| Author |
Message |
    
Charlotte Scott-Spann
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 12:15 am: | 
|
I am a 45 year old female with chronic acute asthma. The last arterial
blood gases done about a month apart showed 51 (I was placed on in home
oxygen therapy) and the last one was 78 taken at rest and off the
oxygen for approximately 1 hour. My peak flows are still in the red
area under 250 on good days on bad days I'm lucky to to get to 200. I
also suffer from depression. I have worked since I was 16 years old. My
doctor has agreed to let me return to work for four hours a day on
portable oxygen and see how well I can tolerate that. Already speaking
with my supervisor, she is not thrilled with this. Do I have a claim
for disability? If so, should I consult an attorney to file this for me
or try it on my own first? |
Paul McChesney
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 4:25 pm: |
|
You certainly have enough of an impairment that you might be found
disabled. For Social Security Disability you also must have worked
enough, and for SSI you must have low enough income and resources.
I
would talk to a lawyer right now, and then decide whether to file on my
own or hire one. Maybe talk to a couple of lawyers.
If you
want to give me your city and state I will be glad to try to suggest a
couple of attorneys; or you can try the phone book in the nearest large
city, or both.
I am sorry about your trouble, and wish you good luck. |
bill everett
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 11:10 am: |
|
hi i have copd and am just about to go before an admin. judge do you feel i stand a chance to get dis ben. ? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 5:43 am: |
|
Bill, It is impossible to say; it depends on your age, education, work
experience, and the severity of your COPD. You need an attorney if you
are going to a hearing. |
Mark Trick
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 03, 2001 - 2:34 pm: |
|
It
has taken me nearly two weeks to create this letter, trying to leave
out personal emotions. This letter is concerning problems with my
health.
First, I’ll give you a little bit of personal history.
From the age of twelve tell I was eighteen I went everywhere on my
bicycle often eight to ten hours a day on the hilly dirt roads of West
Virginia. This and my track and wrestling injuries while in high
school, and the “extreme” physical activities while working in
construction in my late teens and early twenties have brought on my
early problems with arthritis for the last several years. Smoking and
I’m sure; exposure for a long time, to toxic fumes, industrial smoke,
dusts, and other air pollutants in my work environment has damaged my
lungs.
Now, I have the quality of life that can significantly
deteriorate from pain and loss of mobility due to Osteoarthritis and
Rheumatoid arthritis and Arteriosclerosis. At my age, I’m not dealing
well to the effects of Arthritis and the other disease I will cover
below. I have been using a cane due to knee joint inflammation and
pain. I must, at times, forgo even relatively low-impact activities,
like walking. I have Arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a disease of
the arteries in which fatty material is deposited in the vessel wall,
resulting in narrowing and eventual impairment of blood flow. Fat,
cholesterol, and other substances collect in the walls of arteries and
interfere with the blood flow. Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms until
a complication occurs. Atherosclerosis and Arthritis symptoms started
in my early twenties in the form of a pain in my hand and feet. Now, I
have Coronary Artery Disease due to Atherosclerosis. Usually I
experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and pain in my hand and feet.
My doctor said my lungs are garbage and there is nothing that can be
done. The damage has already been done, and it can’t be reversed. I
have been lead to believe that I have Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
(emphysema). A stress test has indicated I have a breathing problem. I
do have shortness of breath. My doctor told me to get regular exercise
to increase my walking distance and to improve my breathing. I must
stop smoking! He said walking is the best exercise for people with
emphysema. Atherosclerosis and or Arthritis are causing numbness, pain
and cramps in my hands, finger, feet, toes, and pain and cramps in my
legs and pain in my knees; thereby, causing me much difficulty in many
necessary activities, like regular exercise to improve breathing.
Inflammation of my right knee joint and feet has been and is a real
problem for me. I am on a low fat/low cholesterol diet and I am taking
medications prescribed by my doctors. My health problems are
significantly severe, limiting my physical ability to perform basic
activities, such as: sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying,
handling, climbing, stooping, crouching, etc. My reduced ability to
understanding, remembering, using judgment, and dealing with changes is
causing me additional personal problems. With a clear conscience I can
no longer provide a good days work for a good days pay, even on a
limited bases; therefore, I have filed for disability with the Canton,
Ohio Social Security Administration office. I requested and obtained a
handicap card to use in the car for when I must go out.
Your assistance and understanding in helping me in dealing with my situation will be accepted with thanks.
