It's what we've been dreading--UPDATE pg 3

[barkley]

I'm sorry to hear about this. I work with people with disabilities (voc rehab). The norm is for SSA to deny people 3 times before granting SSI/SSDI. Has your DH had a Functional Capacity Evaluation done? It's a series of tests to determine his stamina level. A Dr. has to write a prescription for it. It could help tremendously in getting SSDI.

this is so true! if you go on the ss website there's a link somewhere where it even shows the 'normalacy' in the way the process is structured such that it's the norm for applications to get denied multiple times before ultimatly getting approved. the key thing is-never reapply, always appeal-that way your begining date of aide is linked to your original application date, so if it takes 3 years to finaly get granted it goes retro. i saw people get tens of thousands in retro benefits (cuz when you're looking at an adult without kids-getting maybe 1600.00 per month-that can be quite a chunk of change for 36 months).

if you pursue the ss issue-you might want to see if there's anyone in your area who has patients with a similar diagnosis who have been successful in getting granted. some doctors are very saavy in knowing how to do the paperwork and providing exactly what ss would be using as their denial basis up front so it's not in question). support groups with members in receipt of ss are usualy very helpful in providing insight into what issues came up with their ss apps-so you have the info. in hand to provide from day one.

i honestly think ss should provide applicants who are applying with certain diagnosis with fact sheets that outline exactly what the minimum issues/test results they require addressed from day one. too many times i saw apps. denied only to find that the patient had taken the exact test or had the exact supporting data in their med files-but the ss app. did'nt call for them or the md to address/provide it-so the person had to appeal and provide something they could have long ago and entail another long wait

 

[rie'smom]

I'm sorry to hear about your DH. It's great though that he's jumping right in iron out the LTD details. You two have a wonderful attitude and that's the biggest battle won!

 

[KadysMom]

I hope everything works out for teh best...

 

[KTSMOM]

this is so true! if you go on the ss website there's a link somewhere where it even shows the 'normalacy' in the way the process is structured such that it's the norm for applications to get denied multiple times before ultimatly getting approved. the key thing is-never reapply, always appeal-that way your begining date of aide is linked to your original application date, so if it takes 3 years to finaly get granted it goes retro. i saw people get tens of thousands in retro benefits (cuz when you're looking at an adult without kids-getting maybe 1600.00 per month-that can be quite a chunk of change for 36 months).

The OP is right about making sure you don't file a new app each time. You don't get anywhere with filing a new claim. You have 60 days to file an appeal from the date on the decision letter, so the sooner you get in there and file an appeal the better.
Now that being said, SSD does not deny people any specific amount of times before they will approve you. They have rules and regulations they have to go by to approve a person. They also take into consideration your medical condition, your age, your education and your past jobs. All of these things combined help with decision making.
Again, if you would like to pm me about this I will be glad to give you any answers I can. I've got 13 years experience working with SSD.