I hope this doesn't thread doesn't get moved, cuz I'd really like to hear from some of you who have DDD.

Has anyone successfully applied for and received SSDI?

I have done a little reading, and it sounds like "pain" is not one of those things that the SSD folks see as preventing you from doing your job.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks.:)

I hope this doesn't thread doesn't get moved, cuz I'd really like to hear from some of you who have DDD.

Has anyone successfully applied for and received SSDI?

I have done a little reading, and it sounds like "pain" is not one of those things that the SSD folks see as preventing you from doing your job.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks.:)

Do yourself a favor and seek the advice of an attorney who SPECIALIZES
in SSDI. Most likely you will be denied the first time around and then you must appeal. It is a very daunting and humiliating process, as I am in the very beginning stages of it. I can't stress enough get someone to represent you who deals strictly with SSDI...they sleep, eat and breathe the laws.
I have an appt. with an attorney the beginning of next month to see what battles I am up against. Good luck to you.

Julie, I'm not familiar with the process of applying for SSDI while still working. Dh's situation went something like this...

He went out on short term disability (paid through employer) for a bad knee. He could not return to work and the short term turned into long term disability under the 'own occupation' stipulation. His LTD company made him apply for SSDI at that time and he was turned down. At 24 months, he developed back problems and then was approved for long term disability benefits under the 'any occupation' terms. The insurance company again told him to appy for SSDI and again, he was turned down. The company offered legal representation and had him apply for a third time and he was denied - even after the dr. that the SSA sent him to said he couldn't work. So, we appealed and dh received an 'on the record decision' from the ALJ (judge). Dh is now unable to work under any circumstances because of his back, neck and knees. But, he was denied on just the condition of his knees and then again because of his knees and back. The neck stuff came later.

To make this post even longer for you, I've heard plenty of people say that a lawyer won't accept a case until there has been a denial. You may want to talk to the HR person at your place of employment. Find out what your options are and whether or not you have disability insurance. If so, and you are unable to work anymore, you can apply for SSDI while receiving at least some income.

Hi Julie,
I recieve SSDI, I told on the other thread what is wrong with me. It took me 4 yrs to get approved, I thought I would die before getting approved. I got denied the 1st & 2nd times around then we went to hearing. Took 1 1/2 to get one scheduled and then like 4-5 months to hear the outcome of that! they are very very slow. my hearing was in feb 3 month after my last front & back fusion attempt. I was in a fiberglass brace that had a leg brace attached to the left leg (due to the nerve damage) I couldn't walk more than maybe 50 feet or so without a walker at that time. I was approved, since I looked like a truck hit me, lol. My approval was given with the condition that in 18 months I would be checked on to see how I recovered from the surgery since I wasn't allowed out of the brace until 5 months post op. Well 18 months was back in dec 07 and I still haven't heard from SSD yet. So God only knows how long it will take for them to do that.

I have to agree it is a very humilating process and without a lawyer I would have never gotten thru it and I'm sure SSD counts on that fact. I'm only 46 now and it is harder to win the younger you are I was told. Now I don't make tons of money but the medical/prescription coverage is better than what I had before, I'm still paying bills from the surgeries and take 8 different meds now, I think. So the medicare is the blessing I think.

Your right SSD doesn't consider pain a reason for disablilty, but your reasons for the pain are way more than DDD. I would call a good lawyer and then relax while they do the work. I kept a weekly journal as the yrs went on so I had accurate dates & outcomes of any & all tests & dr. visits. That really helped me so much when I had to go back & remember all of that for the lawyer. I started the journal so whenever I saw a new dr. I just printed it out and whala! they had my complete history, the dr.'s just loved it.

I wish you well should you decide to do this. Just remember patience is a virtue, lol, especially with SSD cases.

I was told by SS that you have to be out of work for at least 6 months before you can qualify to apply for it. Things could have changed since then, and things are different from state to state also. So once again that lawyer is a must.

God Bless

Carol

Thanks for the input. I was out of work on STD the beginning of last year, for about 2 1/2 month while recovering from my surgery. I am still working, but also, just looking ahead to what my options might be in the event that I become unable to work.

Mama: I like the idea of the weekly journal, and have been meaning to do that. I think some of my posts here would be helpful as a starting point. I also copies of all my tests in a binder and are tabbed by date with Dr's name and name of test, and date, of course. That helps me keep things in order as well.

I work in an insurance agency, and one of our customers has applied for SS due to a torn rotator cuff. He's 61 and they say the recovery time for him will be about a year - he builds houses for a living. The SS rep he spoke with over the phone made it sound to him like he'll have his checks start coming in about 6 months. I (quietly) said to myself, "yeah, right", based on what I've been hearing and reading. Obviously his age will be a factor. I'll be interested in following him to see what happens.

We got about 4 inches of heavy wet snow today already. I slipped on some ice while delivering a meal to a co-worker who just had surgery. I'm paying for it now - I'm wearing my heated neck wrap my sweet daughter got me for Christmas. I'm moving to Arizona where they don't have snow and ice!;)

HI,
I know the older you are the less hard time they give you, my neighbor was 59 and she got approved in less than a year and got the back pay too. We used the same lawyer and she said if your close to retirement it goes faster. It changes over to your regular SS after retirement age.

I'm far from that age.

I hope your feeling better from that slip, I hate it whenit's icy, i'm always so afraid of falling and of cars running into us.

God Bless

Carol

First let me say that I'm sorry you're in pain.:( Now... some of the best advice you've been given is to find an attorney that deal with SSD. Most will allow you a free consultation and give you some advice on what you're looking at.

Keep a journal is very helpful as the other poster said. For several years I kept a daily journal and included what I was and wasn't able to do, what my pain level was at, if I had talked to anyone (attorney, W. Comp, etc.). It's a LONG process and it was the only way I could have ever have attempted to remember everything.

There are two things that are extremely helpful with a SSD claim. An FCE and a VE. FCE = Functional Capacity Evaluation. VE = Vocational Evaluation. The FCE is a bunch of tests that is usually given by a physical therapist and shows how much you can lift, if you can bend, reach over your head, etc.. The VE is given by a vocational expert and shows what type of work if any you are capable of doing. Especially when it comes to medical problems where pain is what prevents you from working, these two things are often the only thing that can show you can or can't work. I've been through 3 or 4 FCE's and they were long and extremely painful, but beneficial to my case.

Talk to your doctor and/or attorney about these and they can probably set them up for you.

Good luck! It took me almost 4 years from when I filed to when I was approved. Hang in there!;)

i filed for ssdi in july07 and was awarded well i got my letter feb 8th this year.

si it was roughly 5 months for me, got it in december.07
i got denied once, got a lawyer and got it in the reconsideration phase.

mine wasnt for pain though.

Hi Julie...I have suffered from DDD for many years and had my seventh surgery in June, 07....(5 cervical and 2 lumbar). I applied for SSDI in September of 06, Denied in February of 07 and am now awaiting a hearing date. I do have an attorney who says that I have a good case...Hopefully things will work out for me. I do wish you the best of luck. DDD is a very painful disease and those of us who have it suffer not only physically but mentally as well. Best wishes to you and please keep us posted on your progress....

Barbie