Now I wonder

[krashleen]

I am applying for SSDI, turned down for SSI(which I knew from the start I made too much, had too much in savings)but, I am 50, have Chiari, CFS, migraines, tacharydia, DDD, OA, and have a residual functioning analysis from my neurosurgeon that says that I cannot do much of anything, including keyboarding, 10% left and right. Cannot sit for more than 1 hour without getting up, standing longer than 1 hour without sitting down. That I am not a malingerer, and that my conditions would cause me to miss work more than 4 times a month. Who would hire me with those stipulations? I don't have a college education, I worked in the same field all my life, and I don't have short term memory, so how would I learn something new???

I have worked ALL my life, and done one thing, and now I wait for a response from the government. I have contacted an attorney, as I am fearful that it is going to take forever, and then denials.

I guess I need to hear from others that may of had some luck with residual functioning analysis, and of course medical records. I have them, and test results dating back 8 years.
Any thoughts? Should I get an attorney now on board before the first denial? Or hope for the best?

Is five months the normal to hear back? I

[IndySasha]

{{{{ krashleen }}}}}

I have FMS - DDD -- IBS -- Depression & Anxiety.. I have been on SSDI since 2004.

I filed on 10-10-03 by myself and got approved 4/04...

Have you filed yet? did you do it online or snail mail?

I would not worry about an attorney until you are declined...

I was not eligible for SSI either.. I was in the same field for 22yrs when they closed. I was on sick leave but was scared to death so I went out and got a job.. any job right away.. i worked at a finance co for 10months.. and then left .. it was horrible.. went back into Human Resources and lost that job at 2 1/2 yrs due to their being sold and closed.. Then I decided to go to work at a place that would never go out of business.. I became a 911 operator.. did that for 18 months until tension and stress drove my fibro over the edge and the depression pushed me the rest of the way! I filed snail mail for my ssdi and did it all myself.. I have also helped my sister-in-law do hers on the web. We filed hers last dec 05 and she was approved in May 06. So hold on... sometimes it does take awhile.. but hang in there.. if you have any questions please feel free to ask me!!!

{{{{{{ huggsies }}}}}}}
Indy:eek:

[C.J.]

I was denied for SSDI the first time, now of days I believe everyone is. I hired an attorney, got the proper worded letter from a long treating DR. In 1994 it had to state you could not sit or stand on a regular basis for at least 6 hours. You pretty much have to not be able to work and must go without working during the entire process. Family or friends are a must during this time. Mine only took 13 months, but I kept calling. I've heard of some taking
up to 3 years. You must be prepared for a long ride with a certain amount of resources to qualify. Good LucK!

[Shown]

I find my husband very fortunate he was approved in 4 1/2 months, he applied August 1, and received his letter Friday. He has a 2.5 cm pineal cyst and hydrocephalus. However after his brain surgery he returned to work, he worked in a juvenile correction facility, taught the trade he had been in all of his life, masonry, after several altercations at work, he can no longer due what he has done all of his life. I believe the fact like you has done the same thing all of his. He changed jobs however it was in the same field. So with his memories being all messed up. Like you here also how could he learn anything new, when he sometimes he has trouble remembering the last thing said to him.

Good luck! Flood them with information, give them all the medical you have and if your doc is behind you on this get them to write a letter even, the more information the better.

Shown

[krashleen]

Thanks all..I have the support of my neurosurgeon's office, and I will talk to my PM doc at the end of this month.

I filed on-line then I forgot to hit "submit" and then went for my brain surgery/fusion neck (4 levels)and things have NOT improved they have stayed the same. Its 50/50 if you get symptom relief from chiari decompression surgery, and I guess I am not, or its too early to tell..

I ended up at the SS office on the 24OCT and hopefully it won't take too long, as I am BROKE! Luckily, hubby works, and he is fully supportive of me and my going for SSDI.

Any other tidbits, I would appreciate it.

Krash

diagnosis~Chiari 1 Malformation, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, retroflexed odontoid, Eagles Syndrome, OA, DDD and some depression thrown in.

Surgery ~ Chiari decompression w/duraplasty, c1 laminectomy, c2 partial laminectomy, and extraction fusion, fused posterior to C4.

As a matter of fact I have had brain surgery!

[CODDLING REQUIRED]

Hi Krashleen, Since you filed already by yourself I suggest that you wait to hear.If you get the normal response of DENIED, then hire an attorney ASAP.Go ahead and scope out the attorneys in your area and then you will be ready to get an appt. quickly as you have a limited time frame to appeal or start over.I am in Ohio and I waited 6 months for the 1st letter. The typical cost of the fee will be about 30% with a cut-off point of around 5300.00 to protect you from abusive practices where they profit from dragging out your case. Use the wait time to see the best Doctors you can in the field to get good documentation of your case for the attorney to use his power to get a good letter out of one of them.
I filed in July 05 on my own.Got denied in 6 months,got attorney Jan.2,06 and got approved by mail in July 06.After which it takes 30-60 days before you see a dime as the first step is they pay the atty. first, then you get yours.My letter came July 14th and by August 1st I rec'd my 1st monthly check! Within 2 weeks I also got some back pay.They take 4 months off the top that you must be sick before the timetable begins by their guidelines and the dates you may remember as being too sick to work may differ from your 1st visit to the Doctor that will back you up.The point is-they will calculate from your first visit to the Dr. not the 3 months you waited to be seen etc...
Good Luck and let us know how it all turns out.I haven't posted in a long time.This is my first since I got approved.Back in January I was certain I would end up living in a cardboard box before I'd hear back from SSA, but here's proof that there is hope!

[meerkatslvr]

Coddling that is so wonderful! Your case went through fairly quick. I hired an attorney after my first denial too, but it's been a year and a month since I reapplied through my attorney. I recently received notification that my case will be reviewed by the judge and he will determine if he can reach a decision without the hearing. I'm not sure I want that. My medical records have not been requested yet and all they have is my record through October 2005. Well, A LOT has changed since then; new symptoms, new diagnosies, new treatments, new medications, so I hope my FULL record is delivered before he reviews it. I called my attorney's office and asked why has my records not been requested from VA and she said they haven't gotten around my file! Now, in all fairness I have to say I just got my notification a week ago and I may be too anxious to get this over with, so I'll give them a break and not "bug" them too much. I'm soooo praying I get a fully favorable decision without the hearing, but if I don't, I'll be prepared.
Thanks for your story. It really helps those of us waiting. Have a blessed day..

[Dolfinz]

Hi guys..

I am in the same boat, I got denied in 05 and hired an Attorney also, had my hearing on Sept. 21, all medical records were there, (did alot of getting the records myself) plus RFC from the Dr. and I am still waiting on a decision . It has been VERY frustrating to say the least.

I am happy for your favorable decision, and hope everyone else that is wating (like me) gets a favorable too !