LTD finally approved but.... - Disabilities Message Board

mimgregg · 02-05-2007, 07:38 PM

I finally got a call today that they are going to approve me for LTD and pay me my back pay and start payments for a total of 2 years (minus what I am supposed to be getting from SC retirement system but haven't yet).
My biggest beef with this is they say that after 5 doctors approving me disabled due to multiple concussions and the most recent closed head tbi the insurance company will only approve for depression even with all the medical evidence so they only have to pay for 2 years and not til I am 65.
I am having to apply for a hearing b/c SSD says although I cannot do the same job (teach), there are several jobs in the nation I could do.
Huh???? This sucks, but finally some type of income since 10/05. The insurance co did say if I could just give them more evidence to prove that my short term memory problems and cognitive issues and neuro issues are actually organically involved and not mental depression they would eventually reconsider.
HOW do you prove this???? What else could they possibly need? Ugh, ok I am finally done venting. Maybe someone out there has been there and done that and can give me some feedback. Thanks ya'll! From COLD SC....
Mim Gregg

tweiler · 02-05-2007, 08:31 PM

I'm not real familiar with this and my memories are only very vague ones but here goes...

When I was about 3 the drs thought I was having seizures because I would "zone" out so deep that you could pick me up and move me around and I never moved or felt anything. So I was sent down to Charleston University for a brain scan (around 1975). That's when they determined I had ADHD because even asleep (sedated) my brain activity was over 4X normal rate for 3 yr old. However, it did show that there was nothing wrong that might explain my "spells". I have never had an MRI done and to be honest, since my "spells" stopped when I was around about 10, I see no need to find out what was happening.

An MRI might show actual physical damage to your brain and one of those scans where they hook up the electrodes should show that your brain is not functioning correctly. When I was a kid, my parents explained it to me that my wiring "brain" was not connected right and that was why I had some of the issues I grew up, such as insomnia.

I don't know what kind sof tests have been done but an MRI and/or scan shoudl be able to show it is a physical defect, not depression.

mimgregg · 02-06-2007, 10:27 AM

I have had an MRI of brain and neck. The brain showed "normal" but it was done without contrast and 8 weeks after last injury. Often times damage of shearing in the brain does not show up even with contrast, so I will be getting one with contrast as soon as I get back on insurance at least to see if I have MS. My eeg tests are abnormal, my neuropsych testing showed loss of 30 IQ points, impaired cognitive function and short term memory dysfunction. I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea during this time. I also have spaces in my neck vertebrae as well as degenerative disc disease and had a disc repair at L4L5 where they had to remove part of my vertebrae and let scar tissue build up to replace it. (That was in 2001 though). I have Graves disease that was "cured" w/ 2 rounds of radiation therapy that now leaves me on meds for life that cannot ever seem to quite be managed. Since my last accident in 2005 I have been diagnosed with severe panic/anxiety, severe depression (was mildly depressed before, with occassional panic/anxiety), inability to retain reading, had to learn to read again even though I can't remember what I read. Some loss of long term memory, amnesia of actual accident and the 2 months after that, I have carpal tunnel in both arms now, fibromyalgia but possibly MS b/c neuro never finished testing, chronic pain in head and neck, and severe neurofatigue. All this was shown/documented but we left out the fibro on paperwork as most insurance companies ignore it and then say that is a phantom problem and will not even look at your chart after reading that. I am what is considered a "high functioning" traumatic brain injured b/c I started off extremely intelligent and highly active working 3 jobs, multi tasking, taking care of a child as a single parent, running my own online business, and doing real estate on the side. I am now unable to do any of this except take care of my son with the help of my roommate and my fiancee. I keep getting told by others that b/c I am 37 it freaks out the insurance companies to think they will have to pay for so long as well as SSD. Personally, I could care less. I need help, and b/c I had 2 houses left after I sold everything I could to survive since the accident I still do not qualify for even food stamps. I have been living on home equity and credit and trying to sell my other house. Any way, thanks for replying. I know somehow it will work out, just wish it would do it sooner than later.
Mim Gregg

tampatar · 02-06-2007, 01:38 PM

Everyone tells me that having too much education is a problem - has having teaching credentials caused you problems Grins, Reva

mimgregg · 02-06-2007, 03:27 PM

Actually yes, because I have a masters in technology and almost enough hours for a doctorate. All that is great, but I can't teach anymore and if I had to take a class I would fail b/c I can't remember much....geez. The smarter you start off, the harder it is to get. Even with my 30 pt. IQ loss I am still "functional" even though I cannot balance a check book, pay bills on time, write out checks correctly most of the time or even remember to eat and take meds without supervision. ON top of all that I get the "gee, you look great!". Well of course I do, it is my brain that was damaged, not my face. Of course when I can't walk straight or get out of the bed no one sees me but close friends and family so they know and understand. But to the outside world b/c I look normal and can "fake" normal for 5 minutes at time I must be ok. I really wish we could let others walk in our shoes for just an hour. Let them feel the constant pain, spasms, loss of what you are talking about, hunger when you don't eat and you can't recognize it as hunger, confusion if you take double meds or don't take your meds b/c no one left you instructions in your life handbook I have made. I hope I get a hearing with SSD late in the afternoon. By then my brain is cooked and I talk in backwards sentences and name things totally wrong and start talking for no reason to whomever. Of course then they will just think I am a loon. Who cares, so long as approval looms on the horizon!!!!!!!! I wish I was smart now, I feel like an idiot unable to remember to do the basics in life most of the time. My son reminds me constantly that I am not stupid, just random and slower now.