Update on my SSDI application -- Long post

FaithS · 07-02-2008, 10:59 AM

I am attempting to be very pro-active with my application.

After talking with my PCP, my neurologist, my psychologist, and my psychiatrist, I submitted my application, online, the first week of June, as all 4 doctors indicated that they would support me in my claim for disability. I printed a copy of each page that I filled out online. I have a stack of 3 or 4" of pages. My online application was followed by a phone interview on June 13.

There were a number of sections on the online form where there was not enough room to explain my situation adequately. Although there was a little bit of extra room at the end of the form to add things, I still ran out of room. I had hoped that I could explain it during the phone interview, but the interviewer did not seem to take the time to understand, and i was concerned that he also had not been able to document it well. So, when I received my phone interview summary in the mail, I followed their instructions relating to adding additional information that may affect my case, and wrote two pages of additional information, which I mailed to them.

Last week, my DH and I each received a "Function Report" to fill out -- eleven pages, I believe. We filled it out fairly promptly, and had it in the mail in a couple of days.

Since we had already received paperwork from Disability Determination Services (DDS), I wondered if DDS had also already requested medical records from my doctors, so I called to ask about that. They had, but indicated that the requests did not go directly to the doctors, but simply to the medical records depts. of the clinics/hospitals.

My psychologist had previously indicated that she would not only send medical records, but would specifically write a letter for me. she reports that she has previously had success in helping SSDI applications be approved in 6-8 months. She suggested that she would likely set up an appt. with me prior to mailing the letter, to be sure that I was comfortable that her assertions were accurate.

So, I called her to let her know that their request for medical records had been mailed out. She indicated that their agency policy is to forward the request to the clinician, prior to sending medical records out, so that they have an opportunity to decide which records should be sent out. She expected that she would be receiving the request soon.

I then called my medical clinic to check on whether they had received DDS's request, and what their policy was. They had received it, and had already sent medical records out, without contacting the doctors directly. That is there policy, due to the high volume of medical releases they receive each day.

Both of my doctors at that clinic had indicated that they would also be willing to write a letter for me. I asked medical records about the best way to request that that be done. They suggested that I contact their nurses, and let them know that the medical records dept. had received DDS's request, and ask that they write their letter, and medical records would send it out.

I made the phone calls, and heard back from my neurologist's nurse today. She said that he had requested that she read it to me prior to sending it to medical records to be mailed out. It was a short letter, but he had followed the suggestion that I had received from somebody to include the wording that I am "totally and permanently disabled", and not to attempt to "rehabilitate" me.

I am hopeful that the letters that DDS receives from my doctors will aid me in getting SSDI approval in a timely manner, without a denial.

Wishful thinking, maybe. Huh?

I am hoping that my experience might be helpful to others. I will try to keep you updated on how successful my SSDI claim application is.

If anyone has helpful tips for me on ways keep things moving along, and to get approved, I'm all ears.

~ Faith
__________________

thursday · 07-02-2008, 03:52 PM

Sounds like you are really on top of your stuff Faith!!! You ave a clear idea of what you are expecting from your doctors to help you and it sounds like your execution is great! .... I am earnestly hoping that your doctors do you right by complying with your requests concisely and in a timely manner.
good luck- fingers crossed!!

FaithS · 07-07-2008, 09:56 AM

Thanks, Thursday.

My neurologist wrote a short letter to Disability Determination Services (DDS); his nurse called me and read it to me over the phone, prior to mailing it. He wrote that I am:

Quote:

"totally and permanently disabled. There is no possibioity of rehabilitation. she has such frequent flare-upss that she is unemployable. Even when she is in remission, she is unable to work and eight hour day, and these are infrequent."

My psychologist wrote a 2 page letter that went into details that I had given her about my work hx, and how it had been impacted by my MS. She also indicated to them that I would be unable to do "substantial gainful employement".

Both doctors used terminology that the DDS likes. Hopefully, the letters will be helpful for my claim. My psychiatrist is no longer employed at the same agency, but his records would be similar to my pychologist's, and he would not likely have drafted as good a letter as she did. My PCP (family doctor) is out of town for several weeks. I will try to contact him, again, about also writing a letter when he returns.

However, I am now concerned because, on July 3, I had an initial visit with an MS specialist who believes that I may not have MS. I worry that a possible change in diagnosis might impact how quickly Disability Determination Services processes my SSDI application. And, I wonder whether they might decide that the possibility of a new treatment plan might result in me being more likely to be able to work, and might lead to them being more likely to deny my application.

Thanks for listening.

~ Faith

FaithS · 07-22-2008, 09:30 AM

Update:

I called my Disability Examiner this morning in Topeka to update her on July Dr. appointments.

I had one appointment with Dr. Sharon Lynch, an MS specialist in Kansas City, on July 3, and I have a follow-up appointment scheduled with her on July 23. I had another appointment with my neurologist in Wichita yesterday.

Regarding my 5 doctors:
1. My psychiatrist is no longer with my mental health agency -- he left June 30. I know that his records have been sent. I do not know what he wrote, but he said that he would support my application, so I trust that there might be something helpful in his notes.

2. My psychologist sent a 2 page letter, in addition to her records, that discussed how my MS has impacted my employment over the past 6 1/2 years.

3. My neurologist sent a short letter, also in support of me receiving disability.

4. My PCP (family doctor) wrote a letter that was in the medical chart, so it was included when medical records sent those out. I have not read his letter; I called their office today, and they plan to send me a copy.

5. I have not talked with Dr. Lynch about applying for disability, so I do not know what she will say. I have only seen her once. When I see her on Thursday, I will bring copies of the other doctors letters that I have, in case she needs "convincing".

I also asked if there was anything else that I needed to do. The examiner said that all of my paperwork, so far, is in, and that after they request and receive information about my July appointments, they may be able to make a determination, if they have enough information.

I am nervous about receiving a denial, as they are fairly typical at a first determination. But, I am also hopeful that, since I have the support of my doctors, they will approve my claim application.

~ Faith

P.S.: Anybody else in the application process? Start a new thread, and share your experiences and progress. Maybe we can learn from it.

finz · 08-01-2008, 12:38 AM

How did this past appointment go for you Faith ? Has this new doc offered any idea as to what she thinks the dx is, if not MS ?

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