Updating SS on your condition?? - Disabilities Message Board

BobiM · 05-24-2006, 05:43 PM

My son was awarded SSDI in March 2005 because of a back problem. At the time he was awarded disability he hadn't had any surgery yet. In April 2004 he had spinal surgery twice and another surgery for infection after the second spinal surgery.

On his award letter it said to update SS on any change in the case (or something like that). Should he be calling SS to tell them about the surgeries? There really hasn't been a change in his ability to perform the job he was trained for. In fact, the hardware in his back limits his range of motion more than before the surgery.

The award letter says that they expect his condition to improve and his case will be reviewed in August 2006.

countrykid · 05-25-2006, 06:49 AM

It is my understanding that you only notify SS if your condition improves and you are able to return to work.
You said his condition has not improved but has gotten worse. I would wait till your review in August. They will then ask for new medical records and review his account at that time.
If they expected an improvement than he may have to go to a functional capacity exam to determine if he is capable of some type of self sufficent employment.

feelbad · 05-30-2006, 05:53 AM

I agree with country on this one.I ahve had many surgeries with no real improvement at all,and they have actually made my condition even worse.since nothing really 'magical 'has happened(like miraculous healing??)i decided just to wait til they ask me for the whatever year follow up stuff(I have no clue when I come up for any type of actual review as they never told me)and will hand over all the many updated records then.I really dont think you have to really DO anything til he either should actually imptove dramatically with surgery or he just suddenly gets better.

the one thing i would definitely be doing thru out all of the ongoing doc appts and tests and surgeries and stuff,is keep all of his records consistantly updated so you wont have to go thru the hassle at that time.

i see five seperate specialists for a host of major medical issues and depending on just how often I am seeing a particular doc(these past six months it has been my ortho for surgerys on my knee and my pain clinic)but like every six months I get my updted records for my own files at home.this way you can also be checking them for wrong info and missing info BEFORE ssd has to round them up later.

some missinfg info in my neurosurgeons op notes I am pretty certain caused my to be denied the first go round.the part about them hitting and permanently losing the nerves that went to my legs somehow managed to be left out??but my whole case really hinged on this damage.since there was nothing stated in the op notes,well I guess it just didn't happen to me then and I am just fine with no pain or disabilities according to them,ya know what I mean?it wasn't til I actually tracked down the neurophysiatrist who actually did the monitoring of my motor and sensory functions that all off that particular stuff was actually written in HIS notes,that i sent in the next go round that I was finally awarded benefits.

you just really always habe to take a good hard read thru anything that ssd is going to be obtaining from any of your docs,and make sure they contain what they are supposed to or trust me here,it will come back to haunt you.it is just a very important step.these records(the neuros motor and sensory op notes)were a very vital part of my medical history but if i had not actually tracked these all down myself,ssd never would have been able to actually obtain them themselves,no way.so i got them and then told them where and they could verify it.ya gotta know where and what info ssd is using and obtain anything that you feel they may need but might have trouble obtaining,even with a lawyer.its pretty much up to you anyway.my lawyer didn't do any of that kind of stuff.i do hope things go well for your son soo.Good luck,Marcia