Disability Sucess!

That's truly great news, Caramba. Congratulations.

I've heard and read stories about how difficult (nearly impossible) it is to get approved for Disability through the Social Security Administration. I have a friend that went through about two years of legal wranglings, too, though his case was not due to Lyme. These stories discourage many of us from even trying.

Thanks for sharing your success. I can only imagine what a huge relief that must be for you.

Great news!!!

I hope this is an indication that Lyme is starting to be recognized!

Really great comments, WalkingbyFaith.

I seem to have a mental block with even starting the process. As you and many others here understand, there's already been so much apathy, denial, and disappointment in dealing with doctors and chronic illness.

Just thinking about the SSA Disability process feels overwhelming and exhausting. I'm in a steady state of low energy and don't feel like I have the mental or physical stamina to engage in a protracted battle with SSA.

Of course, the alternative (doing nothing) isn't a great solution and is also stressful.

Astroman, Girlie yes, I am in Texas not Lyme territory as far as local doctors go. Judge was in Houston so I was surprised he could wrap all my symptoms and was ok understanding it stemmed from Lyme.

At the end of the day, even if Lyme is not fully in the official listed diagnostic, if you can demonstrate that a combinations of symptoms are severe enough to keep you from working or attending work regularly you can get disability. in a vocational expert report I paid to have done looked at my record and stated that "Patient would have frequent doctor visits and miss work often, that no employer would accept".

@the dude abides, it's not a huge battle. Hardest part was filling like a 8 page function report (SSA-3373)
I missed the deadline the first time around because I couldn't get started on it.

Process in a nutshell:

- Apply: wait, wait, submit function report, get denied,
- Request reconsideration: wait wait wait, get denied, wait wait
- Request hearing wait wait some more, wait wait wait (no hearing being schedule yet)
<write your senator> (this moved things up!)
- Hearing Scheduled
- Hearing: Approved

Post Edited (Caramba) : 2/14/2023 11:53:51 AM (GMT-8)

Caramba said...
@the dude abides, it's not a huge battle. Hardest part was filling like a 8 page function report (SSA-3373) I missed the deadline the first time around because I couldn't get started on it.

Process in a nutshell:

- Apply: wait, wait, submit function report, get denied,
- Request reconsideration: wait wait wait, get denied, wait wait
- Request hearing wait wait some more, wait wait wait (no hearing being schedule yet)
<write your senator> (this moved things up!)
- Hearing Scheduled
- Hearing: Approved

So, there was some waiting involved?!?

Kidding aside, I appreciate you sharing that helpful summary. I realize that came out of a lot of hard-won knowledge. I just took a quick look at that SSA-3373 form...that looks stressful. I like where they ask a question that would require a complex answer and then give the person one line to answer. Hopefully, they're okay with 0.001 font.

Currently, I'm getting my healthcare (that's "health" and "care") through the VA and I'm not having the best experience. It seems unlikely that would be willing to support me in such an endeavor.

Unfortunately, I've not kept track of medical records or even which doctor I saw or when or where it occurred. I've lived in a dozen states over the past few decades (including the Great State of Texas) and I have stuff scattered all over. One specialist I did recall has since retired and closed his practice. Thus, no records to recover.

If only I'd known I would need those one day.

A few years ago, I remember meeting a nurse that was a patient advocate that would help people organize their medical records and would go to appointments with them and take notes and speak all the medical jive with the doctor and be a liaison and patient advocate. I think I need someone like that to help me. I have very little in my tank.

So, how the illness is labeled makes a difference, as does medical documentation and imaging. How much do you think comes down to the particular judge who makes the final decision? To me, that would seem like a real wildcard. A person might be approved by one judge but denied by another.

Anyway, thanks for your comments and sharing the "How to Get On" website.

Best always,
Dude

Caramba said...
I know this comes up from time to time. It's hard to get disability for Lyme.

I finally got approved for social security disability after two years of denials. I've also been approved for private LTD for two years, also a constant battle.

1. Don't give up. Many people never appeal
2. about 50% of cases are approved the third time (ALJ hearing)
3. lawyer up for social security. no out of pocket costs
4. Document everything. anything you do/gather for LTD helps with SSA.
5. It's Key to get a doctor willing to support filling out forms!

In my case we barely mentioned lyme. One of my docs goes the "chronic fatigue, EBV" route since I have tested positive for that and Fatigue is one of my main symptom. my other Doc is on the cognitive decline side, mold/lyme.

my hearing lasted less than 5 minutes and was approved because of my age (over 55) and profession (skilled) so I was limited to light work and their table automatically said was disabled. something to do with my skills not being transferable.

The Judge interestingly noticed I had lyme and said something to the effect of "oh, so this is all stemming from lyme?" yup. 'OK approved.' he didn't even call in my two doctors who were ready to testify.

I highly recommend a great site with useful tips and sample doctor letters:

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/

I hope this helps others, PM if you have specific questions.

Ha! This is must be by luck I just came across this post. I was just denied the 1st time applying as of Feb 14. Despite my many years of mental health struggles which are worse than the physical symptoms at times. I have an attorney now. My sister was denied twice and my son the first time as well. So much harder to get these days, not like back then. Now they want an arm and leg to get ssi .