As most of the stories go...

I just rec'd my denial letter from SSDI yesterday basically just stating that I am not considered disabled at this time and I have the right to appeal. No other information on the letter, which is frustrating.

I guess I'm wondering what the next step is. Obviously I'm going to appeal, however, I'm wondering if anyone knows how to go about the process and how it works in my state (WI)?

A little background - I have had 4 back surgeries...the last being a two level fusion (L4/5/S1) and am still having significant pain 14 months later. Was back working after all the surgeries but struggling and my companies Occupational Physician actually wrote me off work for a year because of my problems. Have had many rounds of PT and countless injections and nerve ablations to no avail.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hello.....Sorry to hear about your denial. Try not to get discouraged. Almost everyone gets denied at the first stage. You "appeal" via the directions on the form. Bascially, they re-review the application and you have the opportunity to add any information to your file.

If you are denied again, then it goes to the judge stage, where many are approved.

Good luck. I would recommend a search of these boards...There is lots of information about appeals & etc.

Regards,

Ex

Lot's of luck on your appeal. Just make sure you turn in all your paperwork on time. Make sure your records are updated, Make sure you see all your doctors. Like EX posted, they will just give your paperwork another look over, if you are denied then you wait for an hearing, and sit before a judge.
Are you still working? I am asking b/c it not very clear in your post if you were or not. If you are still working it could be one of the reason you were denied. But; if the OT/PT says you will be out of work for a 1 year or more you can be approved
Now If you are still in the year off, SSA might be trying to wait you out, thinking you might get better, give up and go back to work after the year is over.

gook luck

Thanks for the responses guys. I was an active member on here last summer but due to pain levels I kind of disconnected myself from the community.

I am no longer working - I was required by my companies Occupational Physician to be off work for a year (even though my situation does not relate to workman's comp). I have not worked since September 2007.

My doctor has basically diagnosed me with Failed Back Syndrome following several surgeries - last one a two level fusion. Doesn't seem like anyone is willing to look further in to what is causing my problems. Have had countless injections and nerve ablations - and the worst part now is I'm pregnant (which is wonderful but stinks from the back perspective). Now I can't have any xrays or MRI's or injections, etc. Had been thinking about going to Mayo but that is now on hold as not much they would be able to do for me seeing I can't have any diagnostic tests.

I had requested to see an Occupational Therapist so that i could be assessed and see if I could handle going back to work - well let's just say that it didn't work out so well. Was barely able to do what he asked of me with lifting and such.

To make matters worse, I then put a call in to my company HR Rep yesterday to let them know fo the denial and never get a call back. Later in the day I get a call from a guy at a disability company. Apparently in the interim the company has outsourced LTD, and never made the employee's on LTD aware of this. I am just leary of dealing with this caseworker from the disability company. He started asking questions about what meds I was on and I was only able to tell him one of them because he then went on to something else...frustrating.

And probably the most frustrating part is not having a solid diagnosis of what is wrong with me - it just seems like I was dumped after having the fusion.

I have requested a CD from Social Security to review the information they rec'd and I hope that sheds a light on my doctors information that was provided.

Very frustrated.

Thanks for your help and I'll continue to nose around and try and figure out more about what to do.

Well, contrants on the future birth of your child.
Yea sounds like SSA is trying to wait you out. But since you are out for a year, SSA says if you are disabled for a year or more well you can or might be approved. I do not know much about STD/LTD and how that works, I have never had to do that.

be well
lynn