At least check with a lawyer to make sure you take all the right steps. i wish you all the best!

Lynne

hi i havent been on that much but i know exactley what your going through after two times of being denied which i let a company that my job offered from my long term disiablity do it for me because it was free i got nothin an a lot of boot-leg doctors looking at me that knew nothing of my history or anything. i had had enough an got a lawyer for my appeal it took some time for me to get a date but it was worth it i got it. i havent recieved it yet but i got a favorable desision and social secruity is pushin things through an told me i shoud recieve something this mon or next month but the big one its going to take longer due to all the paperwork but getting a lawyer was worth it for me i just let them deal with it cause i didnt need another thing to handle in my life right now. just dont give up keep going back cause if they had turn me down again thats exactley wat i was going to do. i will keep you in my prayers and i wish nothing but the bes.

Sorry to hear you were denied. The doctors do not make the decision, just give a finding to the group that makes the decision. I would certainly get an attorney to assist you. The attorneys that specialize in disability claims know the ropes and can give you a comfort level as you go through the process, as well as answer any questions you may have.

Good Luck.
-daizy8

You MUST appeal. The system is designed to always fail on the first attempt. The idiotic thought process being is that this setup will weed out the " questionable" claims. As if that makes sense. I have even seen a quote once that stated,loosely, that " even if you are born, or loose, both arms and both legs it doesn't necessarily mean your disabled". Can you hardly imagine that. Up here in the great white north I read a staggering stat not long ago. 80% of applicants are denied, of that 80% a mind numbing 87% of people that appealed with representation, legal aid or advocate or something on those lines, were then accepted. Can you even imagine?!? Wackjobs i tell ya. So to boil it down, If you apply you will denied but then if you appeal you will be accepted because you trying hard, doh!! DO NOT STOP!!!!!!!! Fight back. There are alot of options for free or next to free help to get you through it. Good Luck :)

The statistics that I am aware of is 80% denied first time (for the reasons that wrenchhead mentioned) and 60% approved on appeal. This means that not appealing would be very stupid. Once you do appeal, please, use the services of a lawyer that specializes in this area. There are so many rules that operate here. For example, if you are not able to move your hands or feet but can sit in front of security screen, you can work and you will be denied SSD. However, if you require a recovery break several times a day (and have a doctor's letter to confirm this), no employer will hire you...Therefore you will be eligible for SSD. Only a lawyer will be able to tell you this, help you get your forms right, instruct you on what to ask your doctor to write for you, and coach you on what to say during the hearing. Good luck!

Wow is this what some of us have to look forward to when and if we are unable to work after working all these years and contributing to SS. Very sad. It is because SS does not veiw RA as being a disability unless you come in with a crtch in one hand can in another and someone pushing you into the hearing in a wheelchair.

You must appeal agin Must. Not sure about lawyer or not. Maybe yu could get free counseling somehere. My prayers ate with you.