Herniated Disks C spine with stenosis and severe IBS & SSDI?!
Question: Herniated Disks C spine with stenosis and severe IBS & SSDI, My fiance first of all was getting debilitating stomach problems for months when she was finally diagnosed with severe irritable bowel syndrome she was working at a store where she is on medical leave right now because she stared to get pain in her neck and left arm with limited use of the left with a swollen sholder along with head and neck pain. We just found out she has several hernaited disks in her C spine and she also has stinosis in her C spine. She cannot do harley anything now due to pain and problems with all this going on. Is this enought to get her on SSD? she has the work history to get SSD and is on medical leave now. The Health Dept Nerse proctioner told her to apply for SSD this is a problem as a nurse practioner how can she recommed SSD with out a diagnoses of disabled given in writing to her?
Answers: Herniated Disks C spine with stenosis and severe IBS & SSDI, My fiance first of all was getting debilitating stomach problems for months when she was finally diagnosed with severe irritable bowel syndrome she was working at a store where she is on medical leave right now because she stared to get pain in her neck and left arm with limited use of the left with a swollen sholder along with head and neck pain. We just found out she has several hernaited disks in her C spine and she also has stinosis in her C spine. She cannot do harley anything now due to pain and problems with all this going on. Is this enought to get her on SSD? she has the work history to get SSD and is on medical leave now. The Health Dept Nerse proctioner told her to apply for SSD this is a problem as a nurse practioner how can she recommed SSD with out a diagnoses of disabled given in writing to her?
Tell her to go to a neurologist (she should already know that) and ask for the MRI of her spine. She will also get a diagnosis. Then she should write to and collect any documentation from any other doctors she has seen about her back problem along with their diagnosis. Then she should find herself an attorney that does SS disability cases and apply for SS disability. It's up to your gf to prove her case. Sure there will be an attorney for her there in court, but the discussion will be between your gf and the judge, and the judge will determine also just how much work she is able to do. I don't know if you could attend or not since it seems to me like a closed hearing, but maybe you could attest to what she's told you about what she can and can't do. People who are unemployed go to Vocational Rehab office and they will help get this process going. If she's on medical leave now then she should somehow get that documented and then apply at the Social Security office for benefits. The SS office will set up appointments for her.
Even if a medical doctor had told your fiance that she should apply for SSD, that doesn't mean she would automatically get it. She should contact Social Security and apply as soon as possible. It is a long process.
The Social Security office will get her medical records from all of her doctors. They may also send her to one or more doctors of their own.
An attorney can help her with the process. It's not uncommon for SS to turn down SSD applicants on the first try. In Florida, SSD attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means they don't get paid unless they help you get the benefit. There's no up front payment. Check to see if it is the same in your state.
In addition to what #1 said, expect to be denied the first time, the CBS new is doing a series on this right now how all claims are denied the first time and 2/3 of people give up and go away..... saves SS $$$ but very unfair, If your fiancee' has an insurance company paying her medical bills have her ask them if they have any connection with a company that specializes in getting disability claims approved so that eventually the insurance company is the co pay and medicare is the primary. If they do work with a company these people will not charge her anything and her claim will be processed STAT. The atty gets 25% of the initial settlement so it is to their benefit to make you wait up to the 2 yrs maximum amt they can get. and they do.....