tdiu Denied

[navydoc2]

I received my letter of denial today from SSD, it is the one that took nine months to decide at the reconsideration level. I know that the VA and SS are different agencies and one does not mean you're a shoe in to get the other. I just thought that I had the evidence to prove I can't do any work. I am rated TDIU, 80%. 70% depression with anxiety, 10% tinnititis, 10% left knee. I also had problems where I was passing out. I wore a halter monitor and it was determined that I was in 3rd degree heart block with pauses lasting as long as 20 seconds. I received a pacemaker a few months ago, as they and I hoped it would be corrected with this procedure. It was not I am still passing out, what job can I get where I pass out without warning; standing, sitting, walking. I was just told by a VA cardiologist that they may not find the problem until I die. What kind of diagnosis is that, he also said that it could be in my head, then why would you put a pacemaker in if it was in my head? If anyone can give advice it would be appreciated. I do have a lawyer who will ask for an ALJ hearing so the waiting continues. Thanks

/doc

[LarryJ]

I received my letter of denial today from SSD, it is the one that took nine months to decide at the reconsideration level. I know that the VA and SS are different agencies and one does not mean you're a shoe in to get the other. I just thought that I had the evidence to prove I can't do any work. I am rated TDIU, 80%. 70% depression with anxiety, 10% tinnititis, 10% left knee. I also had problems where I was passing out. I wore a halter monitor and it was determined that I was in 3rd degree heart block with pauses lasting as long as 20 seconds. I received a pacemaker a few months ago, as they and I hoped it would be corrected with this procedure. It was not I am still passing out, what job can I get where I pass out without warning; standing, sitting, walking. I was just told by a VA cardiologist that they may not find the problem until I die. What kind of diagnosis is that, he also said that it could be in my head, then why would you put a pacemaker in if it was in my head? If anyone can give advice it would be appreciated. I do have a lawyer who will ask for an ALJ hearing so the waiting continues. Thanks

/doc

You need to see an electrophysiologist.

http://www.heartrhythmfoundation.org/facts/electrophysiology.asp

[Notorious Kelly]

Doc,

Sorry for the frustration with SSDI; I can relate.

Is there some specific wording used in the denial that you can give us?

If you have a strong case in writing, you might get faster approval asking for an On-The-Record decision instead of waiting for ALJ. Your attorney should be familiar with that.

[navydoc2]

Doc,

Sorry for the frustration with SSDI; I can relate.

Is there some specific wording used in the denial that you can give us?

If you have a strong case in writing, you might get faster approval asking for an On-The-Record decision instead of waiting for ALJ. Your attorney should be familiar with that.

Thanks NK I know you can, but if I recall didn't you do your own SSD claim? I will try to write what they said and then provide what is in my medical file. I hope it's not overwhelming.

They wrote the denial as follows. You said that you are unable to work because of headaches, difficulty sleeping, pain in back, knees anxiety, depression, nausea, vision confusion and tachycardia. Although you have pain and discomfort in your back and knees , you can move well enough to do some types of work. Your nausea, headaches , and difficulty sleeping has not caused any disabling effects on your general health. Your heart condition has not caused severe problems with your general health. You can see well enough to work. While your anxiety and depression keep you from doing stressful and complex types of work, you can do simple and routine work. Your medical condition prevents you from doing your past work, but it does not prevent you from doing other work which is less demanding.

That is what the letter says was the basis of the denial. Here are my medical conditions, and what I said on their questionnaire. The headaches and difficulty sleeping is from my sleep apnea, I have knee pain in both my kness which don't allow me to walk more than a half block. I can not stand for more than ten/fifteen minutes without back spasms and knees giving out. What job can I stand for fifteen minutes and then lay down for forty? I can't sit for longer than fifteen minutes without back spasms and my knees locking up. My anxiety and depression causes me to avoid people to the point I only leave the house for doctor's appt's, and then I have to take a klonopin to get through it. I don't make my own meals, I don't do my own laundry, my wife pays the bills, I have to have her around because I'm unstable in the shower and can't get up if I'm in the tub. Lastly I had a pacemaker put in because I was passing out, that was supposed to fix the problem; it didn't I still pass out without warning. It has happened sitting, standing, walking. God forbid it ever were to happen should I try do drive anymore. While I run tachy at times I also have periods where my heart stops its been documented while I was in the hospital before they put the pacer in with defibrillation. I don't know what they mean by less demanding work, I could be a greeter at walmart, what jobs are they talking about that I can do. Thanks for the support and advice in advance.

/doc

[carlie]

I exclusively pass bullet sized ones lol, 5.5mm, 7.6mm, 7.9mm, 9.0mm. 6.5mm and 8.0mm, which waited till Iraq to arise. Apparently the water is so

high in minerals there, that it can actually cause a slew of other issues, especially at the rate we were drinking the water....

Pman,

It's only my opinion but I feel very strongly that disability's PGW,OIF/OEF veterans are going to be having years

down the road are going to end up being like AO/herbicide/SHAD - Project 112, exposed vets from other eras.

There will be decades of denials, committees, sub-committees, tests, reports, illnesses never heard

of before, new diagnosis, new presumptives, etc... - Oh, did I say denials...

There is absolutely no telling yet what all illnesses they will experience from these deployments.

Illness from water, food, burn pits, chemicals, airborne exposures, etc... these will be just the beginning.

navydoc2,

Sorry for the off topic and much more sorry to read about your denial from SSA.

Hopefully there will be an ALJ Hearing soon and the judge will decide in your favor.

FYI - My SSA claim involved an ALJ Hearing and my law firm was able to stand in

representation for me and I did not have to personally attend the Hearing, it was granted

as fully favorable. My SSA claim was in Fla.

[Notorious Kelly]

Doc,

Yes, I did my own claim with a lot of help from posts and site.

Looks like they got you with the 'Able to do SOME type of work" line.

Could be helpful if your Dr will fill out the RFC - Residual Functional Capacity forms and if you do the self-report Patrick's self-report

The crux now rests on clearly proving that, due to your incapacitation, you are unable to do ANY type of work.

Good luck!

[erico541]

hey doc, i have not been to the site for quite some time, anyhow like you i was turned down for ssdi as well. i am waiting on a hearing...... i am 100%permanent how this works i havent a clue,my family knows a few young kids getting ssdi first try. it wouldnt bother me except they have never worked at all ,and there is really nothing wrong with them, it hurts for that to happen while there are veterans getting turned down good luck navy doc you deserve ssdi as does any veteran unable to work. some states (like oregon) have it out for veterans god bless