What do you think my chances are? - Disabilities Message Board

TheMamaLisa · 05-22-2006, 08:50 PM

I am a 26 year old female. I have had issues holding employment due to depression and mood instability. I have worked but I have lost pretty much every job due to not being able to come in b/c I am crying or too emotional. I also have been morbidly obese for almost 6 years now. Because of my weight I have had chronic back pain resulting in a lumbar laminectomy last year. I have sever degenerative disk disease and have problems with severe pain and walking daily. I recently found out that my neck pain is due to spinal stenosis with my spinal cord being compromised and will need surgery in the next few months. I also have severe sleep apnea that is treated with cpap but I am still tired and out of it. I was given a diagnosis of idiopathic hypersomnia and fall asleep on average in 5.28 minutes. I have tried Adderall, Ritalin and now Provigil and none of those can keep me awake. The Provigil has somewhat helped but I still get uncontrollable sleep attacks in the afternoon. I have fallen asleep while driving and even on the phone with customer when I was working. It seems like everytime I try and work i lose my job due to my combination of problems. i applied for SS 2 days ago but seeing everybodys problems getting it I was wondering what my chances are of being approved the 1st time? I dont think I have the energy to fight if I need to. Thanks for your help

Kissa · 05-23-2006, 06:28 AM

Historically speaking most individuals get denied the first time. The key is to not give up and to find a good SS lawyer to assist you with the process and have good medical documentation. You probably have about a good of a chance as anyone else.

I know of a person who met the requirements with 4 seperate disabilities that SS acknowledged but was denied twice and was ready to go in front of the judge when their case was audited (they audit 1 in 5 so I've been told), during that audit they were approved and the comment was made they should have been approved the first time and not denied.

countrykid · 05-23-2006, 08:02 AM

Just wanted to give you alittle hope in getting approved on your first application.
I was lucky and approved immediately. I had massive amounts of doctors reports and tests. I know of others that have dibilatating conditions and they have also been approved. But like you have read on this board many are disapproved on their first try even with loads of medical history.
Don't give up the fight even you are denied on the first application as Kissa mentioned it is to yur advantage to find a lawyer that handles only SS disablity cases.
My husband had to obtain a lawyer because he didn't have enough medical documentation. His condition was not over a long period of time ....it was a sudden onset (under 4 years from onset till time of filling) and one that the reviewer felt he is still able to do some type of work. Yea right.. poor man can't hardly walk or sleep not to mention some other pleasures of life. He has Diabetic Neuropathy.
So you see just in one family one can be approved and another denied.
You should hear in about 2 weeks from SS for things you will have to provide for them. Make sure you keep on top of your doctors to submitt all the items that SS requests ASAP. Their delay can cause your case to be delayed or denied.

TheMamaLisa · 05-23-2006, 09:18 AM

I am thinking my documentation should be plenty i hope. I have 2 very thick charts and will be starting on 3rd soon. It seems like I live at the Dr, lol. I am at a Dr about 2 times a week average. The thing is my Dr never told me I am disabled I am going off the fact I cant hold a job from missing way too much work and pain mental issues ect. I think when I tell them i applied for SS they will back me up. Is there somthing I should do to have them put in my record i am disabled. I read other posts and read that they do their own determination and dont necessarily go by what the Dr says? Thanks everyone for your help!

countrykid · 05-23-2006, 05:49 PM

I would let your doctors know that you have filed for SSDI. That way they will record all your medical stats on the record. I had a family doctor once that because he treated me for so many years and knew my history he did not always document my problems. He just would put in his chart "Discussed and reviewed symptoms. Because he didn't have everything documented when he had to go for a deposition he spent 8 hours there.