Hi Can i find a good dr,

OK, this is a first for me, attempting to put a link in a post.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/rfc...statement.html

Not sure if it will work or not or if permitted but this link talks about getting your physician to complete a form regarding your abilities.

This form is usually submitted with an appeal but I think it may help if submitted with your initial application. Better let Lit Love comment on this. I am guessing (as usual) but I think most initial applicants do not submit this because the applicant is unaware of it until they are denied upon initial application. I do not know if you are even allowed to submit this at the initial application level.

All that being said, it might be worthwhile at least looking at the form so you can see what information will be needed down the road if not approved at stage 1 of the process. It might help you with completing the form you are currently working on for submission.

The more information you have about the process and what needs to be provided, the better off you will be in your quest for benefits.

Prior to the ALJ hearing stage, most approvals are from applicants that meet a Listed Impairment or qualify via the Grid Rules.

Those that have to undergo the ordeal that is the 5 Step Sequential Process, the 3rd and final way to be approved for SSI/SSDI, have to prove they are no longer capable of former work (step 4) or any work (step 5). An ALJ uses an applicant's medical documents, their application and testimony, and 3rd party function reports to determine their functional limitations. At the hearing, the ALJ will pose questions to the Vocational Expert (VE)about a hypothetical worker and various limitations and the VE will determine if that hypothetical worker is capable of various jobs. After the hearing the ALJ sets the applicants RFC rating and uses the VE's testimony to determine if they are capable of any work.

The idea with supplying your own RFC forms, is to prove you have certain functional limitations, which will then erode the jobs listed by the VE. (I always advise applicants to undergo a Functional Capacity Evaluation or FCE, which then allows their doctor to use the testing results from the FCE to fill out RFC forms.) And there are 2 versions of RFC forms--one that covers physical disabilities and the other mental disabilities.

There are times when I've advised applicants for a variety of reasons to consider having a FCE done very early on, as well as having the accompanying RFC/s filled out. In this case, I'd advise against it at least until the OP deals with the issues of his doc being not supportive of his claim, he should not ask him to fill out any additional paperwork.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/rfc...statement.html

"RFC forms completed by your treating doctor can be extremely helpful to you at the time of your hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ)."

Since he has conditions that might allow him to be approved with a Listed Impairment, it makes the most sense IMO, that he focus his energy on providing the medical documentation required to meet or "equal" a listing.

IMO, it appears the biggest issue the OP is facing is that his PN doc is not supportive of his disability claim. I'm actually really confused by this. Earlier in one of these threads, the OP stated it was his doc that insisted he stop working or he'd cause permanent damage. Was that the same doc or a different doc?

Should he consider finding a new doc like Echoes suggested? A new doc likely won't have much effect for several months. If the current doc will never be supportive, than the OP will have to accept the delay and move on.

Is the OP seeing a psychiatrist? What is his or her opinion about your mental health claim?

Lit wrote:

IMO, it appears the biggest issue the OP

^^^Does OP mean the 'other person'?

is facing is that his PN doc is not supportive of his disability claim.

^^^Yes. I found that shocking especially with my clinical history, my current trend of getting worse and the SOLID science of the skin biopsy.

I'm actually really confused by this. Earlier in one of these threads, the OP stated it was his doc that insisted he stop working or he'd cause permanent damage. Was that the same doc or a different doc?

^^^The other doc is a relative. Out of love for me and from his expertise as a doctor of 30 years - this OTHER doc said, "Stop working NOW." I did not want to stop but it was obviously the right thing to do for reasons I have already stated numerous times on this forum.

Should he consider finding a new doc like Echoes suggested? A new doc likely won't have much effect for several months. If the current doc will never be supportive, than the OP will have to accept the delay and move on.

^^^I dread seeing another doc about PN. Why? I have seen many and most have no idea what they are looking at/for. Just ask about any PN patient will tell ya that they had to go through at least 30 docs to find one that could help them. A general neuro is of no help. They only deal with the 'biggies' - ALS, MS, etc. The subspecialty of skeletal-muscular is generally needed to get a proper DX for PN.

^^^This current neuro doc, who has the subspecialty mentioned above, seems in the ball-park at least. At least he is calling a 'spade and spade'. Hearing, "You have small fiber PN is much more comforting than hearing - 'I do not know what is wrong with you. There is nothing I can do to help you." Or, even worse - a subtle or not so subtle . . . .'there is NOTHING wrong with you. You must be crazy..." And my bro said, "OK. So what? Crazy people get PN also . . . If you don't know what it is . . . .send me to somebody that might..." So, I got sent out . . . and they did not know what it was . . . and the cycle continued . . .

