SS Dr. Appt & Psychiatric Eval Advice Please? - Disabilities Message Board

lindao1 · 08-02-2004, 12:46 PM

Hi All,

After SS lost my file, they apparently have either found it or are reconstructing it as I've received additional forms to fill out which I've done. Let me add that I had already received the initial denial prior to my file being lost. Friday, they sent me a notice that I must see one of their medical doctors for a "physical examination" and also must see a psychiatrist for a "mental evaluation". Depression is certainly a big part of my life with chronic pain.

Can anyone PLEASE tell me what to expect from both the physical and mental evaluations. Will the physical examination involve things that will cause me more pain? What exactly is the medical doctors agenda? What is the purpose of this appt? And please tell me what the "mental" exam will consist of? Will I have to take a bunch of mental tests? Will they make me go thru my whole life history or will they focus on the depression resulting from my chronic pain?

Any advice or recommendations will be so greatly appreciated. I'm at a loss as to what to expect. I guess I'm experiencing fear of the unknown. so I will appreciate any insight you all can provide me with. Thanks so much for your help. God bless each one of you. Linda

Sickman · 08-02-2004, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindao1

Hi All,

After SS lost my file, they apparently have either found it or are reconstructing it as I've received additional forms to fill out which I've done. Let me add that I had already received the initial denial prior to my file being lost. Friday, they sent me a notice that I must see one of their medical doctors for a "physical examination" and also must see a psychiatrist for a "mental evaluation". Depression is certainly a big part of my life with chronic pain.

Can anyone PLEASE tell me what to expect from both the physical and mental evaluations. Will the physical examination involve things that will cause me more pain? What exactly is the medical doctors agenda? What is the purpose of this appt? And please tell me what the "mental" exam will consist of? Will I have to take a bunch of mental tests? Will they make me go thru my whole life history or will they focus on the depression resulting from my chronic pain?

Any advice or recommendations will be so greatly appreciated. I'm at a loss as to what to expect. I guess I'm experiencing fear of the unknown. so I will appreciate any insight you all can provide me with. Thanks so much for your help. God bless each one of you. Linda

Dear lindao1,
They both will be short and to the point. The medical Doctor will examine you for your cronic pain claim probably by examinatiion without any tests. The psychiatrist will ask you questions specifically from a form more then likely. The medical Doctors tend to give a reasonable diagnosis of what they find as far a physical problems. Unfortunately the psychiatrist will probably write that with propler psychiatric treatment you can be cured of this. This is really not fair since it is only one persons opinion and if they are so good at curing people they should be doing that instead of evaluating for SSD. It all seems like a waste of time but it is part of their process. You should have an SSD attorney lined up for the hearing process also. You do not have to pay an attorney anything prior to the hearing process but they will pull your file and be prepared to go to work asap if you do. Make sure you have one that specializes in these type of cases. I am sorry that you have to go through all of this but this is how the system works unfortunately. Good luck and don't give up.

Sincerely,

Sickman

lindao1 · 08-03-2004, 11:30 AM

Dear Sickman,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my questions. You are such a dear for doing that! I'm glad to know that these two evals. won't be long, drawn-out processes. I just get so nervous and stressed out when SS tells me I have to see drs. THEY want me to see. I can't help but think that these drs. are looking out for SS's welfare and not mine. After all, my future's at stake here. I've already waited so long (three years); it didn't help that they lost my file either.

I do have an attorney but he never communicates with me. When I try and call his office, I always get his paralegal and am never able to speak with the attorney himself. And it never fails that the paralegal can't answer my questions. It's been so frustrating. This attorney, to his credit, was successful in securing a substantial W/C settlement for me, so I know he is well-qualified, but I can't understand why I'm not able to talk with him about this SS process. HE'S the one that suggested I apply for SS disability and he told me he would be happy to represent me and that I had a good case.

Anyway, Sickman, I really appreciate your help and concern. Sorry, I didn't mean to vent a little here! I apologize for that! I'm trying so hard not to give up but after three long years of waiting, it's not easy. Do take care dear and I wish you well. Thanks again! Linda

Sickman · 08-03-2004, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindao1

Dear Sickman,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my questions. You are such a dear for doing that! I'm glad to know that these two evals. won't be long, drawn-out processes. I just get so nervous and stressed out when SS tells me I have to see drs. THEY want me to see. I can't help but think that these drs. are looking out for SS's welfare and not mine. After all, my future's at stake here. I've already waited so long (three years); it didn't help that they lost my file either.

I do have an attorney but he never communicates with me. When I try and call his office, I always get his paralegal and am never able to speak with the attorney himself. And it never fails that the paralegal can't answer my questions. It's been so frustrating. This attorney, to his credit, was successful in securing a substantial W/C settlement for me, so I know he is well-qualified, but I can't understand why I'm not able to talk with him about this SS process. HE'S the one that suggested I apply for SS disability and he told me he would be happy to represent me and that I had a good case.

Anyway, Sickman, I really appreciate your help and concern. Sorry, I didn't mean to vent a little here! I apologize for that! I'm trying so hard not to give up but after three long years of waiting, it's not easy. Do take care dear and I wish you well. Thanks again! Linda

Dear lindao1,
The lawyer can not really do anythig until it gets to the hearing. They are also regulated as to the percentage they can charge you for their services for the hearing. Just be content in one thing. You will be back paid for all but 6 months since the date you originally filed your claim. Good luck and have a nice day.

Sincerely,

Sickman

Purplebill · 08-03-2004, 05:19 PM

I am not sure where the idea that you will be paid for "all but 6 months since the date you originally filed your claim" but that is not necessarily true. For Title II benefits, If you are found to be disabled, you might be paid as far back as one year prior to the date of application. How far back it may go is dependent on when your disability onset date is set. The onset date will be decided by DDS or by the ALJ if you go to the hearing level. For Title XVI the benefits can only go back to the date of application as long as the onset date is established on or before the application date.

As far as the "6 months" go, for Title II benefits, there is a five full month waiting period from the disability onset date which is why benefits are possibly payable as far back as one year prior to application, as long as the claimant can establish an onset date of at least 17 full months prior to application.