I'm at the hearing stage, having been denied the first time and denied on reconsideration. Through the advice of folks on the boards decided to track down my file to see exactly what SS was looking at, which doctors responded and what they said in their notes. Finally tracked it down at the hearing office waiting for a date to be heard and glad I did because if I had been deciding my own case based on what is in that file I would have denied me! :eek: Half my doctors didn't respond, those who did didn't back up their own test results. I relocated to a different state last year so all tests have been redone by new doctors but I'm not sure how to go about making sure this "misinformation" as I refer to it, that is already in the file, doesn't come up at the hearing. I do have a lawyer who has copies of the new test results but I haven't been able to get in touch with him yet to ask a lot of questions, guess you do that closer to the hearing date which hasn't been set yet.

My questions are: Does anyone who has been through a hearing know if they base the hearing mostly on what is currently in the file or will they look at new information from the new doctors and ignore the older test results and notes? Also wondering if I'm going to have to refile the whole thing since I've been diagnosed with PPMS and a thyroid disorder which wasn't even mentioned when I first applied?

Any input appreciated!

If you have new conditions or symptoms, they need to be documented and submitted to your file. My husband just recently was approved by the ALJ with an on the record decision. He had a couple of doctors that backed his claim and had even sent in letters to SSA on his behalf. Even with this and a lot of documentation, he was still sent to see three of "their" doctors. After all of this, the ALJ still based his decision on my husband's treating physicians, not the consultative exams that they had sent him to.

Thank you for that information! I do have one specialist who is very willing to write a letter on my behalf to the SSA. I told my lawyer about it, very excited, thinking this would be a great thing to help out my case but my lawyer burst my bubble when saying it would be great but only if the doctor put it on a SS specific form. :( My philosophy is "beggars can't be choosers" and I'll take the letter happily and hush about it. Of course didn't tell the lawyer that, when he sees a letter he'll have to adjust.

I'm really surprised I was never sent to any of "their" doctors about my pain and DDD. The only doctor they sent me to was a psy who wrote in his report that I would be unable to hold any type of job at the present with in condition. He also had findings that my arithmetic skill level was very low, my entire everything level was very low, yet they examiner paid no attention to those remarks and specifically wrote in my denial letter I should return to my job as a bookkeeper?? Wonder what SS definition of a bookkeeper is? Had to laugh about that even though the denial letter overall sent me into depression!

I'm currently trying to get all new records together to give to the lawyer but since they are in 4 different place and with still more tests scheduled it has been difficult. Looks like they are giving me plenty of time though. The lady at the hearing office said we were looking at September at the soonest since the docket was full until then.

Thanks again for responding!