From Paul:
Mark,
it is hard to help from down here, but I will suggest these things. You
must do them all. 1. Be sure that all of your doctors are behind you in
any claim you file. 2. Get an attorney who primarily handles these
cases. It is too important to do on your own. 3. Stop smoking. You will
be less miserable living in a box on the side of the road without
cigarettes, than in a mansion with them, in light of the state of your
lungs. That last comment goes for everybody. |
Benny OSheal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 10:44 am: |
|
I took early retirement from work approximately four years ago. I was
diagnosed with COPD at that time but was able to work. Since retirement
my COPD has significantly gotten worse to the point I give out of
breath doing any physical activity such as: climbing stairs, taking a
shower, walking, etc.. Since retirement I have come to a point
financially that I may have to return to work due to the downturn in
the market. I would not be able to do anything productive. I am 59
years old. Would I qualify for disability benefits? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 6:10 am: |
|
Possibly. It depends on your age, education, and work experience as
well as your physical impairments. For example, if you have good
managerial skills, your inability to perform heavy, or even light labor
is irrelevant, since some managerial jobs are purely sedentary.
Working
is almost always better than Social Security, if you can do it. If you
cannot work, I would sit down and talk to a lawyer who handles a lot of
disability work as a first step. It would help to have your breathing
test results with you when you go.
Take care and good luck. |
Robin Hendriex
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 11:41 am: |
|
I am a 47 year old women who was diagnoised 7 years ago with emphesyma.
I was placed on oxygen in March of 2001. I lost my job in July of 2001.
I am currently waiting to go court for S.S. disabilty benenfits after
having been denied twice.I have worked in resturants in some form or
another all my life. It was my doctor who told me I could no longer
continue in the resturant business. I have no other skills other than
resturant work. My doctor says if I contiune to work I would need a set
down job. I dont have any skills or experience in office work or the
like. The denial letter that I recieved from S.S. states that although
I do have some restrictions they feel I can return to the same line of
work as Service Manager/waitress.Am I to be expected to go against what
my doctor has told me. How am I to wait tables while toting oxygen. I
doesnt make since that I have a Hanicapped license for parking that
states I can't walk more than 200 feet without stopping to rest yet the
government believes I can wait tables. I have started classes at a
local college to start retraining in hopes that one day I will be able
to return to the work force. What are my chances of being approved in
court? Has the fact that I have started classes hurt my chances. And
lastly what is the suicide rate for people who are waiting to be
approved for disablity? I would bet it is high. I have worked all my
life and when I need help I am treated like a liar. If I could work in
a resturant I would glady to it. I would not be robbing Peter to pay
Paul and borrowing from loved ones and friends just to make ends meet.
Why doesnt the government treat us with a little dignity. |
Les Stewart
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 12:33 pm: |
|
Robin, You ask some very good questions. especially about the suicide
rate among people trying to get SSD. I have worked my ass off since I
was in high school trying to get ahead and have something to retire on
and leave to my daughter. I have had two back surgeries and have
chronic pain every day. Like you I can do a lot of things but not for
long or every day. When I do something I pay for it later by not being
able to do anything. SSA acts like I might be trying to cheat them out
of their money not trying to get back the money that I paid over the
years so I would have it when and if I needed it. I have used all my
savings and borrowed more than I will ever be able to pay back just to
live while fighting with SSA. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 5:43 am: |
|
Robin, you certainly need to talk to an attorney in your home town.
Anyone who is on oxygen has a serious breathing problem; but
unfortunately if your doctor says that you can do sit down work, and if
you are under 50, you might have some trouble unless you prove
additional limitations. I bet you do; but you must develop them
carefully. It is not enough to prove you cannot do your old job.
Some
judges have told me that someone who can go to school can work, but I
personally know that is not so. Schools almost always accommodate
people far more than employers can; and I can often get statements from
your teachers that show special accommodations that would not be
allowed in a working environment; this can actually strengthen the
case. But attending school makes your case a tricky one.
It is impossible for me to estimate your chances without spreading all of your medical records out in front of me.
