[Brain patch]

Hi friends,
I have an appointment to go in to the local social security office on March 4th to start a new disability claim. Please keep me in your prayers. I think I will end up committing suicide if I do not get approved this time. I can't keep putting this burden on my family. I have no life without having any money. I really can't do anything. I have not had a haircut for almost 4 years.

I am prepared with new diagnosis and letter from neurologist. Also I have my MRI that shows problems. I will have to submit the report from the Neuropsychological testing later as I am still having tests and do not have a report yet. But I wrote pages on what my symptoms are and how they effect my daily living. I have a letter from my ex-husband that tells about all the times he was with me that I passed out and hit my head on cement and had many concussions. I will get a new letter from my pain doctor. I will have to submit that later also as I do not have an appointment with him until March 19th. But they already have many letters of support from him. Do you think they go back and look at the evidence from your previous claim?

Any advise would be very much appreciated. Again, please pray for me.

Love to you all,
Brain

[Concussion]

Originally Posted by Brain patch

Hi friends,
I have an appointment to go in to the local social security office on March 4th to start a new disability claim. Please keep me in your prayers. I think I will end up committing suicide if I do not get approved this time. I can't keep putting this burden on my family. I have no life without having any money. I really can't do anything. I have not had a haircut for almost 4 years.

I am prepared with new diagnosis and letter from neurologist. Also I have my MRI that shows problems. I will have to submit the report from the Neuropsychological testing later as I am still having tests and do not have a report yet. But I wrote pages on what my symptoms are and how they effect my daily living. I have a letter from my ex-husband that tells about all the times he was with me that I passed out and hit my head on cement and had many concussions. I will get a new letter from my pain doctor. I will have to submit that later also as I do not have an appointment with him until March 19th. But they already have many letters of support from him. Do you think they go back and look at the evidence from your previous claim?

Any advise would be very much appreciated. Again, please pray for me.

Love to you all,
Brain

I can't say for sure, but they should have every bit of your past claim available.

Just do your best to relax, deep breaths before answering any questions; try to speak evenly and slowly and not get overstressed if possible.

Tell your story, your way, in plain words, not the doctor's words - use the regular words, not terms you picked up here and there in what you learned along your travels - those examiners of claims hear it all and hate "experts".

Tell your story, and let them have your doctors' reports do the expert opinion giving - and they can decide if they want to give you and I.M.E. on the SSA's nickel . And, if they talk about it, be open and encourage it - because you want them to verify what your doc already verified.

Here, in Baltimore, I filed in October, and everything got handled on the phone, and they setup their I.M.E. with NeuroPsych, before we had even moved forward with ours, from my depression & cognitive issues, and I got surprises during their exam, and was approved 3 weeks ago. So,the system can work.

Best Wishes.

[shezbut]

(((Brain)))

I hope that everything goes okay for you. You're in my thoughts!

[rmschaver]

Your new evidence maybe very helpful. SS relies heavily on empirical evidence. So a MRI image that shows clear evidence of damage and any doctors report which clearly state what your deficits are and why they contribute to your disability.

[ginnie]

Do you have a representative that can help you with your claim? Try not to be panic over the SS appointment OK? Don't loose hope. Most folks who apply for SS disability do so with council or a representative, it makes the process go much better. Keep all your records together, and have copies of them. Personal letters from your physicians can also be of help when applying again. Not just the form letters filled in. I hope you get the help you need. Don't think suicide, think SS will work, and go for it. You have friends here to support you all the way through it. Take a deep breath, this process takes time, and doesn't happen right away. I also went through the process. Can you stay with family or friends? Can anyone in your family help a bit financially? The no money situation is the most difficult part , I know it, as I lived it too. It can be stressful, so you need the support. I will be thinking of you. ginnie

[Brain patch]

Thanks everyone. I know I can always count on you guys for support. No I do not have a representative as I am under the impression that I have to be denied once and then a lawyer will take my case. I went to the alj level on my last claim with a lawyer and was denied. The lawyer said he was dropping me as a client after that.
I do have a lot of new evidence and diagnosis now so I am hopeful to get through and be approved on this new claim first try.
Yes my family has been supporting me since 2009. I just don't like to ask for anything more than the absolute must have items as they cannot afford it. They are not wealthy and are living on social security. My dad also has Parkinson's disease with dementia so I try not to be a problem or complain or worry them with any problems I am having.
I am so grateful that I have you guys for support and to talk to. Plus you all understand where my family does not.
Keep me in your prayers I really need this to get approved and fast.
Much love to you all,
Brain

[ginnie]

I still would advise you to have that rep with your case. If your other one dumped you, get another. They don't get paid until you do. The system is all messed up Brain, and many people arn't getting the approval even if they need it desperately. I know a gal in the hospital with another stoke, because of being denied. This is happening all over the country. Even with new evidence, the process will go smoother if you have someone in your ball court.
I don't want you to get turned down again, I think your best shot is to get with a SS rep. to get you the rest of the way toward the Disability OK? I am just worried you will get turned down again. It took me three times, and too many years, and I had had 7 surgeries.
You are a good son to try not to involved your parents as they have troubles too. Just don't put yourself in a position where you are freaking over the money issues. That can be over whelming all by itself. You can always pay your folks back for their kindness Brain, pay them back when you checks start coming. They don't want you to suffer Brain. I think it is awsome at how much you want to spare them any more trouble. You need them though right now, to get through this process in one piece.
You bet we understand on NT. None of it is easy. We all need that support. I am in your corner too. Please re-consider getting that rep. I just don't trust the system without one.
Take care Brain, I will indeed keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Others pray for me too. ginnie

[Mokey]

Hope it goes well! Sounds like an awful process!

[ginnie]

[That TBI stuff is so hard on a person. I wish healing for you, that you can get better. Now I know why they are taking a harder look at football players. I am sorry that happened to you. ginnie