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Disability? Anyone have experience with this?

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Posted 3/30/2013 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am a 60 yr old female.  I am currently working full time but cannot continue like this. I miss a lot of work because, frankly, there are days I cannot make myself get out of bed. Thus I am far behind at work which causes additional stress and anxiety which I cannot handle. I can't handle the stress of the traffic or any type of 'rushing'.

I don't think you need too many details in order to advise but:

My spine has collapsed, yet the Dr I saw in 2011 stated I did not need disability. It continues to decline and I'm becoming deformed. Last xrays showed 30 degree curve coming out of neck, then 75 degree thoracic curve, follwed by rotoscoliosis (spine is twisted) and 82 degree lumbar curve. I don't know how to post the photo of xray or I would. Those who have seen it have said they would think it would be easy to qualify, it looks so grotesque. The pain in increasing and is extreme.

Lyme and whatever else all infections I have -- I am chronically ill and fatigue is hardly bearable -- has interfered w/ a 'normal' life or any activity outside of work. Total body pain and inflammation about 75% of the time.

In treatment for depression/anxiety (all that these things cause) for over 10 yrs, unrelenting.

When you apply for DA, do you just stop working and apply?  Does anyone know about how DA insurance works? I have that thru work. I do not understand all the language in my policy.  Do I just go to my HR and say I cannot work any longer and get his help applying?

I will see new spine Dr April 18 simply for an evaluation, as 3 past Drs have said there is nothing they can do. Do I need his eval before applying/ stopping work or will I just need it to submit when requested?

Anyone, please advise, as I am preparing to stop working and move to NC to be w/ my elderly father so he won't be alone and he and family will also help me.

Is there any way to upload a photo or must it be from online?

Posted 3/30/2013 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi +Lyme,

I just talked to my best friend who is 61 and is now receiving Disability due to her back problems.  She said that you should find a doctor who will write a letter stating that you are disabled and can no longer work.  

Make a copy of that letter and give the original letter to H.R. so they have it on file.   Disability Benefits are retroactive which is another good reason to give a letter from a doctor to H.R. 

That is the first step.  

You may want to read this:

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.pdf

My best friend was turned down for Disability the first time (she did it herself as a person really does not need an attorney).   She said everyone gets turned down the first time they apply (whether you apply yourself or use an attorney).

So it's really important that you find a doctor who will look at your x-ray and write a letter for you stating that you are disabled, etc.

Just your spine alone should qualify you for long-term disability benefits. 

I hope this helps,

Denise

Posted 3/31/2013 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Deja.  This is very encouraging. 
Posted 3/31/2013 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
You are welcome +Lyme. 

I would not say anything to H.R. until you have a letter from a doctor.  I believe H.R. can not fire you if you have a letter stating that the doctor feels you are disabled.  Also, my best friend told me that perhaps you can get a second letter from the therapist you are seeing for the anxiety/depression...  It all ties in and the more letters you have, the better. 

If you have been to the E.R. and have records of those visits, that would also help.  The more medical proof you can provide the better.  I think it's harder to get Disability due to lyme but I could be wrong.  Your back is a given and much easier for SSD to decide and grant you the benefits.

There is also the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) where you do not work for 12 weeks due to illness but if you apply for that, you will not get paid but you will continue receiving your medical benefits.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/

Denise

Posted 4/3/2013 8:37 AM (GMT 0)
Go to ssdfacts.com, it has a wealth of information regarding disability, I won my case after to years, email me and I will be more than happy to discuss with you.
Posted 4/3/2013 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Also see if you company has short term disability first, it can take a long time for disability to kick it. My story is a little different , my company fired me the day I applied for the disability, so I am collecting unemployment while the disability is being fought.

I am 37, never in my life did I think I would get this sick. You can't tell unemployment you are applying for disability, they will cut you off.

Best of luck to you.

justme
Posted 4/3/2013 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Here's a template you can use and some info that may be of help to you:

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/lyme-disease-support-forums/general-support/10592060-sample-narrative-functional-capacity-report-for-filing-for-disability

Posted 4/4/2013 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Gosh, thank you everyone for your help, suggestions and links. This will be MUCH help! goody goody, thank you@
Posted 4/4/2013 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
Ask your doctor to complete a physicical capacity residual form, one from each doctor for each illness, but try to leave lyme out of the picture if three are other conditions.
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