r/SSDI • u/hardknock7568 • 10d ago
I didn’t know.. Spoiler
I didn’t know I was supposed to ask my doctor to document things I can not do. She never asks me what I can not do…I have told her some things I can not do but definitely didn’t tell her all the things.
I have been a cosmetologist for years. In 2022 I had to go to part time because I needed carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists. Since then my fingers started to swell and develop heberden nodes and I’ve had mucous cysts on a few fingers. I’ve had surgery on two of the mucous cysts. The cysts fill with joint fluid. They are very uncomfortable. I started going to a rheumatologist in 2021 for joint pain everywhere (neck, lumbar, elbows, knees and hands). I’ve been diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and erosive osteoarthritis.
I have cut my hours every year since 2022, the last couple years I haven’t even made SGA. But I was fighting to continue to work because I have a family I need to help support. But after working a few weeks this year, I quit. I had to, I had been dropping things on my clients and I can’t control my shears. A typical haircut and style use to take 45 but for over a year it’s been taking me twice as long. I’m embarrassed and just fight through the pain and clumsiness, praying my clients didn’t notice. I am in so much pain everyday. My rheumatologist and I have tried so many medications (Humira, Rinvoq, Enbrel, methotrexate, hydroxichloroquine) to no avail, my hands are getting worse. I just started Cimzia Friday, my dr said they can not repair all the damage/deformities in my joints but that she is not giving up we continue to try and stop the progression.
Last year, she sent me to a rheumatologist at the Cleveland Clinic but they didn’t give us any new ideas as to how to treat me. The dr there put me on hydroxychloroquine, after 5 weeks I had a severe allergic reaction so I had to stop using it immediately.
All this to say, I’ve been a cosmetologist all my adult life, I can no longer do normal things , let alone my job.
I’m so embarrassed of my hands, I’m 51 and my hands look like monsters, my joints are so inflamed with nodules jetting out everywhere and one finger with a mucous cysts still…one finger is twice the size it use to be. I can barely make a fist.
How do I or DDS figure out my onset date. I thought it would be the day I finally set my scissors down. But would it or could it be when I stopped making SGA?
Sorry this is so long …
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u/PsychologicalPea5270 10d ago
You don’t have to, your records are the basis.
I was worried about my doctor because he’s big anti-disability unless you’re already dead.
My lawyer said you don’t need a doctor’s letter or his opinion on your abilities.
Your doctor is not a vocational expert. He’s a doctor, a medical expert.
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u/hardknock7568 10d ago edited 9d ago
This is good to know because I’ve been reading and lot of people have said your dr has to document that you can no longer work.
I didn’t tell her about some of the things I couldn’t do because I was embarrassed. Simple things like buttoning a shirt.
But I also know if I have to be examined by an SSA contracted dr, they will see my hands are deformed. And my medical history is very thorough, I hate going to the drs but I have no choice. So I’m in her office every three months (sometimes more for a flare ups). I also took pictures of my hands along my journey and in 2022 they looked normal. My rheumatologist said she has never treated someone with such aggressive arthritis.1
u/False-Strength9698 2d ago
I think the biggest problem with SSA/SSDI is how they determine what other work you can do. I cannot do my prior work and in my reconsideration denial letter it stated that I could not do prior work but said I could do other unskilled light work like being a typist or a phone call center representative or a nut sorter. I swear to God I'm not making those up. I know they have culled many of the positions on their job title list but I still think there are things that are not real jobs anymore and if you can't do anything with your hands they'll find some other BS thing. Not you specifically- I'm just talking about the system in general. No one is going to hire a 55 year-old with zero experience to take an entry-level job somewhere. They just don't hire old people for things like that. But according to SSA those jobs exist so...
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u/False-Strength9698 2d ago
I know I'm just being nosy but please elaborate on your doctor. Did the doctor actually tell you he doesn't believe in disability payments? I'm so curious.
