For those of you who have gone through the awful SSD process, did you have any luck in getting approved for these conditions? I haven't been able to work for the past 2 yrs due to the disabling symptoms that land me in a recliner with my rigid neck brace on for the majority of the day due to such severe pressure at the base of my skull/spinal cord & all of the neuro sx that occur.
I have EDS, TCS, POTS, chiari/craniovertebral instability cervico-medullary syndrome, retroflexed odontoid, abnormal clivo-axial angle, and c4-5 instability. The chiari specialist that I saw wrote the most thorough reports and even used the word "disabled" twice and would you believe that I am still being met with resistance?
I am currently at the hearing level with a Disability attorney that has been absolutely useless in helping to represent my complex case. Despite already attending a hearing where a year-long daily sx log was presented to show the limitations that I experience, 6 thorough personal support statements, my personal statement, a mile-high medical record, functional capacity form from my PCP that deems me disabled and unable to perform in any capacity at work, the 2 thorough reports from the chiari specialist that states that I am disabled,and the agreement of the State Vocational Expert that there are no jobs for me due to my limitations, 2 radiologist reports also concur with the neurosurgeon.
The judge now feels that my condition is so beyond her ability to understand that we should have another hearing so she can consult with a neurologist so he can interpret things for her. I am so livid. There is no way a local neurologist knows anything about this...that's why I had to drive 800 miles to get help. I am so desperate for this to go through b/c I need the $ so that I can have 3 major surgeries that I need. What would my options be re: the attorney that I currently have that is completely useless and resisting me more than representing me?
It blows my mind that these conditions aren't automatically approved when other conditions that are so similar are deemed as disabilities by SS. Any advice?
My SSD was approved and I have a very extensive situation. I know how stressful it can be. I would fire the useless attorney and contact Ben's Friends Partner The Social Security Law Group (www.sslg.com), and tell them you are a Member of Ben's Friends and they will get things straight. I worked with them for 2 years in an appeal because of a clerical error that involved an incorrect end of employment date. I never had one hiccup. Everything was very professional and I am very pleased with their services. That's why I encouraged Ben's Friends to Partner with them. The Customer Service was that incredible. If I think it was perfect ....it was perfect in every way. It is strange the judge made that decision. I had 900 pages of medical records the judge told me. She was wonderful. Everyone I have talked to said their judge has always gone out of their way to help them , including mine. I am sorry your judge is doing this. The bad part is a new appeal will take a year. What is your current attorney saying about this? He can question the qualifications of the courts specialist /NL regarding Chiari Malformation experience.
We are also working on an Insurance Program but have to wait until October 2013 for Obamacare to waive the pre existing requirement. So please keep a lookout for that.
I have no idea why I am being met with such resistance. My atty has been useless for sure. He has no clue about my conditions. I have provided him with a ton of information and suggested he read about them so that he can speak intelligently about my conditions and the limitations that they cause. I do feel that my atty is the biggest problem. He has done nothing to fight for me. I was told that my supplemental hearing could be at the end of May. I have made the point that if the judge needs clarification she should consult with a NL that has chiari experience, not just any NL. I even suggested that she have a conference call with the chiari specialist that I am seeing. No response from my atty. I would love to fire him....the issue is once you go to hearing, he gets paid even if you go with someone else. I might just check out SSLG though. Thanks
PS..... I sent you a friend request re: another private msg that I sent to you...you must never have received it. You and I had been in touch re: insurance stuff a while ago. If you don't mind accepting my request I'll resend my msg....thanks!
TracyZ said:
My SSD was approved and I have a very extensive situation. I know how stressful it can be. I would fire the useless attorney and contact Ben's Friends Partner The Social Security Law Group (www.sslg.com), and tell them you are a Member of Ben's Friends and they will get things straight. I worked with them for 2 years in an appeal because of a clerical error that involved an incorrect end of employment date. I never had one hiccup. Everything was very professional and I am very pleased with their services. That's why I encouraged Ben's Friends to Partner with them. The Customer Service was that incredible. If I think it was perfect ....it was perfect in every way. It is strange the judge made that decision. I had 900 pages of medical records the judge told me. She was wonderful. Everyone I have talked to said their judge has always gone out of their way to help them , including mine. I am sorry your judge is doing this. The bad part is a new appeal will take a year. What is your current attorney saying about this? He can question the qualifications of the courts specialist /NL regarding Chiari Malformation experience.
We are also working on an Insurance Program but have to wait until October 2013 for Obamacare to waive the pre existing requirement. So please keep a lookout for that.
I'm so sorry that you are going though this as well. It is beyond frustrating. Not only do we have to prove to Drs that this is real before we get the real help that we need, but we also have to fight to get the financial help that we need when we can't work. It's so wrong! I just don't understand why nobody can understand that when your brain/spinal cord is compressed neurological issues occur throughout your whole body. They approve SSD for far less severe issues. It's a very flawed system!!! Keep fighting!!
Godsent79 said:
I am going through the same thing.I was denied SSD three times already.I can not work due to the painful symptoms of Chiari.I think they don't understand or care because its not them feeling the pain.I am praying for you.Its so discouraging and frustrating when you are constantly losing the SSD battle.We have to stand strong and fight the fight until we win.
I had to use a professional "group" attorney program called ALLSUP. They were wonderful. I truly don't think I would have ever been approved without their insight and assistance throughout the entire process. They were very expensive, but don't charge up front, they only charge if they win your case and then they take a % of what you were supposed to have received as "back-pay". Google them for info. if you are interested. It was several years ago that I used them. I don't recall alot about them, just that they were such a blessing to have helped win my case.