[canifindagooddr]

Just wrote my title to get your attention. Grin.

However, my last neurologist told me that he has 'hundreds of patients that have SFN, and they all work." This was said in the context of me asking and handing him a few papers to fill out for my SSDI.

I have talked to others who know about SFN, and they have said the above statement by my FORMER doctor is without merit. Unfounded. Silly. Illogical.

Do any of you, personally know of somebody who is receiving SSDI that has SFN? And, to provide a few more details - it started in both of their feet, and has progressed up to their knees? Thanks.

[Jomar]

Relating to SSDI, I think it is not the diagnosis itself, but how severely it affects a person in daily activities. Some have more pain and limitations than others.

Sometimes it is a matter of where you live , if there is or is not jobs that will fit any limitations that may be necessary for that person to work.

[canifindagooddr]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

Relating to SSDI, I think it is not the diagnosis itself, but how severely it affects a person in daily activities. Some have more pain and limitations than others.

^^^^Excellent points. Thanks. And like most things, I imagine the sooner they get the correct DX, the better the probable outcome. It took them about 2.5 years to get my proper DX (via skin bio).

^^^^My goal yesterday was to have a 15 min walk. Now this was not a 'power walk'. I know those things are now out of my league. At the six minute mark I started to head back to my apartment. PAIN. Total walk time - 8 minutes. I'd liked to try some Wii tennis today, last time I did that . . . was only for about 12 minutes. Wow . . . Stayed up most that night in pain.


Sometimes it is a matter of where you live , if there is or is not jobs that will fit any limitations that may be necessary for that person to work.

^^^^^It seems like I read somewhere that the SSA could care less if there are any jobs in one's area, for one's limitations. If you can work part-time doing non-demanding work . . . then FIND IT. I had the impression they could care less what is available in your area. "You can always move." Your thoughts? Thanks.

[echoes long ago]

the standard is jobs in the national economy that the person can perform, not on the local level.

[Jomar]

I got interrupted here and wasn't able to finish my posting ...
I meant in general ,for the person, not anything relating to SSDI or how they make a decision.


I am curious if they would really expect someone to move? and how far?
Usually funds are low already and medical care is set so that is a interesting consideration..
Most cannot afford to up and move.. plus leave family behind? and the emotional support of friends ..

[LIT LOVE]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

I got interrupted here and wasn't able to finish my posting ...
I meant in general ,for the person, not anything relating to SSDI or how they make a decision.


I am curious if they would really expect someone to move? and how far?
Usually funds are low already and medical care is set so that is a interesting consideration..
Most cannot afford to up and move.. plus leave family behind? and the emotional support of friends ..

It's more a legal exercise than the expectation that if SS claims a person is capable of working as a Chicken Sex Checker (sigh, yes, a "job" VE's apparently use) that this would be the only job a person could find. The DOT was last updated in the early 90's, so the jobs as written often no longer exist, but there are new jobs not listed in the DOT that do now exist. Realistically, it would be more common for denied applicants to find work where their employer allows for accommodations for their disability--utilizing the help of Voc Rehab Services, for example.

At my ALJ hearing the VE claimed there were maybe 50 Surveillance System Monitor jobs in CA that I could perform. That was total jobs, not openings, across the entire state. (After further testimony the ALJ decided I couldn't perform even those 50 jobs and I received a bench decision. The numbers were low enough that had I been denied, I would have a good argument for appeal.)

[canifindagooddr]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

I got interrupted here and wasn't able to finish my posting ...
I meant in general ,for the person, not anything relating to SSDI or how they make a decision.


I am curious if they would really expect someone to move? and how far?
Usually funds are low already and medical care is set so that is a interesting consideration..
Most cannot afford to up and move.. plus leave family behind? and the emotional support of friends ..

Good point. They can't see the trees for the forest. A person would just get sicker and sicker cut off from their support system . . . Heartless b*stards...

[Hopeless]

Originally Posted by [COLOR="Blue"

Jo*mar;1167067]Relating to SSDI, I think it is not the diagnosis itself, but how severely it affects a person in daily activities. Some have more pain and limitations than others.[/COLOR]

To: Cantfindagooddoctor

Read this post that Jo*mar wrote. Read it again and again and again.

A diagnosis is NOT an automatic approval. Lit Love has spelled out the rules used by SSDI. (In great detail and on numerous occasions.)

Just because you have an article that indicates SFN can be debilitating will not persuade SSDI to approve your claim. Read the above again. It is NOT the dx, it is how an illness affects you and your abilities to perform work.

You gave an example of this yourself when you mentioned a blind singer that is capable of earning above the amount specified by SSDI.

You stated in your paperwork submitted to SSDI, how your life is affected by your medical conditions but this is only from YOU. SSDI needs medical documentation that supports your statements AND that your treating physician attests to the reasonableness for someone to experience those limitations with your conditions.

[canifindagooddr]

I can't recall saying my DX alone should win me my claim. I don't think I ever said such a thing. If I did, I was not in my 'right mind.' I understand it is how the DX affects your everyday life and one's ability to work. I don't think I got to 5th base by being an idiot. All though at times, I am sure I am probably the biggest one in the room. Grin.

Originally Posted by Hopeless

To: Cantfindagooddoctor

Read this post that Jo*mar wrote. Read it again and again and again.

A diagnosis is NOT an automatic approval. Lit Love has spelled out the rules used by SSDI. (In great detail and on numerous occasions.)

Just because you have an article that indicates SFN can be debilitating will not persuade SSDI to approve your claim. Read the above again. It is NOT the dx, it is how an illness affects you and your abilities to perform work.

You gave an example of this yourself when you mentioned a blind singer that is capable of earning above the amount specified by SSDI.

You stated in your paperwork submitted to SSDI, how your life is affected by your medical conditions but this is only from YOU. SSDI needs medical documentation that supports your statements AND that your treating physician attests to the reasonableness for someone to experience those limitations with your conditions.

[Hopeless]

Originally Posted by canifindagooddr

I can't recall saying my DX alone should win me my claim. I don't I ever said such a thing. If I did, I was not in my 'right mind.' I understand it is how the DX affects your everyday life and one's ability to work. I don't think I got to 5th base by being an idiot. All though at times, I am sure I am probably the biggest one in the room. Grin.

I did not mean to imply that you were claiming benefits on a diagnosis of SFN alone.

I was trying to explain why the article to which you have referred will be of NO value to your claim.