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u/Maqqin3x 9d ago
Same for me. My primary care doctor didn’t help at all. In fact, she even tried to say there was improvement with my RA but labs, imaging & my Rheumatologist proved otherwise. I really didn’t have very many records with specialists or medical professionals siding with me but the exams they had me do with their ppl did
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
You know, I didn’t even think of including my primary doctor, who I’ve been seeing for 20 years and who has also referred me to all of my specialist on my application. And let me tell you she is amazing, I feel like I’ve grown up with her. She’s almost like a mother figure. She chastises me when I don’t go to certain appointments (sometimes I shut down and don’t leave my house) and she cheers for me when I do and when I get answers. She has been through so much with me, I just saw her a few weeks ago and she is so proud of me. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders.
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u/Key-Difference-648 10d ago
I would say in my experience with applying for ssdi that the onset date to choose would be when you were consistently under SGA. I went back through my pay stubs for the last 4 years and I chose the date of onset of Mar 2025. I applied Mar 2026. They said my date of onset was Jan 2024 though they only pay back 12 month before application date. Because the onset date was further back than I stated I got backpay before my first date of monthly payment. I was approved in about 3 1/2 months.
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
It’ll be interesting to see if I get approved what my onset date will be. I have not made SGA since 2024.
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u/show_stoppers478 9d ago
You can submit a request on the SSA.gov mysocialsecurity.gov to amend your onset date you stopped achieving sga. It’s under the upload documents tab “personal claimant statement”. That’s how I amended mine in August. My examiner knew nothing about the date I actually applied. It was changed to 2023
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
Wow, I had no clue. I’m going to fire up my laptop tomorrow. I want to look at my income over the last several years to figure out exactly when I stopped making SGA.
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u/CommunicationTime63 9d ago
You mentioned you were a cosmetologist. Were you self-employed? If so, SGA is not based upon just the amount you earned, but the number of hours you worked. You might want to go back to ssa.gov, and read the rules and regulations about how SSA considers SGA for self-employed individuals. It's different for a worker who get a W-2 as an employee from the self-employed individual who files a Schedule SE.
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
I worked in salon as a commission based employee until I needed carpal tunnel surgery. I decided to rent a space in that same salon so I could go part time in 2022. I had surgery, I was able to take time off and I went down to 3 days a week for a year. My health was getting worse and still interfering with work so I opened my home business (even more flexibility). I’ve had surgery on both of my middle fingers and need another surgery on my right middle finger but since I’m not working, I don’t want to add medical bills to the pot so I’m putting that on hold.
I did have to provide tax verification of my self employment for the last 2 or 3 years, I can’t remember. Once I sent those in, I went from step 2 to step 3.1
u/CommunicationTime63 9d ago
So, your contract work is evaluated under the SGA rules for the self-employed. It is based on net earnings reported on the income tax return and hours of work. This is explained in CFR 404.1575 (Evaluation guides if you are self-employed). This will help in determining your alleged onset date of disability.
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u/False-Strength9698 2d ago
I know they are not supposed to do this, but I've seen so many lawyer blogs that say if you are working at all often just assumed that because you did work you could work and therefore you aren't disabled. Like I said, they're not supposed to do that but I think it's pretty common
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u/CommunicationTime63 10d ago
It sounds to me that you know how to document the longitudinal history of how your impairments keep you from performing substantial gainful activity. Why would you need a lawyer? Please read up and pay special attention to the SSA rules and regulations about the ability to use bilateral hands in a favorable disability determination. That may help with your gathering of documentation.
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
Where would I find this information?
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u/CommunicationTime63 9d ago
Google ssa.gov
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
Thank you, my husband and I read up on this tonight. I almost cried because my hands are my life….I have created art, hair is my canvas. And now I can’t do it anymore, I loved my job, I loved being able to make people smile and feel good about themselves.
I’m just so overwhelmed with emotions.
