I've seen some posts re: SS Disability and just wanted to offer up some info based on my personal experience. I'd had multiple areas of pain for 2 decades, and FINALLY got the diagnosis of fibromyalgia a few years ago. I do have other problems, too...among them, degenerative disk disease, arthritis and scoliosis. I finally had to give up working because of pain, so I filed for SS disability. I was denied twice then asked for the hearing. I hired a lawyer who agreed to represent me for 25% of the settlement...but unbeknownst to me, he closed his practice without telling me, or any of his other 200+ disability claimant clientele. I didn't know until I was told by S.S. what happened...and I was just a few weeks away from the hearing! There wasn't time to hire someone else, nor did I want to go thru the hassle again...once burned...and all that. This kind lady told me I could just as easily represent myself, for as she put it, "Who knows better than you what you go thru, so who better than you can convey this??" But I was terrified to speak to the judge, so, I decided to basically write a letter to the judge which I mailed to his office prior to the hearing (I was told I could do this) I outlined everything I went thru, how I had tried to keep working, but I just could no longer due to pain. I also had a copy of my ENTIRE file sent to me, BTW (yes, they will do this) which contained my medical file of personal Doctors, also, the Doctors S.S. sent me to, as well as all notes by case managers at S.S. I encourage EVERYONE to get a copy of this file, as mine contained info that was incorrect, misstated, glossed over, you name it...by either their employees or their Doctors they sent me to. It became clear to me that these people will say and do anything to prevent you from getting S.S. SO, in my letter I disputed things that were said, as well...and the list was lengthy!
When I saw the judge there was little I had to say - it was all detailed in my letter. I need to also point out that fibromyalgia is fast becoming a recognized reason to grant disability. However, and as the judge told me, there are still some judges wo don't recognize it as disabling, but he did, and he ultimately did approve me for disability.
One last thought - on the web site for S.S> disability, there is an area that details ALL health problems that are considered disabling. I haven't been on this site recently, so I don't know if fibromyalgia is listed yet...but there is a section that discusses multiple afflictions and pains as disabling. In other words, maybe arthritis isn't, by itself, disabling, nor any of the other things I have wrong with me, by themselves...but all total, it makes for a general disability.
So, I offer this info as encouragement for anyone who absolutely can no longer work, who thinks they MUST have a lawyer to represent them, and to prove that multiple areas of pain ARE disabling. Good luck to anyone who is currently going thru what I have.
Your story gives me some hope when I feel like I just keep getting kicked when down.
As a former hairdresser&office assistant, I have been trying for SSD for 2 yrs. I am going to be before a judge soon, still no date. I think my age is what works against me the most (32) but as you said its not necessarily one thing that makes me unable to work but a bunch, for me its FM, c3-4-5 cervical neck instability and pain for 15 years, SI joint dysfunction, carpal tunnel, bursitis, tendonitis, migraines, anxiety, pmdd, ibs, etc.
I do have a lawyer who seems to know whats up but I am still terrified about going to court (Im currently pregnant and scared THAT will work against me too, +age) I have been reviewing my records. My work was what made the difference for us.
I struggle to lift a jug of milk and my last denial made me cry for a hr. saying i can work with minor adjustments. I have to have my husband wash/dry my hair for crying out loud. My kids have someone else to cut their hair even though that was what I loved doing.
I heard SSD is undergoing a major overhaul and hope they start to get it together and not just deny for the sake of saying they did the paperwork.
Thanx again for sharing your story. Please take care and god bless.
I think it was your post that I read before that prompted me to tell my story. I figured there must be others who have tried to navigate thru the horrendous nightmare of filing for disability. I fought for 2 1/2 years an it was an unbelievable stress...and GAD is also one of my disabilities! S.S. never fails to make one feel like a liar and/or a wimp, yet THEY were the ones who actually lied, their Drs. they sent me to, in particular. Did you ever have to do that? This one Dr. had me do "range of motion" tests - he either FORCED me into some of the positions, or worse, on the form he stated I could do various things that he never even had me do, such as crawl, kneel, and a few other things I've since forgotten. I would never have known about these things had I not seen my entire file, which is why I recommended that everyone view their file for inaccuracies.
Clearly you have the laundry list of problems and pain that I have, so I sincerely believe you have an excellent chance. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers...and your lawyer, too!! One more thing...BELIEVE in yourself, and your disabilities, that you are right and S.S. is wrong. I truly believe that attitude is VERY important, especially when before the judge. I don't know if he will ask you anything, even tho you have a lawyer. But I believe I came across as confident & certain that my disabilities prevented me from working, despite what had been said in my file. Because, if you don't believe in yourself, who will? Take care of yourself!
Thanx again for sharing. People like you are what are giving me some hope.
I went to one of their so called independent medical docs too and when my 2nd denial came back, his report was one that said I wasnt disabled. Its hard enough for me to admit it nevermind pretty much being told I' nuts for thinking I am and I can work. I dont know what more I can tell them except hope that this judge will understand finally. If I cant do my own hair how can I work doing others all day or sit in an office, typing and answering phones, etc. ? This is one crazy redtape driven system!!
You take care too sweetie. I'll keep you updated.
Let me tell you something - it's not only crazy & redtape-driven, I think it's also largely corrupt...and, boy, would I love to tell them what I think. Yes, their so-called "independent" Doctors are on S.S. payroll...so exactly how unbiased and....oh, what's the word...(fibro-fog!!) well, "impartial" will do..are they going to be? They initially sent me to 3 of *their* Doctors...one was for the depression/anxiety, yet, if he tested me for these things, it sure didn't seem like it. I was asked questions that seemed more as tho he were testing my intelligence, and, I sat there & played with puzzles...& then had the nerve to put in his report that my depression & anxiety were minor, or words to that effect, & pronounced me capable of working a full-time job. I still laugh at that one. The other Dr. I told you about is the one who contorted me himself, didn't have me do many of the ranges of motion on the chart, then said I did them fine??? The other one more or less gave me a physical...but he spent more time looking in my mouth, nose, ears and a bunch of other things that had nothing to do with my problems...& he, too, said I could work??? The only *true* & accurate tests I had were several x-rays of my entire spine, which proved everything I said I had...& my spine is a trainwreck...and they still said I could work. So, I say loud and clear...corrupt. They don't WANT you to be disabled - they want to believe you can work. I heard that almost everyone gets denied the first 2 times, and that the judge is really your best bet, but even he is an "administrative law judge", a fancy title meaning...he, too, is on their payroll. I honestly never thought I'd have a chance until it got as far as appellate court...a NORMAL judicial court where they WOULD be impartial. So I have to say I was surprised he eventually granted the disability...and I say eventually, because before he decided, he had me go to 3 other Doctors! One of which was, apparently, someone they don't often use. Why? Because this nice lady
who I got to know at S.S. (the one who intially called to tell me my lawyer had absconded, and who also copied & sent me my file) told me that he's known for being more in favor of the disabled person, so they don't use him that much!! I can't remember exactly how she put it, but then I could tell by her manner that she regretted telling me that much. So you see? Corrupt! I am soooo hoping you have an excellent lawyer, and if you want to mention these things to him, please feel free!
Anyway, my thoughts definitely mirrored yours - for a while they even had ME believing I must be wrong, and doubting myself. That changed once I got my file! And it was also difficult for me to admit defeat, that I couldn't work anymore...and then for them to insist I could, it was very frustrating, for sure. There was so much more that I went thru during this 2 1/2 year process..so if you ever have ?s, I'm a post away! Take care!
My story/info re: SS Disability 
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