| Author |
Message |
    
Lisa Bordeau
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 10:57 am: | 
|
My husband was a self-employed painter/paper-hanger since 1980. He is
now 52 and suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. He finds he is unable to
work at his profession now. Would he qualify for disability? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 7:06 am: |
|
Lisa, if he has significant symptoms I would guess that he has a good
case. If he cannot work, he should apply and get an attorney. Be sure
his doctor is backing him up. |
brendab
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2001 - 6:36 am: |
|
I am 52 years old and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis approx. 2
years ago. I have worked for the past 5 years as an office manager and
a site coordinator, prior to that I was a program manager in a training
center for 10 years. My work history goes back to 1970 (consistently).
I recently stopped working due to the pain (May 31 was my last day). My
medications are Azulfadine, Celebrex, Monopril (for hypertension) and
Ultram (PRN) pain. I have been told I have worked long enough and have
enough points to qualify for Social Security. I would like to file for
disability benefits, but am hesitant. How do I proceed properly. What
do you suggest? do first? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2001 - 7:30 am: |
|
Brenda, as you get more managerial type skills, the fact that you have
difficulty using your hands and standing matter less; sometimes someone
with managerial skill can work despite such impairments. You are
probably going to have to show that you cannot perform purely
managerial type work.
If you had any choice about it an had
not stopped, I would have suggested that you talk to an attorney who is
good at this before you quit. As it is, you should do so right now.
And, be sure that your doctors are backing you up.
Take care and good luck. |
Nlambert
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 9:26 pm: |
|
I
was wondering if I would qualify for diability. I was diagnosed with
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 15 months old and have been
suffering from it ever since. I have been on various medications but
nothing seems to work. I am currently 20 years old but have never
really had a job. The JRA effects my knees and my ankles so it is
almost impossible to get a job without having to stand on my feet all
day. I was wondering what should I do? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 909
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 7:04 am: |
|
If
you are under 50, in most cases, and if you are over 50 in some cases,
you cannot get disabilty just because you have difficulty standing; the
Administration will say that you just need to get a sit down job.
But
rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease, and often when people come
into my office saying "I cannot work because I cannot stand," it often
turns out that they have more problems than that, and just haven't
thought about it. |
Brenda D. Mitchell (Sapphire9800)
New member
Username: Sapphire9800
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 7:39 pm: |
|
I
am a 45 year old female with a degree in Criminal Justice; I worked as
a 911 Operator for 5 years. Recently I earned two A.A.S Degree one in
Electrical, my last job was an Electrician. I was diagnosis with RA in
Jan 2000, and I have been on every RA medicine that has hit the market
including Remicade and Enbrel neither has work for me and my disease is
getting worse. I have been on Presidone for almost 5 years along with
methrex. and still no improvement. I file for disability in February
2004. I was denied twice of my age and education. I have 3 doctor fill
out RFC forms and all 3 declared me totally disable and SS ME disagreed
with my doctors concerning my limitations. All three Rheum. are from
different clinic include Duke Medical Center; the ME never gave a
reason as to why he disagreed with my doctors. I have had surgery on my
knee and now they want to fuse my left hand because of the
deterioration of the joints and bones. What advise can you give me?
Some
day I can barely walk because it has affected my hips also, basically I
have arthritis in every major joint, my ankles never stop swelling and
I am tired of getting injection in them to get the swelling down. To
give you some examples of what I go through daily: If I go grocery
shopping I can only be on my feet 15 minutes before I start swelling,
typing this letter I had to go back and edit because my hand start
hurting and swelling, if I sit for a period of time my neck and back
starts hurting therefore I must get up every 45 minutes to an hour to
relieve the pain. Also I am on 20 mg of oxycotin 2x per day and also my
doctor just put me on anti depression medication, some days all I can
do is sleep and if I do not take them I am up all night in pain,
whereas I end up having to take prescribe sleeping pills. If I refuse
the injections will that be held against me in my hearing? What else do
I need for my case; I keep a journal of my illness. Do I need that for
my hearing? Also I can not perform any of the jobs I have done and the
last 15 years, I have viewed my records at the SSA Office and I saw
where they have recommended other jobs for me such quality control
which would require me to lift and use my hand and wrist constantly.
Where do I go from here, it seem like the more disable you are the
harder it is to prove. I have well documented medical records from Duke
and the Durham VA, along with my Rhem. in Rocky Mount. |
Dawn (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 10:07 am: |
|
I
am a 27 year old that was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Fibromyalgia 7 years ago. I have not worked since being laid off from
my office job 18 months ago.
Since having a baby in November
my arthritis has seemed worse and I am always tired. I planned on going
back to work by now, but I can not sit at my computer for long periods
of time because my hands and arms ache worse than ever.