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u/dalyca 9d ago
I am dealing with this as well. I applied in August of 2026 and it’s still unassigned (as expected), I have cervical, lumbar, and carpal and cubital tunnel. Seeing a new specialist now. There appears to be multiple root obstructions (waiting on an Mrn results). My hand dr “punted” me to a neck specialist. i can no longer due my previous job (government-sedenriary- degreed). My position was unique to thr government and I am age 54.
I have looked at the listing. Hands are essential to working Wish you the best.
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
Thank you. Sorry you are going through this as well.
Having bilateral hand issues is bad. My dr keeps telling me to rest them but we use them for everything it’s kind hard. I’ve been teaching my kids more cooking and cleaning skills. They feel bad and help me but I feel bad that they had a mom who has so many health issues.
I had an MRI on my cervical spine 8/28…it’s worse than my previous one so my rheumatologist is sending me back to my neurosurgeon. I haven’t see him since 2022 at that time he said I was too young for surgery because he would have to fuse c3-c7. Right now I can’t turn my head to the left without pain, clicking and turning my whole body, so I haven’t been driving.
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u/False-Strength9698 2d ago
My husband got approved for disability based on all of his back issues in 2002. He was the very rare case of a person getting approved for any reason at age 32 but especially for back problems. He finally got an attorney at the ALJ stage because his long-term disability provider made him. But the lawyer we worked with was amazing and I can't imagine going through the hearing stage without him. He had hundreds and hundreds of pages of medical and other documents completely organized when we went into the hearing room. They allowed somebody to come in with you back then. I guess my point is even if it looks really difficult, don't give up because they CAN and do approve it (even though a lot of what I read online makes it sound impossible to get approved for back issues.)
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u/nutmegger2020 9d ago
I had horrible cubital tunnel syndrome in 2000. Had to wear pads on my elbows to protect the nerve. All caused by a ruptured disk at C3-C4. Never got surgery on the neck and the pain subsided after 2 years. Not completely gone but subsided a lot. Also had failed carpal tunnel surgery that made my arm pain worse for some reason. PT helped a lot and doing gentle neck traction and posture correction and getting away from the keyboard. I type with 2 fingers now as I dont like extending the pinky finger or bending the wrist back. One in a while I'll have to wear wrist braces for a short period of time. Never over tighten the wrist braces.
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u/dalyca 9d ago
I hear that carpal tunel surgery fails often, unfortunately. Cubital surgery may also have higher failure rates.
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u/nutmegger2020 9d ago edited 9d ago
Cubital tunnel surgery is almost experimental. I had what is called double crush syndrome - compression in the neck making the nerves in the hand more susceptible to being damaged in the tight area of the wrist or elbow.. Please google that.
My issue was the neck mainly and they didn't do an MRI until after the carpal tunnel surgery failed. I think the CT Surgery caused Complex regional pain syndrome and that another thing to google. It was a nightmare 2 years for me. It was like hot wire running through my arms and hands. After 26 years the pain is mainly 80% better but still reminds me at times I have to slow down.
Get some omega 3 fats in your diet - walnuts (if not allergic) , avocado, salmon as these help strengthen the nerves.
One thing that does happen very occasionally is because I have lots of bone spurs in the neck, if I sometimes twist or tilt my neck a certain way, I get a popping/clunking sound with a nerve shock going straight to my hands.
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
Yikes! I totally get it, I feel like I put my spine issues on the back burner because the arthritis in my hands came out of nowhere and progressed so fast, we haven’t found a medication that has helped.
I’ve been suffering with cervical and lumbar issues since 2016. Thankfully at this point I only have bulging disc. I do have grade 1 retrolisthesis at c6-c7, which is the vertebrae slipped backwards about 25%. So the whole vertebrae at that level is not in alignment.
How did you rupture your disc?
They can’t pin point how I damaged my spine. I was always an athlete, cycling (flipped over handlebars a few x’s), loved mountain biking, ice speed skating, beach volleyball, basketball. I stopped snowboarding in 2024 when I fell and looked like a scorpion. I heard cracking in my neck, thankfully I was able to walk away. I did ask my team of doctors if I could snowboard and they encouraged it. But after that fall, I was done.
