Can I qualify for SSD - Disabilities Message Board

gege · 04-30-2003, 07:03 AM

I've been out of work since the middle of 2000 due to several surgeries. The last two were done on my lower back L5S1. The surgeon put in plates,screws + cage. My body rejected the hardware and was removed only 5 months after the first surgery. I'm in a hard shell front and back brace. I will not be able to walk or sit for long periods of time. I'm now 50 yrs old and have worked since I was 16 yrs old. Can someone help me on this.
thanks, gege

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franjo · 05-01-2003, 08:21 PM

Hi Gege,

Contact your local SS office and get the ball rolling now. And expect to be turned down 2-3 times just as a matter of course. But don't let that discourage you...keep appealing. I appealed, I think, three times, then hired an attorney who specializes in SS cases. He gets a percentage of the final award, but if you can't get it done alone, it's well worth it.

File as soon as you can, because once they make a determination for benefits, you'll receive retroactive payments from the first day you filed. If I remember right, the entire process took me 6-8 months.

They'll require that you be examined by one of their doctors, and I think they'll want a report from your GP stating that you can't work.

At my hearing there was a representative there from Indiana's Vocational Rehabilitation Services who stated that I could not find gainful employment in a 50 mile radius, considering my limitations.

When you see their doctors, make sure you bring all the medical information, reports, and film that you can to support your case.

I wish you well,

Teri

gege · 05-02-2003, 09:51 AM

thanks Teri, I ended up at the ER yesterday with pain in my left hip that I could not control. I think I am more likely to deserve SS than some who have been drawing just to keep from working. I thank you again for your reply and interest.
gege

franjo · 05-02-2003, 12:05 PM

Gege,

I'm sorry to hear about the pain you're in. I hope you were able to get some relief. That is no way to live.

I know what you mean about how some people can qualify for SSD and some can't. A friend of mine suffers from post-polio syndrome and can't draw, yet another friend of mine receives SSD for an ailment that seems, at least to me, minor compared to PPS.

But you'll never know until you try, right? I hope you're able to get a favorable decision. Hang tough!!

God Bless,

Teri

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Spina-bifida occulta; Congenital Scoliosis (dextrorotatory and 'S' curve, 42 and 57 degrees); Meningomyelocele (split cord @ L1); Diastematomyelia (re-sectioned at L2-3); tethered cord @ S-3; various developmental abnormalities of the spine.

Surgeries include, but not limited to:
Lumbar fusion-1968
Fusion with Herrington Rod instrumentation-1970
Femoral osteotomy-1971
Tethered cord release-1987
Rod removal-1987
Chiari-type pelvic osteotomy-1988
Trochanteric osteotomy-1989

ds4832 · 05-04-2003, 10:58 PM

it sounds like you should have no problem receiving disability...when you go and apply the SS office will contact your dr and get all necessary information about you..from there they (SS) will make their decision..sometimes they will send you to their dr's for a second opinion..should you get to this stage of the process make sure you keep that appt, otherwise you will be turned down automatically.