Hi lawtcrav,

You might get more responses if you start your own thread in the main section below.

If your concern is how to explain to SSA that at times you are able to be more active despite the pain, I would focus on the fact the you pay the price with increased pain afterwards, that your manic periods are unpredictable so you cannot schedule work when they occur, and the aspects of bipolar that contribute to and complicate your disability, like the poor impulse control, poor judgement, tendency to spend money that you can't afford, and inability to concentrate.

Increased physical activity during periods of mania is a symptom of that disorder, not a sign that your physical limitations aren't valid.

Glad I read this post. I was going to the SS office this morning with exactly the way you mention not to. Well now i will take my time and get all the medical info of my medical conditions from my doctor. I also suffer from diabetes as well as having MG. The one main concern I do have is that I do work P/T which my doctor's recommend me doing as long as i don't put myself in stressful situations that may cause severe fatigue. So I wonder if this will be an issue with the SSI claim? I guess I will find out. Thanks for the heads up.

It is also important to analyze and document your functional limitations.

Personally, I have a tendancy to not clue my docs in about all the ways I've adapted to daily life and put a smile on when in public and hide away when I'm at my worst. For those that you see infrequently, and only for shorts periods of time, the hundreds of adaptions you might have to make in order to cope with your disability, might not be readily apparent. So, first, you must be brutally honest with yourself. Keeping a journal will likely help. Then ask your doc for some extra time to discuss your limitations with you in preparation for your SSD application. (Relating the realities of your life isn't tantamount to whining.) Even if your doc is supportive of your application, and believes your disability is severe, he might not have an understanding of your daily functional limitations. And honestly, for the "suck it up and bear it" patients, you might be surprised how much of your life has changed...

This link explaining Residual Function Capacity is a must read IMHO:

http://disabilityblogger.blogspot.co...-residual.html

If you have legal representation ask them if they have their own Residual Functional Capacity forms, or if they use a different way to document your functional limitations.

If your filing without representation these forms might work for you. You doc might charge you a fee for his extra time since this is a special request.:

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/rfcdownloadhome.html

The earlier in the process that you supply this type of indepth look at your disability, the better. But, if you're going to have an ALJ hearing, this info is extremely important so that the Voc Counselor and the ALJ can accurately determine if you might be able to perform "other work."

Regarding medications, document the effects and side effects. It's great for you that a med might reduce your pain, but if it causes you to sleep 12 hours a night and nap for another couple, that will effect your ability to work, and don't assume that this is just common sense. If more break through meds are required from activity, which again starts the cycle of additional drowsiness, this is important to address. It is also a good thing to supply a brief explanation of your meds. For example, if you take MSIR--write out Morphine Sulphate Instant Release. Or with a designer drug, such as Avinza or Kadian, include "Time Release Morphine."

I used to have a dog that looked just like yours.
Name? Age?

http://social-security.lawyers.com/s...isability.html

"Disability is determined using a five-step sequential evaluation process conducted by the SSA. If, at any point, an applicant is found not to be disabled, the evaluation process terminates and the claim for disability insurance benefits is denied. Following are the five requirments in determining disability:

•Substantial gainful activity. If the applicant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity, there is no disability, regardless of medical condition, age, or work experience.
•Severe impairment. If the applicant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the SSA determines whether the applicant has a severe impairment. An impairment is considered "severe" if it significantly limits a person's physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. If there is a finding of severity, the evaluation proceeds to the third step.
•Listing of impairments. If the applicant's condition meets the requirements, or is the equivalent of a disability on the SSA's Listing of Impairments, then the applicant is ruled disabled. If the applicant does not meet the requirements, the sequential evaluation process continues to the fourth step.
•Past relevant work. A medical assessment is performed to determine whether the impairment prevents the applicant from performing his past relevant work. If the applicant is found to be able to perform past relevant work, the claim will be denied. If not, the evaluation process continues to the final step.
•Other work. The SSA evaluates whether the applicant can perform other available work existing in significant numbers in the national economy. The evaluation considers the applicant's residual functional capacity (what the applicant is able to do in a work setting despite the impairment), age, education, and past work experience. If an applicant cannot perform other work, they will be found disabled."

Attorney Jonathan Ginsberg's link:
http://www.ssdanswers.com/three-winn...ability-cases/

Statistics are based upon his experience.

1. 15% Qualify by meeting an IMPAIRMENT LISTING. Even if you do not believe you have a Listed Impairment, you should read through all of them, including the Mental Disorders since parts of the descriptions may be applicable to your disability.http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...ltListings.htm

2. 70% Qualify by proving that their Residual Functional Capacity is less than sedentary. Please refer to my post #43 in this thread regarding RFCs.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Hom...4/404-1545.htm

3. 15% Qualify by meeting a GRID RULE (applicable to those aged 50+): http://http://www.gridrules.net/index.html

hey, I have a motor neuron disease and I also have a tremor, I have had these things since 2002. I kept working until 6 weeks ago, the whole time going from one specialist to another. It finally was time for me to quit my job and file for disability. I was scared, I have a family who counts on my income, but the way it is set up I had no choice but to quit, and pray that I would get approved quickly. Because it was very important to me, I first got all my records from the past 9 years and went to Fed-ex Kinko's and put all the medical records in a binder, with cover sheets between doctors with a picture of the doctor and all contact information on it. I did the whole application process on line, and my wife dropped off the binder the next day at the social security office. A week later I recieved a packet in the mail with a bunch of questions about my condition and how I spend my day. I then waited, and 29 days after my filing, I got a phone call from our local Social Security office that I was approved. I dont know why I was approved so fast, all I know is what I did. So if I had any advice it would be to work as long as you are able, if it looks like you are running in right after a diagnosis, you may be denied. Get someone to help filling out all the forms, and take breaks, they are long and fustrating, if you skimp at all you might be denied. And lastly, make it as easy as possible for them, do everything you can and more, the file will most likely be denied for any errors or half completed paperwork. Hopefully this helps someone, waiting is a scary time for sure and the less you have to wait the better.

flat broke .went to social services to get help to see doctors for my condition
sent me to ssi office filed claim denied. there was another program that soc serv signed me up for. disability determination services. have two appointments 14th and 18th this month to see two different doctors one is a phd? and the other I don't know what they do... a group of some sort. just received a personal function report that asks a lot of weird questions... sorry really foggy this morning... has any one delt with this and know what is expected from them and where I go now what I should do
Still dont have a diagnosis as to my condition but am convinced that this TBI is a perfect match?

Why was your SSI claim denied?

Wish I would of thought of the binder idea..that is great. Maybe put a sticky note on the SSDI forum I did provide good addresses, names, telephone numbers for all husbands doctors on the adult disability report. We shall see.