hypertension Any Suggestions ?

[devildog 71]

Hi All ;

Not sure how to word this , but let me try. I have been diagnosed with , and am currently being treated and on meds for the following:

- Emphysema

- PTSD

- Type 2 Diabetes

- Hypertension

I called a law firm specializing in SS Disability and explained all my problems to them , and was told that I definately qualify for SSD (I am 52 yrs old) HOWEVER , here is the problem - I am currently working - I do sedentary security work giving out visitor passes at a local hospital - but still use many sick days due to diabetic complications , mood disorders etc..Both my personal AND VA Dr's are willing to give me medical notes stating I am not able to even do this type of work - and the lawyer said SS WILL NOT approve anyone who is CURRENTLY employed - but like I told him , I HAVE NO CHOICE , as if I take my Dr's orders and quit working due to my disabilities , how the hell am I supposed to provide for my wife and two kids for the six months (OR LONGER) while waiting for my SS claim to be approved ??? After all , the rent still has to be paid , as the electric , utilities , and we have to eat . Unfortunately , my family and I have no one we can move in with to support us while I wait for the claim to be approved , and we have only a couple thousand in savings - which would only last about a month and a half if we used it to "survive" .

It's like a "double-edged sword" - the lawyer then sais , "Well , if you ever DO become unemployed ,give me a call ." My Brother got SSD for Diabetes with this same lawyer in about 7 months , BUT...my brother sold his house and was able to 'survive' on the profits until he was approved - hence , he didn't have to depend on any type of employment to survive.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to get around this - it would be appreciated - as I'm sure there are MANY disabled people in the same situaation as me.

Thanks in advance... :D

[Cavman]

Hi All ;

Not sure how to word this , but let me try. I have been diagnosed with , and am currently being treated and on meds for the following:

- Emphysema

- PTSD

- Type 2 Diabetes

- Hypertension

I called a law firm specializing in SS Disability and explained all my problems to them , and was told that I definately qualify for SSD (I am 52 yrs old) HOWEVER , here is the problem - I am currently working - I do sedentary security work giving out visitor passes at a local hospital - but still use many sick days due to diabetic complications , mood disorders etc..Both my personal AND VA Dr's are willing to give me medical notes stating I am not able to even do this type of work - and the lawyer said SS WILL NOT approve anyone who is CURRENTLY employed - but like I told him , I HAVE NO CHOICE , as if I take my Dr's orders and quit working due to my disabilities , how the hell am I supposed to provide for my wife and two kids for the six months (OR LONGER) while waiting for my SS claim to be approved ??? After all , the rent still has to be paid , as the electric , utilities , and we have to eat . Unfortunately , my family and I have no one we can move in with to support us while I wait for the claim to be approved , and we have only a couple thousand in savings - which would only last about a month and a half if we used it to "survive" .

It's like a "double-edged sword" - the lawyer then sais , "Well , if you ever DO become unemployed ,give me a call ." My Brother got SSD for Diabetes with this same lawyer in about 7 months , BUT...my brother sold his house and was able to 'survive' on the profits until he was approved - hence , he didn't have to depend on any type of employment to survive.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to get around this - it would be appreciated - as I'm sure there are MANY disabled people in the same situaation as me.

Thanks in advance... :D

I am on SSD and I was denied at first and won on appeal as many have to do. I feel that you very well could be given SSD on the first try. Until you get denied you do not need a lawyer. You cannot get SSD if you work. I would recommend taking enough equity out of your home to live on a few months until your approved. You will be approved. Maybe after filing contact your senator right away for help.

Cavman

[Brandy]

I am on SSD and I was denied at first and won on appeal as many have to do. I feel that you very well could be given SSD on the first try. Until you get denied you do not need a lawyer. You cannot get SSD if you work. I would recommend taking enough equity out of your home to live on a few months until your approved. You will be approved. Maybe after filing contact your senator right away for help.

Cavman

Cavman,

When you filed your appeal, did you ask for a case review or a meeting? I filed for reconsideration and checked case review because I had additional problems that had worsened since I originally filed. I am curious if anyone here has been approved in a similar situation.

[Guest jstacy]

Not sure how to word this , but let me try. I have been diagnosed with , and am currently being treated and on meds for the following:

- Emphysema

- PTSD

- Type 2 Diabetes

- Hypertension

The ssa has a 5 step process to determine if a person is eligible for SSD, The first step is the question: DO you currently work? If yes, the hearing ends right there.