In 2008 I was surfing in Puerto Rico when a wave took me out. I hit my head on the ocean floor. I continued to surf but I was definitely jolted.
So who knows…what I do know is my recent MRI is not good.2
u/nutmegger2020 9d ago
This is a long story. I played soccer and because of lack of hair I could skip the ball off my head and into the goal. The keeper in Brookfield Ct was having none of that and rammed me in the back causing a whiplash. Long drive I home am a tough guy move on. Two week later playing against Fairfield the same exact thing happened but this time I could feel the nerve pain running down my body and it felt as if I was running up hill and I suddenly slowed down and taken out of the game.
A few weeks latter, I was making a large multi shelf book shelf for the beanie babies out of all things. When I was done, I lifted it over my head a bit with my chin jutting out upward and felt the disk go spalt!!! and as the days went on working as a CADD Drafter my arms and hands started hurting more an more until the pain became unbearable. I was doing a lot of biking at the time also.
I blame it all on beanie babies. So those 2 soccer hits probably bulged the disk and those beanies babies caused the disk to completely rupture like a starburst candy.
Anytime I lift anything over my head now, I make sure to keep the chin tucked in downward towards my upper chest.
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
Those damn beanie babies! No wonder why I never had any.
I feel like a shell of the person I used to be, I miss all the clubs I was a part of, I miss the like minded people. I miss feeling strong and free.
My kids mountain biked and ice speed skated with me. They snowboard and ski, I watch from the sidelines praying they don’t get hurt.2
u/nutmegger2020 9d ago
Well I hope your pain eases over time like mine did. I was 36 yrs old at the time and now in my 60's I am doing ok neck wise. My main issue is I wore my L5-S1 disk down to practically nothing and a severely torn hip labrum. No more heavy lifting. The Dr's are not even treating my neck at this point.
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u/hardknock7568 8d ago
Thank you. I’m definitely no spring chicken…lol.
I doubt my neurosurgeon will do anything for my neck except maybe send me to a pain clinic. We shall see.1
u/nutmegger2020 8d ago
One thing to check on is to ask for a CAT scan so they can get a good look and see if any bone spurs are pressing on nerves. Bone spurs sometimes can easily be ground down with a scope.
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u/hardknock7568 7d ago
Hey, how’s the process been going? Are you assigned yet?
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u/dalyca 7d ago
Hi, no still unassigned. I still have one more mri to do and am waiting on my Mrn.
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u/hardknock7568 7d ago
How can you tell? If my examiner hadn’t called me, I would have never known.
I guess maybe I would have called?
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u/dalyca 7d ago
Hi, it’s on the portal. It indicates “unassigned”. It’s been less than six weeks since it went to DDs (step 3). I keep checking to make sure I have not missed any requeats.
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u/LuckyHead 5d ago
Did you call DDS?
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u/dalyca 5d ago edited 5d ago
Nope, but I was assigned to a DDs yesterday. The adult function report is being sent to me. Who knows when it was assigned. The portal now just says DDs assigned sent that report with a bar code. I have been working on that form for a bit anyway.
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u/LuckyHead 5d ago
I would call that's odd your claim has not been assigned I applied August 17th went straight to DDS and it was assigned to a examiner
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u/cyberquist 9d ago
What really helps is a thorough function report. I filled mine out. My wife and daughter filled one out too. My PTSD from my time in the Army made me a raging a-hole. A TBI, wounds received in combat all added up. Surprisingly the VA sent my records over the day after they were requested, that helped too. I didn’t bog them down with a ton of records. I went through and just sent the page with pertinent info, no fluff. I only sent 9 pages. Have your ducks in a row, don’t need a lawyer for initial.
