Just received letter that ALJ hearing is aug. 6th. Having problems with surgent getting paper work and reports. Even though lawyer has all of the dr.'s notes lawyer requested for the doctor to fill out a medical report and a physical capability report but the doctor says he doesn't do that stuff. The back surgery failed, and the doctor is seeing new problems with the above disks that is causing more pain. The doctor stated that he can no longer do anything for me and referred me to pain managment and told me to collect disability. I was wondering at the age of 47 am I at the age where they will tell me that I am still teachable to learn a new trade. I work at a steal mill all day and can't do that anymore. The doctor will not sign off to let me go back to work, and told me to file for disability but now he will not do any of the paper work to help me. And time is running short. The lawyer says that we have a good judge that favors people who have failed surgerys. Anybody run into any problems like this and still win there case?

Hi Jamie.. we have such similiar stories(heartaches) !! I also had back surgery,mine was spinal fusion in 2000. Since then my discs are wearing away and also I am losing the cartilidge in my pelvis.(I acount this as a side effect of my surgery,ugh) My doctor also said I am never to work again and insisted I quit my job (too much pain to work anyway)and said he will help me with SS. He really has helped me a lot. I go to him in a week for my final evaluation for my SS hearing in Aug. Luck to us both..there has to be a light at the end of this painful and stressful tunnel !! take-care

Jamie:Just a thought, because I really don't know too much about the appeal process. I was one of the lucky ones that was approved first time around.

If your attorney says you have a "good judge that favors people" what does he think about going before the judge and stating your doctor was asked and refused to fill out the forms? I had a doctor like that, when he dealt with insurance companies.

You might run that by your attorney and see what he thinks.