school to his office. His immediate words to me, "We have had 3 reports of you having alcohol on your breath..breathe into my face." I complied, I had nothing to hide and don't drink alcohol.He still had a question mark. He brought in the in-school cop. He went into hard cop mode.."why are you slurring your words, why are you walking unstablely, why are you using the table to get up" and had me do a "breathalizer". I blew zero's. Then in-school cop felt his machine was not working properly and called in a local town cop. I had to do another breathalizer. Again, blew zero's. After, principal asked me what I wanted to do next. I replied, go home. Not only did I feel falsely accused, humiliated and afraid of the rumor mill, I was also SCARED. Called my primary, she immediately referred me to a neurologist. Diagnosis: post concussion syndrome, cervical strain and cerviogenic headache. Am awaiting results from 2 MRI's, one for brain, one for c-spine.

Just to let ALL KNOW, hang in there..if memory issues, email yourself important things, (doc appts, any info re: your case to remember)..easier to retrieve than in 'word' or 'documents'.

..Total Support, I understand.