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    furious and scared

    Got a call a little while ago that I need to go to the Disability doctors for a physical and psych evaluation due to the fact that my medical records didn't provide enough data.

    I find that hard to believe, since I've been seeing the same GP for 32 years and have seen my neuro umpteen times since this past July. Even after my diagnosis, he specified that he'd seen a marked deterioration in my health since summer.

    I've had concerns about my caseworker from the beginning (see my other post about it), and this makes me wonder if he's bothered to read anything that I provided or that he received from my doctors.

    On top of that, this appointment is in a city 35 miles away. I no longer drive, and I don't know anyone who can take me. The nearest bus stop is 6 city blocks away from where I need to go. Even if someone goes along for the ride, I don't know if I can even get there on my own two feet.

    After my first contact with him, I felt that he was going to refuse my claim, and now I'm even more convinced. I'm just very frightened and discouraged right now.

    #2
    Hi Nora,

    I am really sorry you have to go thru this. Traveling to an office that far away must be daunting. I have not had to see a doctor from SSDI, but feel with a CDR, will have to at some point.

    I do remember a change they made in evaluating claims and how a treating physician's record is viewed. I believe generally it used to be given more weight, whereas now, it is viewed as part of the picture.

    Not sure if you want it, but this explains some of it:
    https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-1520c.htm
    Kathy
    DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

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      #3
      Nora,

      At this point, we're seeing the majority of claims go through a 'consultative examination' by a Social Security doctor. I wouldn't take this as a definitive good or bad sign on an individual claim.

      We've also seen a trend where the SSA is centralizing these examinations, causing claimants to travel further than they otherwise would. The SSA is supposed to reimburse for the cost of such travel, but these reimbursements often take time and are a hardship on the claimants.

      -Jamie
      Attorney Jamie R. Hall's practice is focused on assisting individuals with claims and appeals for Social Security Disability and Long Term Disability benefits. He has assisted claimants nationwide, approximately half of whom are MS patients, from his Pennsylvania and Ohio locations. **No attorney/client relationship is created by this communication, and information provided herein is not a substitute for formal advisement.**

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        #4
        Thank you, Jamie! That makes me feel marginally better.

        Another question for you: When I contacted the caseworker about all of this, he inferred that he hadn't contacted my GP for her records, telling me "The past doesn't matter. We only care about what's happening now."

        My feeling is that since MS is a progressive disease, then my past medical records certainly are important. If nothing else, they show that she's spent 32 years sending me for tests and to specialists in an attempt to find out what was wrong with me.

        I'm going to contact her about sending him copies of whatever she thinks is suitable, hopefully with a letter detailing our efforts over the years, but is there something else I should do? This caseworker just seems to be taking the easy way out in everything he does. Am I wrong in thinking that my long-time family doctor should be involved in this?

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          #5
          Hi Nora. I am sure Jamie will be along to answer your question. My guess is that SSDI only cares about the present and why at this moment, you would be deemed disabled and unable to work in any profession.

          When they reviewed my case, they only cared about the last 2 years and what changed that led me to file for disability. The only exception was they wanted my original neuropsych testing results so they could compare to most recent and my original MRI when diagnosed. I know my neuro sent older recs anyway.

          That being said, the judge did consider my work history related to time of diagnosis and original onset of symptoms in his decision. But he didn't reference any older detail medical history other than that - just to show I worked for years with MS.

          Lots of luck. I was glad Jamie's response indicated that it was the new normal procedure. Hope you were able to make arrangements for travel to your appointment.
          Kathy
          DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

          Comment


            #6
            Thank you, Kathy! My daughter's best friend heard about the issue and volunteered to take me. She's going to leave straight from work (night shift) and drive 50 miles to pick me up, then backtrack 35 miles into the city, bring me back home, and then go back through rush-hour traffic to go to work again that night. When she called to tell me, I just sat down and cried, because we'd run out of practical options.

            Comment


              #7
              Nora,

              I'm pleased to hear that you were able to get a ride. Be sure to submit a request for reimbursement for your friend's mileage on the form that the SSA provides.

              As to the records question, the SSA typically relies upon records after your date of disability, as well as records for the year preceding disability. Your treatment notes while you were working are significantly less important, other than showing that your disease progressed over time (and that you persevered during this deterioration). As such, the SSA generally does not pursue historic treatment records.

              -Jamie
              Attorney Jamie R. Hall's practice is focused on assisting individuals with claims and appeals for Social Security Disability and Long Term Disability benefits. He has assisted claimants nationwide, approximately half of whom are MS patients, from his Pennsylvania and Ohio locations. **No attorney/client relationship is created by this communication, and information provided herein is not a substitute for formal advisement.**

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by NoraS View Post
                Thank you, Kathy! My daughter's best friend heard about the issue and volunteered to take me. She's going to leave straight from work (night shift) and drive 50 miles to pick me up, then backtrack 35 miles into the city, bring me back home, and then go back through rush-hour traffic to go to work again that night. When she called to tell me, I just sat down and cried, because we'd run out of practical options.
                What a wonderful friend your daughter has. I know that often, a best friend's Mom can be a second Mom. You must have a great relationship with her to volunteer her time like that. Lots of luck. Keep us in the loop.
                Kathy
                DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

                Comment


                  #9
                  I just had THE best day of my life in more years than I care to count! My daughter came along for the ride, and both girls were able to get tonight off work, so we had the whole day together.

                  They showed up early and took me to see some well-known sights that I'd never been to, then a stop for some really good coffee, and then the endless wait for the Disability doctors. That went much better than I'd expected. I have no idea if I "passed" the psych evaluation, but the woman who did the physical portion had already seen copies of my neuro's records and was very familiar with MS.

                  She did a variety of simple tests and confirmed the neuro's opinion that I definitely have issues. She made a point of telling me that she was going to do her best to write it up thoroughly and stress that she felt I was more than qualified for a Disability approval and that I should hear something in as little as 3 weeks. Yippee! I'm still trying to not get my hopes up too high, in case they're dashed, but this is much better than the yahoo I've been dealing with up to this point.

                  After that, the friend took us to an expensive restaurant for dinner, then we finished out the day with some retail therapy, and my daughter bought me a print by a favorite artist. Now I think I'm just going to collapse and plan to spend most of tomorrow in bed!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    So glad that a day you were dreading turned into an enjoyable one! I am sure you are still recovering. Hope the outcome is a favorable one.
                    Kathy
                    DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

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