Sick. For 8 months. Muscle Issues. Social Security. (MRI, back pain, depression)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have been sick for 8 months. I have been to over 15 doctors. No one knows what's wrong with me.
At first it was thought that the medication I was given for pre-diabetes. Then 3 doctors told me it was depression from my job. Then a chiropractor told me it's because my neck is crooked. Now I am going to a hospital this week for a pet ct scan.
Issues: Pain in my left arm. Cannot lift it over my head. Back pain. Can't sit or stand long in 1 position. Cannot speak, walk or write correctly. This has gotten progressively worse weekly since May 2014. I have not been to work since then.
Someone asked me if I've tried muscle relaxers. I haven't.
Has anyone had these issues? What did you do about them? Did you apply for Social Security Disability?
Yes, I have tested for everything. No issues that are mental or otherwise. MRI is normal. Everything else is normal as well.
You didn't mention if you were able to work or not. If you can't do your normal job and you have been paying for disability ins along with your SSI you can apply for disability insurance. It will be up to the ins co doctors to determine if you are disabled.
I had no problem collecting 10 years ago in NJ but I don't know if things have changed there. Give SS a call and make an appointment.
Nobody here can tell you if you are eligible or for how much you might receive in compensation.
The first thing you need to do is apply for SSDI. http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dapply.htm
You can do it on line, in person or on the phone. Provide SSA with every Doctor, Therapist anyone who has evaluated your conditions. Give SSA their addresses, phones #'s. Include all of the tests, procedures you have had in the past 8 months. Also mention any other condition for which you have been or are being treated and who has/is treating you (that would include anything that you might not consider disabling).
SSA will send you a big packet of forms asking about past employment, how your condition(s) interfere with your Activities of Daily Living (ADL's). If you require assistance filling them out, make sure to mention that. If you are unable to fill them out yourself make an appointment at the Social Security Office, they will help you do that. Just make sure you take ALL of your info with you.
Once all that is done, you just have to wait for SSA to contact all of your treatment providers and verify your employment.
Thanks JerseyJ. The overall consensus has been to be patient because SSDI takes their time. Thanks for the encouragement!
That was good advice from jerseyj but IMO and my own experience says an in person interview will get you better and faster results. But that was over 10 years ago before everything went electronic so maybe person to person no longer is an option.
That was good advice from jerseyj but IMO and my own experience says an in person interview will get you better and faster results. But that was over 10 years ago before everything went electronic so maybe person to person no longer is an option.
Regardless, good luck
An in person application is still available. It will only expedite the process by avoiding the mail time. The individual who would take her application (in person or by phone) is not the person making the decision.
SSDI does not intentionally take their time. They rely on your treatment providers to send in relevant medical/psychiatric info, hx of treatment, response to tx etc. That can take an lot of time.
The individual making the disability decision is evaluated on their case turnover time and accuracy of decision. It is in their best interest to make the fastest most accurate decision possible. All of their decisions are reviewed by medical staff.
IslandHoney, you can help by STRONGLY encouraging your treatment providers to submit your medical records n a timely manner.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.