I'm on ssdi now and have been since late 1980's not counting 4 years and 8 months of doing a Trial Work Period which ended in 2009.

I was originally diagnosed with Gilles Tourette Syndrome, Depression and Anxiety issues.

I usually have a CDR every 7 or 8 years. The last time I had one was 2009 after coming off a Trial Work Period and it was not very pleasent at all. I think the CDR's and how the do them are getting harder and harder for what ever reason.

That leads me to my most important question (out of many that I have but I will keep it to one in this thread):

About a year after my last CDR I fell and broke my back at S1/L5. Had surgery. They put rods, screws and a fushion (spelling) in my back.

Due to the surgery not only not helping me but making me worse I now see a pain management doctor that prescribes 90 10mg oxycodones for pain (1 three times a day), 60 10mg flexerials for spasms (1 twice a day).

Now along with the Prozac 30mg a day (depression), clonapepam 4mg a day (anxiety) and ambien 10mg at bedtime (sleep)...........I now have all the pain meds to take.

I am in a lot more pain since surgery. My tics from Tourette kill my back at the surgery site no to mention pain going down my leg.

Anywasy........my question:


Should I have the back issue and the fact that I see a pain management doc and take pain meds for chronic pain added to my disability file?

The only reason I am asking this is because I have heard of people losing the benefits and I know for a fact I would starve without mine.

Would adding the back issues make my ssdi more secure or would it even matter.

I know that adding it will not change my income but if it some how helped secure my ssdi I would have one less thing to worry about.

I tried to keep my post on track and straight to the point but I'm not the best writer in the world and I tend to ramble so forgive me it you have to read it more than once to understand my jargen.

Thanks to any and ALL that give their opinion whether it is based on experience or just in theory.

BTW, I go by Rake.

Nice to meety you guys/gals.

Please read the info here: http://nymakesworkpay.org/docs/Guide_CDR.pdf

If you receive a short form CDR, you want to be very careful filling it out and do not want to add a new diagnosis.

Thanks for the link.

I read all of it. From what I got out of the read is if a person gets the short form don't add any other illnesses to it simply to keep it from being put in a humans hands and then have room for error. After all, if a person gets ssdi their amount/benefits are the same whether they get it for depression and anxiety..........or derpression, anxiety and ocd. I can understand that now.

BUT

Correct me if I am wrong:

If a person gets the long form they should add any illnesses that the ssa does not already know about.

For example (my case):

I am on ssdi for affective disorders. But my chronic pain from my back issues are not in my ssa file because they happened after I originally became disabled.

So, in the case of a long form I should add the additional info?


Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I know most may know the answer but I am just wanting to make sure I'm on the same page with ya.

Again, thanks!

Rake