I
do not have any statistics on the suicide rate. But I know that my
client's suffer greatly because of the time it takes. Do not despair;
that is what they hope. Talk to an attorney about your case, and to a
counselor about your depression, if you are suffering from it. Local
Mental Health is usually free to the impoverished. Take care and good
luck. |
Sadie Mae Pickett
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 8:20 pm: |
|
Hi my name is Mae. I am 47 years old. I have an appeal coming up next
week, I have severe Asthma, my sense of smell have been gone for a year
now. I have to been on a breathing machine four time a day. I am in
home health. I have been fired off two jobs because of my illness. I
get so weak and tired all the time. I have to sleep on two pillow with
my head up at all time. I have develope high blood pressure since I
been sick. Last year I had twelve Asthma attacks in two months and had
to go to ER for breathing treatment. I live in fear that this is going
to kill me. I have worked for nine years only in the health field. I
cough uncontrollable all day long. I am on eight kinds of medicine. I
urine on my self and I don't go out anywhere. Do you think I have a
chance to win my appeal this month. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 5:35 am: |
|
Sadie: You well might have a chance to win your claim in the long run.
Asthma can be disabling if you take all the medicine you are supposed
to, and you still have uncontrolled spells that require emergency
treatment. But be aware that it is wise to document these spells by
having a doctor observe and record them. |
michelle lester
Unregistered guest
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2004 - 9:25 am: |
|
hello
i was just wondering my son as asthma really bad some times he cant
even go outside and play he has to have breathing treatment all the
time she is on med everyday i was wondering if he could get some help
with ssi are social security would u let me no thank u |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 888
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 14, 2004 - 5:52 pm: |
|
If
your income and resources are low enough for him to be eligible, and if
the condition disrupts his life enough, you might be able to show he is
eligible for SSI.
The critical question for asthma is the
frequency of the spells severe enough to require doctor intervention,
and the frequency of spells that interrupt his normal activities. |
Misty Alley
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 02, 2005 - 6:10 pm: |
|
Hi. I was wanting to know if i should try to fil for disablilty. I have copd and chroi<a href="http://websearch01.mcclient.com/search.php?s=nc+disability+social+sercurity&rnd= fi8xni">Nc</a>
asthma. I can't hardly walk around the house without getting out of
breath. I take around 8 breathing treatments a day. I can't work
because i go into asthma attack after asthma attack. I feel like i am
trapped in my body. I have no income becasue i just can not work. I am
only 27..so i heard it would be hard to get approved. I am also
depressed. Do you think I should file. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 997
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 5:21 pm: |
|
Yes
you have a good chance at a disability claim. 8 treatments is a lot.
You are young, and that does make it a little harder; you will have to
prove your claim.
If you cannot work, or miss a lot, you should seriously consider filing. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 9:30 am: |
|
Hi
I am a 50 year old female who had breat cancer, has type II diabetes
with sensory neuropathy, retinopathy and now have been dx with asthma.
I had been exercising to help bring the sugar under control but with
the asthma I can't do as much. They keep increasing my insulin but so
far no help. The neuropathy is very painful in my feet and now in my
finger and my job is dataentry so this makes it difficult. The
retinopathy makes it hard to use the computer which I work with
everyday because I have blurred vision also due to the sugars being
elevated. Now with the asthma I cough consistantly sometimes until I
pass out. And I can only walk short distances because I am so short of
breath. I don't sleep at night because of the pain in my feet and I was
wondering about disability? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1116
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 8:24 pm: |
|
If
you can back all that up you sound disabled to me. If you cannot walk
much, type, or write, see reliably, and if you pass out on a fairly
frequent basis, there is not much you can do. I think you have a good
shot at it.
It is not clear to me whether you are now working. If so, please see my suggestions here: First Steps As I Begin to Have Problems Working. Take care. |
Peggy D. (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 6:02 pm: |
|
Hi,
I am 54 years old with severe asthma and on 9 medications.I had my
disability hearing yesterday, after being turned down twice. The judge
said, In Nov. 2004 my breathing test was 1.34. I have been off work
over two years and trying to get disability with my back pay. The judge
says I need to come up with lower breathing test #'s to qualify me. I
had two test the year before that were 1.60 and 1.61. In your opinion
do I qualify? |
Peggy D. (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 6:12 pm: |
|
con't..