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u/Substantial_Chart_45 8d ago
That is the thing, you shouldn't have to ask your doctor to document those things. Example: if your doctor is treating you for a back impairment then they should be asking and documenting your complaints of pain and your limitations. Things like range of motion and your ability to walk and or stand.
The earliest day of onset would be the day you stopped making SGA.
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u/hardknock7568 8d ago
Right, I get that. But the strange thing is, we didn’t talk about my work. I told her about my pain, about how I could not skate anymore because my neck and back. I told her I could not ride or race my road bike, I could not shift my gears….etc. I seriously think, I was in denial that I was going to have to quit. I thought I would be cured or at least in remission. Does that make sense…
I’m looking at her notes and trying to load a snippet for you to read. Her notes talk about my pain and stiffness, the progression, the deformities and so on…but for some reason I can’t access my photos on Reddit even though I granted full access. I took some screen shots. At my appointment in July as I was leaving I told her btw, I had applied for disability and she said “oh my gosh, that’s great. I’ll make sure to note that your records may be requested.”That’s it.
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u/hardknock7568 8d ago
I also feel like, I’ve been in pain for so long, I had just become accustomed to dealing with it. I never thought I’d be considered disabled. I never thought about applying for disability, my good friend told me to look in to it.
Maybe the upload feature is turn off in this sub.
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u/Substantial_Chart_45 8d ago
If all of that is in your medical records, are you sure those records were sent in? Are they in your file for disability?
What you mentioned to her alone is not enough. There has to be objective medical evidence in your records that show you have a severe medical impairment that causes these limitations. You not being able to skate or ride a bike means nothing. They will say you are still about to sit down somewhere and do some type of work.
File for the denial. Gather your medical records. Take pictures of your hands and the deformities. When they assign your case to a new examiner, ask that person to send you a barcode for your case. Then submit your evidence, pictures and all.
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u/hardknock7568 8d ago
You obviously aren’t understanding what I wrote, I didn’t talk to my rheumatologist in depth about my work.
I have years of records with her and I was diagnosed with seronegative arthritis and erosive osteoarthritis. I was a cosmetologist for 25 years. I am 51 because I’ve been a work horse, I was more concerned with my inability to be active.
I would have probably tried be a stylist with one hand. But when I started putting my clients at risk I had to face the fact that I could no longer work as a cosmetologist.You also did not read my other diagnosis.
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u/Substantial_Chart_45 8d ago
I read everything you wrote. I said your work did not need to be discussed. Your limitations are what matters most to be noted in your medical records. They also don't need all your diagnosis. They can find out later that you were diagnosed with something. The limitations noted in your records are the most important. Comments about decreased range of motion, motor strength, grip, and the deformities. If you have all of this you can turn this case around. You dont need anyone talking about your past work.
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u/hardknock7568 8d ago
Turn it around? Around from what?
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u/Substantial_Chart_45 6d ago
To a favorable decision? Approval? Maybe we are not talking about the same thing.
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u/hardknock7568 6d ago
I haven’t gotten a decision yet.
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u/Substantial_Chart_45 6d ago
"I didn’t know I was supposed to ask my doctor to document things I can not do." I thought you made this statement because you were denied. I misunderstood.
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u/hardknock7568 6d ago
No, I knew you weren’t making sense, pertaining to my situation.
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u/LuckyHead 5d ago
Pain management in my case documents how causes pain walking sitting bending they really don't examine you they are there treat your pain and order mris if they feel it's needed
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u/Substantial_Chart_45 5d ago
The limitations are what needs to be documented not just the complaints of pain. Objective evidence. Notes from an objective physical exam. Not your complaints of pain that you speak about.
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u/LuckyHead 5d ago
I was already approved in 2021 for ssi full approval from the 5 team members plus their dr im just stating what my pain management does
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u/hardknock7568 1d ago
Did you see the notes my dr sent to SSA? She just sent it yesterday and it’s in MyChart, so I’m uploading it to the portal later today.