For DMII and Hyertension, they look at the effects on other bodily organs caused by the diseases.

Emphysema is listed under Pulmonary disease and depending on the actual severity and the Arterial Blood Gas Studies a Person has had.

PTSD is actually the easiset avenue to get approved for SSD.

I have been denied two times and have to go see the ALJ next month.

My conditions are Uncontrollable Hypertension

CAD and heart disease

Pulmonary Hypertension

Restrictive Lung Disease

Paralyzed Left Diaphragm with dyspnea

Cervical DJD/DDD post Fusion with C6 nerve root compression by a very large bone spurr.

Left median Neuropathy with Carpal Tunnel Sundrome, Thumb paralysis,

Left Arm weakness due to Deltoid Muscle Atrophy (Muscle is almost Gone)

I guess in my case if I present at the hearing In a Casket, I will be approved. It is a Government beauracratic Joke.

John

[Brandy]

Well then, I guess I don't have a chance. My disabilities are pain with movement in my neck, shoulders, lower back. I have burning pain on each side of my neck and stabbing pains in my shoulder blades. When I try to cook or use my arms for anything. My neck basically hurts continuously. I cannot read for longer than a few minuites because if I hold my head down or to either side for more than a couple of minutes the pain worsens. I have a herniated disc in my cervical spine C5-6 with a bulge and spurs that is protruding towards the right side. My nuero doctor does not understand this because I have more pain on my left than right. I have had this pain beginning about five years after a very bad car accident about 28 years ago. I have worked full time all my life until late last year. The pain got so bad that I was taking breaks every half hour. And it got more difficult to consentrate on my work when I was in pain all of the time. I also have a tear in my disc at L5-S1 lower spine. I have MRI's that show both issues. The pain in my neck radiates up my head and I had terrible migraines.

I was denied on my original claim saying "your condition is not severe enough to keep you from working. The medical evidence shows that you do have herniated discs and that you have a lot of pain due to your back problems. You are able to move about freely and without aids. Your physical examinations are good, including good reflexes, stregth and sensation. It is noted in your file that you also have migraines; however, this is controlled with medication. Although your impairments are severe and limiting, they are not considered to be totally disabling within the meaning of the law".

I keep migraine headache calendars and I average 75% of having severe migraines during one month. I don't think my doctors forwarded copies of my headache calendars to SS. I am taking medication to prevent headaches, imitrex for when they are severe, strong pain medication for neck and shoulders because the shot (steriod) in my neck did not work and causes bad reaction and the trigger point shots did not work.

I have talked with a very good attorney that handles SS and workmans comp cases only, for the last 25 years. I told him that I could handle the reconsideration but if not approved then I would get him involved to take over from there. He agreed that this was the best way to do this. From my original filing date and when I files for reconsideration my condition worsened. They had to increase my medication which causes a lot of side effects and I have physical therapy records where my pain worsened when tried to increase my movements at any time. So I filed that with the reconsideration. That is where I am at now. Waiting to hear about the reconsideration. I asked for a "case review" showing the additional problems I have had since the first filing.

Any one else filed a claim for SSDI for pain related medical problems? Or any advice?

[Guest jstacy]

Brandy, an occupational MD or Vocational Rehab MD. You need to get an IMO from them to offset the robot the SSA uses at the ALJ hearings. If you have the evidence before you go in, They you can win.

[Brandy]

Brandy, an occupational MD or Vocational Rehab MD. You need to get an IMO from them to offset the robot the SSA uses at the ALJ hearings. If you have the evidence before you go in, They you can win.

What is a IMO? All I have are records from the nuero doctor (which does not show any weakness or strengh issues), my primary care doctor who referred me to pain management and ordered the two MRI's, Pain management records, physical therapy records for my back, an EMG they did on my right arm (even though I told my doctor that I had the same problem in both arms). The tests that nuero doctors perform are only checking for and nerve damage. They are basic tests. If he would of had me move my arm in the same direction for a couple of minutes then he could have seen that I have pain. I think somewhere I have a nerve issue because I get pins and needles in my hands and feet. I cannot vacuum because my hand goes numb. If I stand for more than 5 minutes my feet go numb.