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.

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.

^^^^^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.

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

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.)

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...

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oidap/...Evaluation.pdf

"An individual shall be determined to be under a disability only if his
physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity
that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot,
considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any
other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national
economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate
area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for
him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work. For
purposes of the preceding sentence (with respect to any individual),
“work which exists in the national economy” means work which
exists in significant numbers either in the region where such
individual lives or in several regions of the country."

Word of caution:

This is for any and all applicants for disability through SSDI.

Never assume that you will qualify for benefits and be counting on them. Everyone needs to be prepared for the possibility that they will NOT be approved and should always consider what they will need to do if that is the eventuality.

Everyone's situation and need is different but there is always the possibility that one may be denied and everyone should prepare a back-up plan should denial be the end result.

Excellent advice!!!!