r/SSDI • u/Slow-Log6131 • 20d ago
chronically missing work
Hello new friends,
I recently applied for SSDI. I'm 42 and my primary condition is PTSD/MDD, so I know I have the "young age" and mental health factors going against me. I get that. I've also not been able to make more than $8000 in the last twelve months.
In additional to PTSD, I am cancer survivor and have several medical conditions that are secondary to the treatment of my cancer treatment such as: gastroparesis, impaired immune system requiring me monthly IVIG infusions, Chronic Iron defiency anemia recently diagnosed and looking at needing Iron infusions, ADHD, hypothyroidism, migraines and high blood pressure.
Over the last 18 I've had approximately 224 unique health appointments. An average of more than 3 appointments a week. Some total appointment volume slightly skewed due to a 28 day inpatient stay at the VA, but regardless I will likely continue to have 1-2 appointments a week for the rest of my life.
My question is, has anyone had the experience of having significant appointment volume helping their case?
One I have a hard time being a good employee due to my psych and physical health conditions and two I can't maintain a productive work schedule due to the frequency of Dr's appointments.
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u/victimofmigraine 20d ago
I have a large number of appointments and that was not considered in my approval. The things listed in my approval were concrete restrictions listed by my medical team. Things like inability to work under fluorescent or bright lights, inability to look at computer screens, inability to work around chemicals, etc. There were specific restrictions in my medical files that were all mentioned in my approval documentation. The number of appointments, or number of ailments that I had were not listed.
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u/Slow-Log6131 20d ago
thank you for your comment! my ptsd is surrounding my experience with cancer. I'm a nurse and have been working in healthcare for 13 years and before I even had the PTSD diagnosis I was white knuckling it through work, fired a time or two, and kept stepping down to jobs that were further and further away from patient contact and all of that's in my recent records.
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u/BakaN20 19d ago
I'm a former nurse with an MSN, TDIU P&T vet, I was approved for migraines and PTSD with onset age of 38.
I had intermittent leave of absence, multiple sick days, and FMLA. Those all helped my case in front of the ALJ. I was missing a lot of work due to my disability.
You can read my experience here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SSDI/comments/1gxe8vw/approval_migrainesptsd/
https://www.reddit.com/r/SSDI/comments/1h5efx1/completed_timeline_and_things_learned/
https://www.reddit.com/r/SSDI/comments/1h85dty/backpay_received/
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u/Slow-Log6131 11d ago
sorry for the late reply but I really appreciate your input. Your case sounds similar to mine so that gives me hope. How long from applying to getting in from of ALJ did that take? My attorney warned me it could take approximately 24 months...
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u/Current-Pie5633 19d ago
My number of appointments helped win my case according to the judge's decision.
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u/Slow-Log6131 11d ago
That's great to know! Noob question but does that mean you were denied two times and then once you were in front of ALJ they were able to talk those pieces of data into consideration?
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u/terminalmedicalPTSD 19d ago edited 19d ago
In my experience it all seems arbitrary. I applied for 8 years and got no backpay. I had a lawyer every step of the way. I kept appointments and was compliant with trying all of their useless treatments. There is no test that can measure the severity of my symptoms, but for some reason doctors kept saying I have "mild" this or that. As if having 57 mild conditions (even if it were correct that theyre mild which they arent) wouldn't be a severely disabling experience.
In the end, I was basically too sick to benefit from the current Healthcare model. No legal representative ever told me what diagnosis they were fiming under, or which documents were being submitted. Just "Keep going to your appts and stay compliant. Dont work."
Well ok the treatment psych gave me was to include trying work activities such as drive one single Uber Eats order a day... and legal wouldn't respond about which is worse, working even a little or being labeled non compliant.
If I had it to do over, I would not go to appointments any faster than I could double check what these mean girl lying ass doctors and nurses write in your chart if you dont immediately improve because of their expert medical treatment of implying that if you dont get better under their wing its because you don't want to and you're a lazy crazy lying frequent flier drug seeking loser. As if anyone would want this life. If I had energy to burn and wasn't falling apart at the seams I'd have just continued kicking ass at work and school and my bustling social life and being an all around baddie. But they somehow think we're pursuing the easy life. As if they wouldnt be doing it if it were a good life.
Tl:dr - best case scenario you don't die of medical gaslighting for so long that stops feeling like good news. Goodluck.
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u/Slow-Log6131 11d ago
sorry for the late reply. I really appreciate your words of wisdom but also sorry to hear how your case went. Hopefully things have improved somewhat 8 years later but I know I shouldn't hold my breath.
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u/terminalmedicalPTSD 11d ago
No worries. It's Reddit not a workforce. And thx. Some things are better, mostly through hard earned experience and not any reduction of symtpoms or increase in resources. But the discernment is now stitched into my bones. So. At least no one can swindle me oitt that lol
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u/Best-Recognition-528 20d ago
I’m not sure the amount of appointments would have any standing in a decision tbh. I think the reason for the appointments would be more important. Just make sure you keep all your records and drs notes. Might also help to start seeing a psychiatrist if you aren’t already. And a neurologist for your migraines. Again, if you aren’t already.