SSD finds non-disabling to be more disabling than disabling conditions? WTF?

[mariatorres1983]

What is the name of your state?
Arizona

I have osteonecrosis. I have had so many stabilizing surgeries in one hand that is is mostly titanium, and I have no range of motion with the wrist hinge, just the fingers. In the other hand, the osteonecrosis has caused several wrist bones to break, which in turn, has caused some ligament tears. Thank god for Dragon Naturally Speaking! I stopped working in April because I could no longer manipulate objects due to the osteonecrosis. That comes from a combination of not being able to control the bones and muscles, and the severe pain from the ligament tears and broken bones.

However, my SSD claim processor said that osteonecrosis is not considered a disability, and in the eyes of social security, I could go back to work. My job required me to lift 10-50 pounds, but lifting more than one pound (seriously) is excruciatingly painful, and at times, impossible because I cannot control the hands.

So here is why I am extremely angry: The processor said "Well I see here from records that you have headaches. Why did you not put headaches on your form?" I said "Because they are not disabling. I get the occasional migraine once a month or so, and a few headaches here and there. Migraines do not prevent me from putting on my bra or shoes, like osteonecrosis does." Then he said "Well I see here that you have depression." That shocked me, because I do not, just when I take a lot of narcotics. So I told him that; I said "When I take oxycontin for a week straight, it makes me a little depressed, I think its just the drug that does it." Also makes me really sick, but I'm desperate when in pain.

So, I've got this bone disease which is incurable, and the representative is trying to hint hint nudge wink that I am more likely to be approved if I can prove that migraines and depression are disabling me, since according to them, osteonecrosis is not.

What gives?
Maria

 

[solutions41201]

This is not an answer to your question, just some more questions regarding the disease.

My younger sister has the same thing. She was diagnosed fairly recently. She is 13. This summer she had it fairly bad. I do not understand all of it, but you apparently would. She lives in California.
My sister said that she told her P.E. Coach that she has osteonecrosis and that some activities and some days it may be difficult for her to participate. The coach said, "I don't care what you have you will participate every day and in every thing no matter what!"
How hard will it be for her to do certain things? and can her coach really make that kind of a rule? Also how quickly, or slowly is it known to progress?

Thank you for your help. I hope your situation works out. I do have ways you can make money at home, on the phone and with internet. You would have to pay for your own background check $30. If you are interested please let me know and we can figure out how to exchange the info.

 

[tigger22472]

On one hand I totally see your point but I also see the caseworkers point. If there is ANYTHING that you suffer from whether you believe it to be disabling or not you should put it down. I don't understand the whole idea of not being able to do it for your hands, however, the medication you TAKE for that disease can hinder your ability also.

My husband had migraines pretty often before he had his disabling accident but he had never seen a doctor for them. After his accident that was one of the questions and he did suffer badly from them so he did discuss it with his doctor. That was added to his claim. Had it stopped him from working in the past? NO. Would that alone hindered him from working in the future? No. But, every little bit helped. And if that works, then use it. SS drags their butts enough, the more you give them to work with the better it is for you.

 

[BL]

However, my SSD claim processor said that osteonecrosis is not considered a disability, and in the eyes of social security,

http://www.nonf.org/osteonecrosis.html

And they are Just the Claims processor , and I agree you put down anything and everything that you suffer from weather or not YOU think it's Important .

Even though the bone osteoporosis alone may not be considered as disabled , a combination of symptoms may get approved.

SSA decides on the availability of ALL jobs avail. in the U.S.A , that you could preform .

Now at this point , you need to consult an SSI attorney .

You need to speak with you Drs. and Specialist to see what their thoughts are of you not being able to work at any Job .

Your depression may save the day .

Also , to the poster who states the Coach forces the child to participate .

There is a simple answer , get a Drs . Statement for the School , the child is Limited If the child is , or Can't if the child can not .

 

[moonkeeper]

What is the name of your state?
Arizona

...Then he said "Well I see here that you have depression... and the representative is trying to hint hint nudge wink that I am more likely to be approved if I can prove that migraines and depression are disabling me, since according to them, osteonecrosis is not.

What gives?
Maria

What???
I think I must be living in my own private episode of Tales From The Dark Side. I actually have very severe depression and anxiety disorder, also other things going on. And I am told by mental health staff and even an attorney that depression and such is very hard to get disability for. I will post my own thread since I have questions I hope can get answers here - but really was surprised to read that depression might get you further than your condition of complaint.

 

[zippysgoddess]

Having been through this with my husband, I can tell you that they aren't saying you will get approved for just depression, or just headaches, it is actually the combo of all your health problems which will help you to get approved. (As Tigger said) One condition, and the meds for it, can affect another condtion, thus aggravating each other, and causing further problems that may very well be disabling.

When my DH applied, he suffered chronic depression, anxiety disorders, and his diabetes was out of control, since one can affect the other, they approved him right away. Though none of the problems, taken by itself would probably have gotten him approved.

As his case manager told him when filling out the forms, write them as if you are describing the worst day of your life, with all your conditions and symptoms hitting you at once, don't just write them to describe an average day.