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.

Well, if no one has any insight, I guess I should just take my own advice and call SSA with my questions, lol.

I would give them all your doctor's notes from the last three visits and any documentation on surgeries.
I'm like you-are they really concerned with a PCP,when it's the specialists that know if you are able too work.
If you have a new condition-I don't know if you want to rock the boat or not but since you have many impairments,it shouldn't be a problem.
What if you had an MRI from a few yrs ago stating that a condition has worsen-should that be given to SSA but it only says doctor visits plus surgeries?
It would be a good idea and call them and ask them what impairments have you disabled. My approval letter stated my impairments plus mentioned something else that wasn't disabling but might be down the road.
I thought only 5-7 yr reviews got the short form?

But they don't ask for documentation and med. notes. Just dates and reason for visits/surgeries. I'm afraid that if I'd send in a bunch more stuff than they ask for, I'd be looking defensive or suspicious and could create a red flag where one didn't exist. I dunno -- maybe I'm over-analyzing, lol.

My hands are crippled up so I will need help writing. It's a scan sheet so you have to stay in the boxes and on the lines.

[QUOTE=Teatime;853413]But they don't ask for documentation and med. notes. Just dates and reason for visits/surgeries. I'm afraid that if I'd send in a bunch more stuff than they ask for, I'd be looking defensive or suspicious and could create a red flag where one didn't exist. I dunno -- maybe I'm over-analyzing, lol.

My hands are crippled up so I will need help writing. It's a scan sheet so you have to stay in the boxes and on the lines.[/QUOTE

Call and ask if too much information isn't needed.

on these short forms do not put any more information than is asked for. do not write in the comments section. do not attach anything. donot send in anything extra. any of the above will result in it having to be looked over by a person and could result in the long form being sent out. a full review. i have some links you could look at. ill look for them.

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.

Hi Gilbert,
The form I got doesn't ask for all sorts of info on doc visits and medications. It just wants the three most recent medical contacts and the reason for them plus the three most recent surgeries or hospitalizations and the reason for those, too. That's it, besides asking whether I've worked or gone for any additional training and some basic questions.

It says if they have any questions about my responses, they'll call me.

Hi Teatime, I wondered if you minded my asking you how your review went? I am concerned because my disability causes me not to think as clearly at times. I should have researced the internet before filling out the short form SSA-455-OCR-SM. Anyway, I read on another advocasy site that if you don't list your qulifying disability illness in at least one of the three "boxed" areas where it asks for your last three reasons for medical treatment/visits, that the computer will kick it back and you will automatically be tagged for a long form review. My last 3 medical appts/treatments have been for a new condition. I did however, handwrite; in the section where you can add additional information, that I still suffered from original disability as well as new illnesses which enhance my disability. I really don't want to have to go through a full medical review again. It is so stressful. Oh, did they ever call you with any questions. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

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?