Originally Posted by Teatime

Hey all!
In the mail today, I received a disability report I have to fill out for Social Security. It's the little 2-page version. I'm on a 3-5 year review schedule and it's been 6 years since I was approved for disability so it's actually overdue.

I didn't think it was a big deal until I started reading a few of the threads here -- now I'm nervous! I didn't fill out my SSD application because I have problems with cognition and physical difficulties that make writing and sitting difficult. So a rep. at SSA wrote up my application for me. I just answered questions, took in all of my meds, and some of my med. records. My application was approved.

I have 12 diagnoses and more since then! I don't know if i was approved on one, a few, or all of them! So how do I fill out the review report? My most recent doctor visits, tests, and hospitalizations have been in the past month. I was just released from Baylor Heart Hospital a couple of weeks ago after having a major procedure. And I had a gastro-enterology appointment Thursday and med. changes for Crohn's Disease. These are new issues, though.

I have to see a lot of doctors and take a lot of meds. I have no shortage of medical documentation. But from reading the info here, I guess they are only interested in the medical problems related to the disabling conditions? I've had so much wrong, I don't know which ones they want documented!

The form asks for the last three medical visits and surgeries and says I should respond to the questions based on changes since Feb. 2010. I don't know why that year is signifcant but I figure SSA looks over our Medicare records from time to time to see how things are going and if we're receiving treatment.

Anyhoo, should I provide the latest visits and surgeries chronologically or should I emphasize the orthopedic surgeries I've had related to my connective tissue problems, instead? The heart problems might be related to the autoimmune stuff, though.

Originally Posted by gilbert

hi teatime,just make sure you provide all of your doctors visits and any medications you are takeing.with your current health issues your ssdi benefits will most likely continue after the review provided your not working.iv'e been collecting ssdi benefits for the better part of 16 years now and have had 3 reviews during that time.the one factor that social security looks at when reviewing a disibility case is if your working or not.

Originally Posted by untilthebell

I thought the main and final decison on a CDR ( review) is your current doctors opinions on ones condition to be considered still disabled or not? And When SSA sends you to their docs, dont they have a say if we keep or lose our SSDI?

Why would they offer the ticket to work program if one will lose benefits?

Originally Posted by untilthebell

I thought the main and final decison on a CDR ( review) is your current doctors opinions on ones condition to be considered still disabled or not? And When SSA sends you to their docs, dont they have a say if we keep or lose our SSDI?

Why would they offer the ticket to work program if one will lose benefits?

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

SSDI eligibility is a medical/legal definition that involves a complex set of rules and evaluations. Doctors opinions are just one step in the process. With the short form, if your condition hasn't changed, you're continuing to receive some medical attention, you're not working or going to school or receiving work training, then there is no reason to go through the (potentially) lengthy and complicated process of reevaluation.

Ticket To Work encourages those that can work to attempt it and provides some protections. Not everyone that chooses to work PT uses the TTW program (I don't believe Gilbert did.) Using the TWP doesn't make a person permanently immune to the review process either. This is a matter to discuss in a different thread, at a different time, though.

Originally Posted by echoes long ago

no but it is not something you would want to put on a short form to muddy the waters in anyway.

you are better off if you dont check that you have talked to your doctor about returning to work if you havent. first of all its the truth and second of all if the subject hasnt been raised by you or the doctor then obviously both of you believe that you are not ready to return to work at the present time. sources i have read have indicated to check the have not discussed box if this applies to you and not to worry about that choice.