Anyone That Lives In Ohio....have You Been Able To Get Approved For Social Security Disability? | MyFibroTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About MyFibroTeam
Powered By
Real members of MyFibroTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
Anyone That Lives In Ohio....have You Been Able To Get Approved For Social Security Disability?
A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭

I'm asking because I've been fighting since December 2013, this is my second appeal. I have an attorney but SS dept says I do not have a qualifying disease.

posted July 4, 2016
•
Be the first to like/hug
A MyFibroTeam Member

Thank you everyone for the wonderful answers and help. :)

posted July 5, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member If I remember correctly on the SSA blue book list of impairments. The only ones you list that are actually mentioned by name are asthma and depression - the asthma has to be uncontrolled and I cannot remember off the top of my head what it says about depression.
This is a link to the lists of impairments
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bl...
For something like fibro you have to list all your symptoms, rather than just fibro. You have some such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, TMJ, etc. But you need to mention widespread chronic pain and what your typical day of pain is like and where it is on the pain scale, change fatigue to chronic fatigue, do you have other symptoms, excessive sweating, panic attacks, morning stiffness or all day stiffness, how long can you stand or sit, trouble speaking words, confusion, balance and coordination issues, memory impairment, trouble concentrating, sensory impairments such as sounds, smells, noises, lights, insomnia, trouble sleeping and staying asleep. etc. If you just say fibro they don't know how severe your fibro is. Tell them how high your average blood pressure is, even with medicine. The type of arthritis you have.
And just like SherylB mentioned, use Allsup, not a lawyer and also call your senator or get on his website and find federal casework help on it. Request that they help you. Once they inquire about your disability case, it usually lights a fire under someone. I have the direct line to the lady handling mine. She has told me things she suggests I get done and I am working on those. For depression, you need to be seeing a therapist, she mentioned a pain clinic for my fibro and CFS. I was just diagnosed with osteopenia or pre osteoporosis so I get to call her and tell her that news and which doctor is handling it. But I am waiting because my PCP is trying to get me in to a pain clinic and a new rheumatologist. I'm not sure which or is both will handle my osteopenia. She also asked me when was my last breathing test. It was 6 years ago which was too long. So I told her I am seeing my PCP in a couple weeks and I will ask him for a new test. She said call me when that is done and I will request the records. My asthma is no longer controlled because my insurance won't pay for the symbicort which was working, now I am on advair and it doesn't work.
I hope this helps you out. And you get a positive answer soon.

posted July 5, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

I've said this in response to other questions. Instead of going with a lawyer I went with ALLSUP to help me get Social Security. They do all the leg work as far as making sure SS has all the doctor notes and any evaluations. They are in contact with SS at least every two weeks.

At first SS was going to deny me but I didn't receive the letter yet. My pain doctor sent me for a Functional Capacity Assessment which is done by an Occupational Therapist (OT). They measure your movement and strength. They will put you through a series of test, taking your pulse before and after and you identify your level of pain before or after. These test are skills needed for many different jobs, such as screwing bolts on nuts, putting pegs in holes, matching, carrying etc. I could not finish the entire test. I was in so much pain and was told I could stop any time but I felt it was important to try every test and then if I couldn't finish the test I would stop it early. The OT stopped me during a test and then stopped the entire testing. He said there is nothing that I can do and he could not recommend any therapy that would help.

Within a few weeks of Social Security receiving this report I was approved.

When you go to court there is usually an OT there that looks at your records and then states what jobs they think you can do. If things aren't worded just right in your records they may overlook some things. With the Functional Capacity Assessment they actually watch you and discuss it with you. This is more objective. I would highly recommend anyone going for Disability to have this done.

posted July 4, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member I know we had the conversation before on the assessment you had. I get to start PT this coming Thursday to help me after my cancer treatments. It can possibly reduce my recovery time which is normally over a year. However, there may be issues due to all my other problems because it is a cancer based PT.
I imagine I am going to be a whole new challenge for my therapist. And who knows, maybe I can get a OT assessment squeezed in there somewhere, esp if they are not sure what they can have me do since I have a exercise intolerance. I know I can walk short distances and ride a stationary bike (preferably recumbent) for short distances and do light stretches. I cannot do weight training or cardio workouts.
I had PT once after a knee injury and I remember they tried to put me a stair climber, I warned them, but they insisted. I was on it maybe 2 minutes when nausea hit me hard and fast. It was not pretty. I also have asthma attacks, my heart will go nuts beating too fast and having palpitations, I have muscle pain and cramps and I get dizzy, have headaches and get nauseous. Hopefully my therapist will not be one of those that just doesn't believe me and tries pushing me to do what I can't....I will either have to prove them wrong or throw a leg weight at his or her head.

posted July 5, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

You can put down fibro, you can't put down just fibro. You have to add the other issues that go with it and be sure to add the worst parts of your symptoms. I am in the process myself and am at the point where I am being sent to doctors by disability for my issues. I have 3 doctors appointments coming up. I am being sent for X-rays - not sure why, but it may show things like my torn meniscus and arthritis. It can't show my torn rotator cuff and it certainly doesn't show fibro, yet my fibro is listed as a reason for them. I am being sent for a mental exam as they put it - this would be for my depression and anxiety. I am also being sent for a physical exam for my fibro, back pain, hand pain and knee pain as they put it. Not sure why those are all they listed since I had stated I have all over body pain. I have been called on several occasions by the case worker on my claim and we have spoke in detail about my fibro including it causing me to lose my last job.
There are a lot of diseases that are not mentioned by name that you can still get disability on they just have to meet the same requirements as similar diseases. I was told this is one of the guideline they use for fibro from their list of impairments. There is a second one but they both read very much alike.
14.09 Inflammatory arthritis. As described in 14.00D6. With:
A. Persistent inflammation or persistent deformity of:
1. One or more major peripheral weight-bearing joints resulting in the inability to ambulate effectively (as defined in 14.00C6); or
2. One or more major peripheral joints in each upper extremity resulting in the inability to perform fine and gross movements effectively (as defined in 14.00C7).
OR
B. Inflammation or deformity in one or more major peripheral joints with:
1. Involvement of two or more organs/body systems with one of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity; and
2. At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss).

posted August 18, 2016

Related content

View All
If You Have Been APPROVED With Fibromyalgia For Social Security Disability, Can You Provide Some Info?
A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Anyone Live Near Raleigh,NC Who Has Received Social Security?
A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Has Anyone In Indiana Applied For Social Security Disability And Been Approved?
A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
Lock Icon Your privacy is our priority. By continuing, you accept our Terms of use, and our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a Member? Log in