^^^I just don't get it . . . yesterday was my third time seeing him since 4/29/15 . . . and each appointment I have been worse off then the previous one. HE is the one that tells me to do LESS physical work (ie. a ten minute bike ride or a ten minute walk) . . . HE is the one that increased my GabaP from 900mgs per day (3 - 300's per day) to the now current dose of 2,400 mgs per day (600 mg 4 times a day). And he increased to the higher dose about six weeks ago. I am getting WORSE, not better . . . in spite of the care I am receiving. YET, he thinks it is mostly in my head . . .If my head get better, my ability to deal with my PN gets better. Yes. I agree. No doubt about that. BUT . . . it doesn't magically make me fall back into the correct ranges on any additional skin biopsies . . . I don't think the best talk therapy in the world is going to magically make my symptoms lessen or disappear . . .

Is the OP seeing a psychiatrist? What is his or her opinion about your mental health claim?[/QUOTE]

***My shrink is quiet. He hasn't given me a straight 'Yeah' or 'Nah'. He did take the two page form from my law firm without question. He scanned over it and told me he would fill it out and get it back to them. He does agree with my neuro that I have been under a tremendous amount of pressure over the last 10 months with only more still to come in the future . . . Although PN was the major reason I took FMLA this school year . . . my shrink is the one that gave me the doctor's note. I did not ask my neuro at the time, because I did not know him at that time. My shrink does agree that I did talk therapy and that it will help me deal better with my PN.

Finally, neuro is only 38 years old. My shrink is about 55 years old. Nothing against young folks . . . but generally speaking - wisdom is something reserved for the more mature in age.

Thanks for reading and sharing and helping. All are appreciated.

OP=Original Poster

You need to be prepared that this might be a very long process. You might need to consider moving in with family if you don't have another source of income.

No, it does not appear your PN will qualify you with a Listed Impairment at this time. Becoming a klutz does not rise to the level of severity needed. The same thing with having body twitches a few times a day.

Your current Neuro is increasing your meds to hopefully reduce your symptoms and give you the highest degree of function possible, that's not necessarily inconsistent with him thinking you may be capable of working.
The skin biopsy proves you have PN, not what your functional limitations are. This might be a good time to request a referral for a Functional Capacity Evaluation. It will help provide your Neuro with objective test results regarding your abilities and limitations, as well as providing SS with the same. --And he is right, if he just guesses what he believes are your functional abilities, SS may or may not give it any weight. (Those forms your attorney asked your docs to fill out, and that were maybe even customized specifically for you, were probably a version of an RFC form.)

Did you give the Neuro a copy of the form that you had already filled in? If so, that was not a good idea IMO.

BTW, it is possible SS will determine you are no longer capable of teaching PE due to your PN, and perhaps not teach any subject due to your BP disorder, but they might claim you are capable of a less stressful desk job.

In all my lengthy postings to you, the one thing I've forgotten to say is that qualifying for SSI/SSDI is a complex medical/legal evaluation.

One last thing, your brother can write a letter on your behalf, but unless he's a treating source, it will be the same as a letter from any other family member. His medical opinions might be 100% accurate, but they won't help you prove your SSDI claim, which needs medical documentation.

You need to be prepared that this might be a very long process. You might need to consider moving in with family if you don't have another source of income.

^^^OK. Thank you for the tip. I cannot image how hard that would be on my girls AND me. My family is 2 to 3 hours away. But, I understand your point.

No, it does not appear your PN will qualify you with a Listed Impairment at this time. Becoming a klutz does not rise to the level of severity needed. The same thing with having body twitches a few times a day.

^^^Understood. But, the pain and weakness of my calves . . . hard to be nice and sweet and productive when one feels that their pain level is in a 6-8 range.

^^^I read an article from the NIH about small fiber neuropathy and the number one word is the article was PAIN. And I finally saw in print, what I have been dealing with for over two years now. "COLD PAIN".

Your current Neuro is increasing your meds to hopefully reduce your symptoms and give you the highest degree of function possible,

^^^My bro said the way he increased my GabaP was not correct. That it should have been gradually bumped up. Not a starting dose of 900mgs total for the day to 2,400 total for the day just six weeks later with no gradual build up. AND, this was with me calling in almost two months early than he had originally had me scheduled to come in. After the first visit, it was the 'see ya in three months' deal. After 3 weeks, the Gaba honeymoon was over and I was in to see him in six weeks rather than the 12 weeks that he had me down for.