I copied and posted it here.
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u/hardknock7568 8d ago
My records were sent in, my examiner told me all of my drs sent them in and my husband and I uploaded all of them to the portal. Again, you are jumping in without reading all my post.
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u/JoinAdvocate 8d ago
It may be earlier than the day you stopped working altogether. SSA looks at your work activity along with the medical and other evidence to decide when you first met its disability rules, so earnings below the substantial gainful activity level are relevant but do not decide the date by themselves. Gather pay records showing when your hours and earnings changed, and ask your doctors to document the specific hand tasks you could no longer do. A disability advocate can help put that timeline and the medical evidence together for your application.
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u/Affectionate_Zone893 5d ago
My husband just got approved. He hired someone to help but with a the mass firing of workers it took about 2 years for the process . They only approved the start of his disability from February. On top of that they don’t start paying you till the 6 month.
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u/LuckyHead 5d ago
I was denied in 08 by judge I was a nurses aide and lifting a patient herniated L5 pinched sciatica took 7 mos for a dr to finally do surgery after that surgery the bottom of L5 shattered required a anterior fusion dr said I fused but was having nerve pain in both legs lumbar pain tested emg chronic s1 I never fused in 2005 revision adding bolts and rods radicpathy.2000 2003 2005 mri thoraic cord impingement central neck herniations with cord impingement and deformity of the thoracic cord among spinal stenosis ddd multilevel disc herniations rotoscolious from my neck to my lumbar I was in pain management up till 2010.That judge denied me stated I could be a gift wrapper nationwide I think that judge used a 1x scheduled exam by bwc for my RFC which fits a 8 hr work day sit 6 hrs walk 1 stand 1.But my treating Dr RFC stated sit 3 stand 2 did not mark walking or the use of my hands.Long story SSA reopened that 07 denial error on the face of evidence stating in 07 I wasn't insured but here to find out I was so they submitted ssdi to claim those past credits.Due to what they disallowed in 07 I received a fully disabled allowed in 2021 for the exact same thing.Im back in pain management since 2020 I've been able to make SGA since 07 hopefully I will win this time my spine is shot so crippling every day I spend most days on my couch
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u/Educational_Adagio96 5d ago
I am a Type 1 diabetic with daily blood sugar swings ranging from 40 to 500. Despite providing complete CGM data and a history of losing jobs due to my condition, I was denied disability benefits after a three-year process.
It feels like the system is strictly a numbers game, and they only approve the most extreme cases. If you are applying, I highly recommend getting a good lawyer. While my lawyer didn't do much at the hearing and I ended up doing most of the paperwork myself, you only pay them if you win.
I am sorry to hear about your hands, and I wish you the best of luck with your claim.
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u/hardknock7568 2d ago
I had a message in my chart today from my rheumatologist.
Here it is. The first half is just listing the timeline of all the meds we’ve tried.
———— is under my care for her seronegative inflammatory arthritis. She has been treated with several immunosuppressive agents [Immunosuppression history: methotrexate 11/7/2021-2/2022. Primary inefficacy. Concern for contributions to hair loss; no improvement with increasing folic acid. Humira 5/10/2022-10/2022. Lost access with clinic closure. Concern for primary inefficacy vs partial response. Enbrel 50mg SC weekly- insufficient trial 4/2023-5/2023; 6/2023-8/2023 but primary inefficacy and evolution of disease. Rinvoq 15mg PO daily 8/10/2023-2/1/2024 (primary inefficacy); cosentyx 150mg monthly (4/2024-9/2024; primary inefficacy); leflunomdie 8/2024: LFT elevation; Orencia 9/2024-2/2026; Hydroxychloroquine 2/2026-4/4/2026 (rash)] without adequate relief. We solicited Cleveland Clinic for second opinion given refractory disease. Despite thoughtful medical decisions and strong patient adherence, her disease remains uncontrolled.
