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.

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.

Why Why Why...