Social Security Disability

I got a phone call this afternoon from Social Security office and they approved my disability..To say I'm shocked is an understatement.I applied in Oct. I was sure I was going to get a call that I was denied.They said it will take appx 60 days for me to get my first check.Im still in shock.

Jo-Ann

I will surely keep you in my thoughts and hope that you too get some good news.Keep the faith.

Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann,
Definite congrats on such a quick approval!!! You will have to tell me what you did so I can learn from your success!

PaLady-------> clapping and cheering for you!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  I got approved right away too.....now 24 months and you will have Medicare!  Have heard lots and lots of denial stories, so great to hear sometimes they get it right the 1st time.

edt

Wow. I think all of you who received it on the first try on your own should write a manual for the rest of us! No kidding!

PaLady

When I got all my doctors to send records to Medicare, I requested an d paid for a copy for myself so I would know exactly what information that Medicare would be evaluating.  That way, I knew if anything significant was missing ahead of time and could fill in the missing blanks with records from testing centers, hospitals, etc...

It's always better to know what the other side is using for basing its decision, that way you can be prepared for the detailled interview they put you through prior to approving or denying the claim.  In my case, I was having serious memory problems due to medication, so my Dad took and kept all the records and went to the interview with me.  He was able to answer questions when my memory faultered or drew a blank.  I am sure this is why I was approved on the first pass.  BE PREPARED!!!

Leigh Ann 

I wish I could say there was something that I did that made me get approved so quick.I filled out all the paper, I went to 2 Dr appts that they scheduled for me.Had to have a non-relative fill out some paper work for them and that was all I did.They called me a couple of times with a question.I wish you good luck.I am still in shock that I was approved so quickly.
Jo-Ann

Susie,
I think I've asked you somethng along these lines before, but do they want ALL medical records, or just the ones from the doctors who are saying you're disabled? My PCP's office really has little to do with this; the one PA I was seeing there periodically left, and I haven't actually seen my doctor in over a year. Just a PA but for another condition unrelated to disability. I was hoping I could just get the records from the specialists like my neurologist, neurosurgeon and a pain management specialist (the latter of which I still have to find!). PCP records would almost be distracting - just paper. Plus there are a lot of other specialists I've seen over the years but haven't seen for a long time (those doing epidurals, etc.) but again they wouldn't be certifying that I'm disabled. If (when?) I apply (I'm still collecting unemployment and I guess I'm still hoping....something will change...maybe...this is hard to make peace with) I don't want to overwhelm them with a bunch of paper they've got to sort through that doesn't seem very relevant.

And yes, I keep thinking about the unemployment thing. I just want to work again. I don't have children. My work was my life. It wasn't work - a career. A career that looks like it will never get "finished". Ah, I'm going off track here. I was really asking about records.

PaLady

PA only medical records relating to your condition. It does not matter how many times you may have seen that dr, the records will still be needed if a dr treated the condition. For people that became depressed and needed medication or counseling those records are very benecial to your claim. The same with if a person was already being treated for it, but the depression became worse after the condition, then those records need to be furnished too. Anyone applying for SSD should list depression as a medical condition if they are being treated for it due to chronic pain. PA did I answer your question for you???? Susie

Im so sorry to hear about your back surgury.My cousin just had back surgury last year and was just told that she needs another one.I know, beleive me, how frustrating it is to never feel good, and always be in pain.I hope that you will one day be able to go back to work.I have finally reached the conclusion that I will always be in some kind of pain,and Im trying to deal with it the best way I can,and its not easy, as you know.I wish you much luck on your filing for ssd.And I very much argre with Susie, the more paperwork they get the better.The specialists I go to were great with the paperwork.Although I must admit I didnt have copies of any of it.But that is a very good idea.
Again, good luck
Jo-Ann

PaLady,

I meant strictly just collecting records pertaining to your disability medical issues. Snowing Social Security with paperwork in my opinion refers to every record you can find that supports your disability issues.  That means any hospital/ER visits, specialists, primary care physicians, testing facilities, walk-in clinics (especially extra visits made out of town), etc...  You get the gyst.  Part of my disability revolved around chronic migraines, and my PCP had records for me back to 1979, when I was 14.  That's when I first was treated, even though I started getting migraines around age 8, I never got any medical treatment for them, thus no earlier records.  I'm pretty lucky to have records that far back, but I'm going to have to do the process all over again when it's time to renew my disability...not looking forward that huge task that's looming in the somewhat near future.  I had my father with me during the interview, never contacted or used a lawyer.

Leigh Ann

Just to add a note about medical records:  I finally got approved in '05, after waiting for 2 years and going through appeals.  When I got their last denial, I realized they did not have info on my rt. hip replacement...only the left one.  I had sent those medical records to my att'y...he just never bothered to forward them to SS!  When I realized what had happened, I provided SS with info and records myself.  Also, that lawyer got fired and was replaced by the one I wanted initially.  After that, it was just a matter of a few weeks when I got the call that I had been approved.

So my point is this:  Don't assume that your lawyer is getting the info to SS!!  SS Disability does say you have the right to inspect their records at any time.  If you do so, you can see what may be missing.

Yep, always learning something, PALady, especially on these forums!