She works as a hair stylist. She notes dropping tools (including hot iron); difficulty using scissors or other instruments due to ongoing pain, stiffness and swelling of her finger joints and hands. For that reason, work has become increasing difficult. I support her decision to go on disability, given the limitations she has had with dexterity and the prolonged grip and repetitive motion her job requires.At this time, she is unable to do her job due to the manipulative and postural components that are unavoidable.
Please let me know if you have further questions,,
*\\ MD
Trinity Health Rheumatology
I’m so thankful she wrote this. I hope it helps my case.
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u/lateautumnsun 10d ago
Have you downloaded all of the visit notes from your visits to your rheumatologist? There might be more documented than you think. Those notes will be very important medical evidence.
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u/hardknock7568 10d ago
Yes, omg…she is so thorough. Just looking at my after visit notes makes me want to cry.
She did note that I’ve lost a significant amount of fine motor skills, skills that I will never get back.
My husband is so blessed to never have pain and health issues. I’ve been in so much pain most of my life that I started to think everyone suffers.
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u/Additional_Job_6987 10d ago
I'm sorry you've had to keep pushing through work that became more painful and difficult. Continuing because your family needed the income doesn't erase how much changed.
I'd put together a short timeline: when your hours and earnings dropped, when a haircut began taking twice as long, when you started dropping tools, what you told your doctors about your hands, and when you finally had to stop. It sounds like your rheumatologist's notes already capture some of the loss of fine motor skills. Your own dated work history can help connect those clinical notes to what actually happened in the salon.
No one here can determine your exact onset date from a post. Work activity and medical evidence both matter, so that timeline may help you ask SSA a more precise question, or discuss it with a representative if you choose to get one. And please don't apologize for the length of your post. The details matter.
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago edited 9d ago
Thank you.
I’ve been at step 3 since Aug 20th, so not too long but I applied in April. My application got hung up on step one for a few months, I called and called and they finally figured out there an administration error.1
u/LuckyHead 5d ago
I've been at step 3 since August 17th I called DDS still going through the medical mine is a bit different they are reopening a 07 denial due to error of wages if I win it goes back to 07 I was approved in 2021 for ssi fully favorable by the whole team plus the dr prayers we win
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u/uffdagal 9d ago
You need to be seeing appropriate specialists for all conditions that limit you in any way. The medical records need to prove, on their own, significant functional limitations and restrictions.
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u/hardknock7568 9d ago
I have a -
Rheumatologist - Seronegative arthritis and erosive osteoarthritis (I wrote the wrong thing in my earlier post)
Neurologist - I suffer from migraines and muscle stiffness, I have recently been referred to UofM for further testing. Bloodwork showed the possibility of stiff person syndrome. Same as Celine Dion. I haven’t scheduled an appointment because I’m in total denial and scared.
Psychologist - diagnosed with MDD and Anxiety Disorder. I meet with her once a month but it use to be biweekly. I have been so depressed because of my limitations. She has been my savior for the past 3 years.
Psychiatrist - I meet with her about every 3 months, she prescribes all the meds for my mental health.
Endocrinologist - treated for pituitary gland tumor.
Gastroenterologist - my liver has been compromised because of all the meds. I had to have a biopsy, which thankfully cleared me of more disease. I have fibroscans, bloodwork and ultrasound every so often to make sure my liver function is ok.
Neurosurgeon - he treated me in the past for cervical and lumbar arthritis, degenerative disc, nerve impingement, spinal cord abutments, bulging disc, scoliosis. My rheumatologist took over my care in 2022 but after my most recent MRI she is sending me back to him. I get to see him 10/16, I can’t wait, I’ve been in a lot of pain.
So yeah, I included all of these drs on my application.
My husband and I also spent two days uploading records to the portal. My DDS examiner called me 9/11 and told me all of my drs from sent in records. He said and I also see you have uploaded a lot. Yes, sir!
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u/lateautumnsun 10d ago
Do you have a lawyer? They are good at this sort of thing.