Problems with S.S.D.I

[ren225]

to rmet

It is people like you that are rare and informed enough to give hope to people like me. Thank you for the PM. I have just begun to investigate and learn about the condition. My wife and I were aghast at how I fit the symptoms. This is something I have never heard of and I have read a lot about mood disorders. To give you a background of me: I had been an Auto Technician for 15 years. In 5/2001 I injured my neck(not job related or auto accident) I herniated 2 disks in my neck(I knew I had severe pain but was waiting for an m.r.i. appointment so I did not actually know what was wrong at that point). I tried to still continue working until my m.r.i. appointment in 6/2001 when they found the herniated disks. I was fired from that job the day I asked for F.M.L.A that’s were the E.E.O.C. complaint came in as I posted earlier. It took 3 months to get an appointment with a Neurosurgeon. His recommendation was not to have surgery and continue with physical therapy and spinal manipulations as surgery was a last resort due to my age and complications that could arise from it. So that's what I did. Six months later I returned to work at another Car Dealership and 2 weeks into that employment I fell down a flight of stairs at my own home. I was given an m.r.i. and battery of x-rays and what they found is that I had caused spondoletythes of the sacrum and had ruptured another disk accompanied by pars defect. Again the doctors felt that at my age surgery would be to limiting for me at my age (mid 30's). So I continually go in for complete spinal manipulations to my family Doctor who is a D.O. so I do not go to a Chiropractor. It was his recommendation that I change my field of work. That is when I contacted the Pa O.V.R. and sought job retraining. I quit school in 11th grade (which would actually give me a 10th grade level of education) so I even had to go take my G.E.D before I could apply for further schooling. I was not only happy I passed the G.E.D. but ecstatic when I found out I ranked in the top 99% of the U.S. in several areas of testing. I then sought job retraining and went for Computer Network Administration. I received my Diploma w/Honors and was hired as a network technician for an International V.O.I.P (voice over internet protocol) Company on my first interview. That was 11/23/03, on 1/4/04 my Mother passed away. I took more time off from work than they would allow, so the day I came back to work 1/14/04 they terminated my position with them. The combination of my mothers’ death, loosing my job, having help from the Pa H.M.A.P. (as posted earlier) rescinded. Along with a 5 day stay in the Hospital for Diverticulitis Led to an emotional breakdown and a 6 day stay in a mental health ward of a local hospital. I then on advice of Psychologists, Doctors, and Therapists applied for S.S.D.I. hence my current situation. Sorry to take so much time of explaining but I felt it necessary for the other posters like ellencee to have the whole current background. Know Knowing this along with the fact that I recently found out that I have nerve impingement of the ulnar nerve (funny Bone) and will be in a splint for 3 months to see if it corrects the problem, and if it does not I will need to have the nerve surgically repositioned and as I was told by a neurosurgeon that I can and probably will loose motor function in that hand as well as not even correct the numbness and pain that I feel in that hand and fingers. They also said that the other arm is showing signs of impingement just not as severe yet and may be looking at the same for that arm in the future. Which would also make me a candidate again for job retraining. I also forgot to mention the rectal surgery I had were they cut the sphincter muscle in my rectum which makes it hard to control bowl movements and pretty much limits kneeling down to pick something up as I have no control of that region and is quite embarrassing as anyone could imaging. I would sincerely hope that if ellencee has a medical background or is currently in the medical field that she would be more understanding to her patients than she was to me.

 

[ellencee]

I could not care less whether this anonymous poster receives SSDI or does not; however, I am not in favor of giving this poster a new diagnosis and set of signs and symptoms to incorporate into his behavior profiling and I am not going to give false reassurance to anyone.

I sincerely believe SSDI law is what will ultimately either gain approval of benefits or gain absolute denial of benefits.

This poster is in the appeal stage of application, not in the initial application for benefits stage. To provide new medical information (a new diagnosis) in appeal process is not the way to go.

If the poster has medical experts who have stated he is disabled and the SSA is using those experts to say he is not disabled, the poster's attorney should be able to successfully use the medical records, written statement, etc. and gain acceptance of the information as substantiating the disability. Administrative hearing judges are usually very reasonable judges and do not usually show bias towards SSA.