^^^At the conclusion of yesterday's meeting, he had it in my charts to see him in SIX MONTHS! It is a two hour drive from my small town to see my shrink and my neuro. So, I try to 'double dip'. Stay the night with a friend. See one doc one day and see the other doc the other day. So, instead of six months like he put down on my chart - his nurse told the scheduler to put me down for a two month follow-up so we could do the double dip thing.

^^^Even my meeting yesterday - no change at all in meds. He tried to call my shrink while I was there with him. He could not speak with my shrink today. He said he would consult with my shrink and THEN they would change my meds. At least the AD I take. Makes since. But, all that really happened yesterday with the neuro was, "You got to have some talk therapy. We will try to help you find one in your area. AND, you STILL need to do LESS. Work for 15 minutes - rest for 30 minutes. Continue that pattern until bed-time.

^^^So, at this time - nothing in my meds have been changed.

that's not necessarily inconsistent with him thinking you may be capable of working.

^^^Understood. But there is that subjective area of PAIN. How is that handled?

The skin biopsy proves you have PN, not what your functional limitations are.

^^^Understood.

This might be a good time to request a referral for a Functional Capacity Evaluation. It will help provide your Neuro with objective test results regarding your abilities and limitations, as well as providing SS with the same.

^^^One has to walk at least a day in the shoes of the other to get an idea what the other's day is like. Is the above going to do that?

--And he is right, if he just guesses what he believes are your functional abilities, SS may or may not give it any weight. (Those forms your attorney asked your docs to fill out, and that were maybe even customized specifically for you, were probably a version of an RFC form.)

^^^Understood.

Did you give the Neuro a copy of the form that you had already filled in? If so, that was not a good idea IMO.

^^^I gave it to him as my brother suggested and I also told him he was free to throw it in the toss can if he so desired. I stated the reasons I gave them to him. Why do you think my bro's plan was a 'not a good idea'.

BTW, it is possible SS will determine you are no longer capable of teaching PE due to your PN, and perhaps not teach any subject due to your BP disorder, but they might claim you are capable of a less stressful desk job.

^^^Which cannot be found . . . and if I sit for longer than an hour - my feet get naughty (painful). Remember neuro doc said MORE rest. That I do TOO MUCH. I said, 'all I do is pittle around my apt doing housework, paying bills, etc...

In all my lengthy postings to you, the one thing I've forgotten to say is that qualifying for SSI/SSDI is a complex medical/legal evaluation.

^^^I understand.

One last thing, your brother can write a letter on your behalf, but unless he's a treating source, it will be the same as a letter from any other family member. His medical opinions might be 100% accurate, but they won't help you prove your SSDI claim, which needs medical documentation.[/QUOTE]

^^^Since I had him listed as a contact person, unbeknownst to me - they sent him a function report that is identical to mine . . .for him to fill out on me. He was not a 'happy camper' but he understands the importance of his filling it out in a timely manner and getting it back to SSA.

Did you read the link regarding PAIN that I listed for you? It goes into a lot of detail about how to deal with the subjectivity of pain.

Hopeless

Not yet. Thank you for providing it. I have it noted in my notebook to read it.

Yes, I did. It was quite encouraging. I printed off several articles from that site. They teach these complicated topics in a style that works well with my mind. Thanks again!

^^^Since I had him listed as a contact person, unbeknownst to me - they sent him a function report that is identical to mine . . .for him to fill out on me. He was not a 'happy camper' but he understands the importance of his filling it out in a timely manner and getting it back to SSA.[/QUOTE]

Those are 3rd party function reports typically sent to close family and/or friends. You need to keep in mind his opinion as a doc will not be of any help unless he's a treating source.

OH my . . . back to the find a 'good neurologist' game . . . I hope instead, over time, he changes his mind. I know, the chance of that are about as likely as me beating Michael Jordan in a game of one on one basketball. Like echo and I have pointed out -- work 15 minutes, rest 30 until bed . . . .his treatment plan . . . how can I hold down a job with a treatment plan such as his current one? My thoughts are . . . he gets me good enough to work full time . . . maybe that takes a whole year . . . then I get another year to do PT and what not to make sure everything is really ready to get back into the 'system'. I know . . . dreamer boy . . . I don't see shrinks for the fun of it.


Those are 3rd party function reports typically sent to close family and/or friends. You need to keep in mind his opinion as a doc will not be of any help unless he's a treating source.
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