I failed to tell you that I am on oxygen 24hours a day. I take
approximately 6-8 breathing treatments a day, and use my rescue inhaler
about 3-6 times daily. I have degenerative arthritis, with bone on bone
in my right knee. My orthopedic Dr. says I need a knee replacement, but
no Dr. wants to do it with my lung problems. I am a coumadin patient
because of repeated phylbitis and also DVT in 2003. At my hearing my
representative did not talk with the judge about any of my other
ailments...only the asthma and lung problem. Maybe he thought I would
get my disability on the lung issue. I feel that my hearing was not
complete. I really don't want to appeal again. I am also suffering
depression. I have fibromyalgia as well. Can you please give me any
advice that will help my case. I live in Texas and the laws my vary
from your state. Please help! Thanks! Peggy |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1115
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 8:09 pm: |
|
Peggy:
Your representative is in a much better position than I am to say
whether you won your case or not. Those breathing test numbers are not
enough by themselves, but you have a lot of other problems. If you are
disabled, you should appeal if denied in most cases. |
marilyn malley (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 3:25 pm: |
|
I
have had asthma since birth with chronic asthma. I also suffer from
depression and have anxiety attacks to the point I'm no longer able to
drive. Recently I have been diagnosed with copd. I have never smoked.
I'm on combivent and advair inhalers and singular and I'm still having
a hard time breathing. I cannot no longer take breathing treatments
because they raise my heart rate up to high and takes the doctors a
long time to get my heart rate to go down usually a couple days in the
hospital. I have filed with social security and they are sending me to
different doctors. I can't work at all any more. We have no income at
all, my husband had a double bypass and after three years the doctors
still say he can't go back to work and has been turned down by social
security many times. what is a family suppose to do? what do you think
my chances on getting disability? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1113
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 7:57 pm: |
|
The
long delay is a horrible problem for many. There is a page on my site
where I suggest everything I can think of to help get through that
time, but my ideas are limited, and there will probably be an
irreducible period of misery. But you can get through it, and you must
take aggressive steps protect your family as best you can in the mean
time.
How long it takes and how to speed it up:
http://www.carolina-disability.com/discus/messages/654/654.html
Should I despair?
http://www.carolina-disability.com/discus/messages/619/619.html
Be
sure you are going to a helpful doctor and hire a lawyer, particularly
for your husband. This is my rationale why you should do this:
http://www.carolina-disability.com/discus/messages/632/632.html
There
is more on the website that will be helpful; look around. If you live
in the Carolinas give me a call. Take care. Don't despair; it will be
rough, but if you do the right things in a while things will get better. |
fhmills (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 2:11 pm: |
|
I
write on behalf of my 54 y.o husband who was recently diagnosed with
COPD. He is a disabled Vietnam vet receiving meager benefits from the
govt. He also has type I diabetes (requiring insuling), hypertension,
retinopathy, neuropathy and hep C. Would he qualify for disability? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1305
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 - 10:27 am: |
|
Ms. Mills: Possibly. He should gather his medicals and show them to a lawyer if he wants a definite answer. Take care. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 7:13 pm: |
|
Im asking this mainly because Im nervous and probably just need some support but here it goes anyway.
I have many problems which I will list here starting with my physical problems.
Torn rotator cuff
Torn cartlige in knee
Degenerative spine disease
degenerative joint disease (ankle)
Asthma
Severe sleep apnea
Because of these conditions and my weight (400lbs) my pulmanologist will not let me be operated on at this time.
I also had a phychological evaluation done that showed the following
1.Bipolar 2
2.Generalized Anxiety Disorder
3.Obsesive Compulsive disorder
4.ADHD
5. Personality disorder with avoidant and obsessive and compulsive traits.
I go up for a hearing next month or in Sept at the latest I was told....do my chances sound good?..Im 33..almost 34 |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1304
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 - 10:26 am: |
|
You
have a lot of diagnoses that together well might add up to disability.
But I cannot begin to answer your question because of what your
question leaves out, which is what limitations you have as a result of
each condition; whether your doctors agree; whether they have put their
agreement in writing; whether there are any other doctors who disagree;
and who your judge is. If you don't have a lawyer, get one and get your
limitations proved. Take care and good luck. |
PAM CHIPLEY (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 9:18 am: |
|
I
AM A 45 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND I AM A CUSTODIAN AT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. AND
IN DANGER OF LOSING MY JOB THAT I LOVE. BUT I HAVE WENT FROM 2 JOBS TO
1 JOB AND NOW JUST PART TIME. I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED RECENTLY AFTER
NUMEROUS STAYS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH LUPUS, SHOGRENS SYNDROME, COPD,
GERD, HIATUS HERNIA, RUPTURED DISC, BONE SPURS ON THE THE NERVE OF MY
TAILBONE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW I HAVE BEEN
OFF WORK FOR 3 WEEKS. WHAT I HAVE A GREAT DOCTOR AND HE AGREES WE
SHOULD APPLY FOR DISABILITY BUT I AM SCARED. WHAT DO YOU THINK I SHOULD
DO |
| |