Unfortunately for the poster, he appears to be his worst enemy. Unfortunate, too, is that he apparently does not understand the scope of turning his life over to SSA. Receiving SSDI benefits is not the beginning of financial security and a steady paycheck; it is the beginning of having his life and income controlled by an agency whose one hand does not know what the other hand is doing and whose functioning is screwed up by paperwork and regulations being issued by at least three departments in three different states, none of whom have any actual knowledge of the benefit-receiver. I see the mother of all panic attacks happening at six-month intervals if this poster succeeds in gaining SSDI benefits; but , that is a risk he certainly has my permission to take.

I remain firmly grounded in my original advice to appeal this from a legal (merit) standpoint rather than a medical standpoint and reaffirm that new diagnoses are not going to apply to an appeal of a previously rendered decision. New medical diagnoses must be included in a new application for benefits.

EC

 

[rmet4nzkx]

I'm glad the information I gave you is helpful and that you and your wife are reviewing it together. As stated it is a neurological disorder, clumsiness is often a part of it so a history of falls or injuries, sometimes is not unusual. Your history of not completing high school yet testing out with a high score on the GED is typical. If you have this disorder you psychiatrist may want to try different medications. Be sure to get the NP evaluation and let your attorney know about this possibility.

It is very important to have your neurosurgeon review the materials because if and or when he does a thorough neurological exam and emg, he should look for differences between sides including sensory imperception, a brain MRI may or may not show anything at this point but might be good to get a benchmark to compare in the future. Your ability to preceive sensation may affect your ability to work and do many things safely, surgery may not help or change your senstions as a part of it is a sensory processing problem. This may be a big factor in any work you might attempt along with the bowel restrictions. There usually is greater impairment on one side although both may be affected and there is not a lot written about this aspect at this point in time.

Also your history of falls subsequent to your herniated disc in your neck. I had a similar problem following an auto accident, my neurologist would cringe when I moved my neck because it sounded like a cement mixer from across the room! I had one very small herniated disc in my neck and I was falling backwrds without warning, I fell at least 6 times, I was caught 4 of those times and hit the deck 2 of those itmes. The ENT gravely sent me back to the neurologist, they thought I had somehting called PSP which was fatal, but luckily it was the little hernia on the disc. Eventually a chiropractor was able to adjust it, but until that time I had to wear a helmet, and did special exercises, so those herniated disc may still be a problem, but I would avoid surgery unless it is absolutely necesary.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Ellen,
I agree in part, OP doesn't know the implications of ssdi on his life in the future and the limitaitons, on the other hand he does have a spouse who is supportive.

Apparently from what I gather he is in between the initial declinaiton and reconsideration. One of his contentions is that social security failed to consider all the information submitted from his providers including their own doctor who said he was disabled. That is why I suggested getting copies of their file etc, if that proves to be the case, that the clerk in social security omitted medical records proving his disability, as they are known to do, this might cause a supervisor in the processing center to reexamine the processing of the original complaint to include what was submitted and omitted without the need for formal reconsideration. I have seen this happen when there was proof. If it turns out he has the neurological condition suspected, it is usually the case that it is undiagnosed, however it is a recognized form of disability accepted by Social Security when properly reported and can stand alone, but taken with the others might make a difference. If he has this condition and confirmed by his neurosurgeon and or neurologist, this may prevent him from having unecessary surgery. There is still th epossibility that given a good match to skills and work that might still be a possibility given a supportive environment. If he is not disabled then this will be proved.

 

[ren225]

to rmet

During my first consultation with my attorney,this past Wednesday,he had made some refferance to the fact that if upon his review of records that he is in the process of getting, that if the S.S.A. left out relevant information or did not even seek records from some of the sources we may get them to reconsider and might not have to go before a judge. To be honest though I was on a pass from the mental health dept. and had taken my meds rite before our visit so I think/pretty sure that's what he meant. I was just discharged late friday afternoon so I will have to wait to talk to him and clarify this on Monday.Thank You for you information and advice,and even if this doesn't help my case with S.S.D.I. it is still helpfull to me as to why I have not been getting better and only getting worse. I will contact my Lawyer Monday as well as my PCP and try to get tested for that type of ailment. I have already taken a couple of the test available on the internet and have tested very highly to have this condition. Thanks again

 

[rmet4nzkx]

To Ren,
The tests I am refering to would be admnistered by the neuropsychologist, while the internet may have tests for you to take that may suggest that condition, I am only suggesting that you get the appropriate tests from the NP and the neurologist/neurosurgeon and not to influence your repsonses at all. To make the diagnosis, some specific things will have to be in place and I will not say what they are, to influence you either, don't worry about it this weekend, call your attorney on Monday. It sounds like the attorney is on top of things,as soon as they get your records that will make a big difference. Don't go talking to reporters without your attorney's permission.

