I was surprised that I was accepted after the first denial, but my LTD company hired a firm to advocate for SSD for me. It doesn't hurt to let your physicians know that you are applying, so they can be ready to advocate if necessary.

That said, I think my doctor listing my prognosis as "poor" went a long way in my fairly quick acceptance. I have to admit, seeing "prognosis: poor" in my medical records shook me up a bit. I guess with all the body parts I have had removed, and all the interactions, side-effects and restrictions I have on my diet, my prognosis for improving is, in fact, rather poor! If you will never improve, medically, make sure your doctor documents that clearly in your records.

BTW, I was accepted for Crohn's, complicated by having had my entire colon removed, and a less than good result with my j-pouch (recurring complications.) I didn't even have to list my growing neurological complaints, which at the time were diagnosed as just peripheral neuropathy.