 

[ren225]

Thanks again rmet

I will not worry about it anymore today and will wait till Monday like you said. I did already asked the Attorney that I would like to see if the newspaper would like to do a story on it and he said that would be o.k., but at the time I didn't think to ask about using specific names so I will also check with him on that. I do realize the test on the internet was a basic fundamental approach but I did wonder how I categorized with it just out of interest.
Thanks for all the info, it is greatly appreciated

 

[ren225]

to rmet

I have contacted my Attorney like you suggested, He said to not use names at all in any story being done. He did also feel that we have enough history and reports by Phsyciatrists, Phsycologists and such that I shouldn't worry about the diagnosis at all for know. As the S.S.A. people really apparentally screwed up and are just playing the law of averages that I won't apeal there decision. Yesterday I did speak with my Therapist and Family Doctor who were both suprised that I was turned down because they both recieved copies of the Pshyciatric evaluation that I had by the S.S.A Phsyciatrist which clearly stated that I should not be working as my conditions do not allow it to be possible at this time, even stating that she herself had treated me back in the mid 90's for these same problems and suggested then that I apply for S.S.D.I. Also my family Doctor had reccommended against having a NeuroPhsyciatrist and Neurologist evaluate me at this time because of the extreme amount of medications I tried to use to "take myself out" with considering the dosages used and lifespan of the medication he was more worried about cardio damage at present as my blood pressure had dropped to 40/0 for a lenghthy time during this . He did say in a Month or so that he would then be more interested in having me checked out by a Neurologist and NeuroPhsciatrist along with a C.A.T. scan. I wanted to update you to this point and Thank You again for your insight and helpfulness in this matter.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Thanks for the update, BTW that was a neuropsychologist they do neuropsychological testing not a neuropsychiatrist, they prescribe medication there is a big difference, that may be why it was suggested to wait, I was suggesting tests, not testing medication! But if your attorney is able to get them to do the informal reconsideration based on the omitted psychiatrist report then you can always use the neurospychologist information for the formal reconsideration if it comes to that. But the information will be of help to you and your doctors in the future to develop your treatment plans no matter the outcome. I just wanted to clarify that.

 

[ren225]

That was a typing error on my part. I did ask about neuropsychologist just typed it incorrectly. Thanks again

 

[ren225]

rmet another question

I had copies sent to my family Doctor and Phsyciatrist from the S.S.A.'s evaluation by there Phsyciatrist of me. I was able to get a copy of the report and it clearly states that I am incapable of holding any employment due to my conditions and their Pdoc had even noted that these conditions have been present since the mid 90's and have only gotten worse and stated to them that I was even under her care during one of my stays in a facility during the late 90's. How could the S.S.A literally ignore their own Physycians report? The S.S.A had even stated that there was no history of problems in the past. Yet this is clearly a lie on there part,as there own Doctor states to the contrary. Is there an Agency that lies and fabrications can be reported too? I am confident that my Attorney has enough information and history, etc. to win on appeal, but if this happened to me how many other people are they doing this to? It doesn't seem rite that this is our Gov't that is doing this so blatently.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

It happens frequently and rare to be approved on the first pass. Once your attorney gets copy of your file and their (SSA)report he can determin what medical records they used, if their IME/evaluator failed to look at their Psychiatrist report it may be a simple thing to get approved without formal reconsideration, however if this happens, they will delay you because approval at this point will almost assuredly trigger an audit because they like to aduit approved applications, they don't audit denied applications, I wonder why? Although it will take some time, call your congressmember and senator's offices and lodge complaints against SSA there, you will have to write it up but you have time for that while you are waiting.

PS you keep using "there" when you should use, "their". As in, "Look over there, they are getting into their new car!"

 

[ren225]

I will do exactly that, as I do not think "their" agency should treat people in this manner. Thank You

 

[ren225]

Question for rmet

I have sent you a PM,as you stated in one of your posts your field is in Forensic Neuroscience,and wanted to ask you a question without posting. If possible please consider reading the PM.
Thank You

 

[rmet4nzkx]

To Ren
I answered it already.