I did
not have many problems working before, but I was always tired. During
the time I had off work before I got pregnant, I had aches and pains,
but not nearly as bad as while I was working.
I have a degree
and I heard I will probably have a hard time getting disability because
of my education. I am currently trying a new medication, but it will be
a few months before I know whether it is working.
Do I have any chance of getting disability?
Do I need to discuss applying for disability with my Rheumatologist? (i am kind of embarrassed about it) |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1043
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 7:41 am: |
|
Q. Do I have any chance of getting disability?
A.
That's easy to answer; you have a chance. It is harder to say whether
you will win a claim. Rheumatoid is a serious disease. On the other
hand, there are some new medications that sometimes give dramatic
results.
Q. Do I need to discuss applying for disability with my Rheumatologist? (i am kind of embarrassed about it)
A.
You must get over your embarrassment and discuss this. It is almost
impossible to win a disability claim without your doctor's help. If you
are pursuing such a claim, you must be sure you are going to a doctor
who is strongly on your side.
Q. I have a degree and I heard I will probably have a hard time getting disability because of my education.
A.
That makes it harder but not impossible. The charm of a good education
is that when your body stops working you can often continue by doing
work that calls on your mind only, and work is almost always better
than disability.
The challenge with a good education is that,
to show you cannot do such work, you often have to show that you cannot
put in a full 8 hours at even the most sedentary activity. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1045
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 2:29 pm: |
|
Q. If I refuse the injections will that be held against me in my hearing?
A. If you refuse injections, to be safe you should get a doctor to say that they would not enable you to attend work.
Q. What else do I need for my case?
A. If you have been turned down once, hire an attorney.
Q. I keep a journal of my illness. Do I need that for my hearing?
A. It will almost certainly help.
Q.
Also I can not perform any of the jobs I have done and the last 15
years, I have viewed my records at the SSA Office and I saw where they
have recommended other jobs for me such quality control which would
require me to lift and use my hand and wrist constantly.
A. Which is ridiculous.
Q. Where do I go from here?
A.
There is something that you are missing and ou cannot figure out what
it is. You need to hire an attorney who has been there before and knows
what it might be.
You have serious problems and you should
pursue your case vigorously. I cannot imagine that you are going to be
able to go back to work. |
ladycarpenter (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 3:18 pm: |
|
I
am turning 50 in May. I was injured at work in Sept 03. Because of the
injury, treatment, rehab etc, I ended up with a total knee replacement.
I am still having problems with the knee. I am scheduled for more
surgery for the scar tissue and other problems in it. Workers comp
stopped my TTD last week after sending me for a second opinion. That
Dr. said that my knee replacement was the result of preexisting
arthritis not the injury and that I could only go back to work on a
"modified basis" and recommended a Functional Capacity evaluation. My
"good" leg has a lot of arthritis in it now. I cannot even go halfway
up a flight of stairs without stopping because of the pain. I am a
heavy and highway bridge carpenter, a very hard physical job. I know
that I cannot handle the physical requirements of my job anymore.
Carpentry and Laboring are all I have done for the last 15 years. I am
wondering what my chances would be if I filed for disability |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1135
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 10:01 pm: |
|
Yes
you have a pretty good chance. Once you turn 50, if you cannot return
to your old work and have no transferrable skills, and have not done
sedentary work, you shold be found disabled. Take care and good luck. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 8:23 am: |
|
I
have rheumatoid arthritis. I have had it for about 10 years. I am 55
yrs old. I work at at insurance company in which I take calls for std
& ltd questions on claims. I set the claims up. These requires alot
of typing and writing. I sit all day and anwser phones. I also have
trigger fingers and trouble with my knees and feet hurting. My hands
and wrist hurt 95% of the time. I graudated from high school. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1059
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 1:46 pm: |
|
Anonymous
with rhemetoid arthritis: You have a tricky claim. If you cannot do
other work that calls for less use of your hands, I would sit down with
my doctor and lawyer and plan carefully before I quit work. A job at a
company with full benefits is a valuable thing, and I would not give it
up lightly.
The rest of these comments involve too much
guesswork to rely on in any way except as suggestions for further
investigation by someone who knows all the facts: Rheumatoid is a
serious disease, and many people who have it are disabled. It
particularly likes to inflame the wrists, so I would guess that you
will be able to prove that typing is out. At 55, you can win your case
if you can prove you are limited to light work and have no
transferrable skills. You do have a lot of skills. The remaining, hard
question is whether they are transferrable to other work. I cannot
answer that question based on what you have told me. If you cannot get
through an 8 hour day at the most sedentary work that calls for little
use of the hands, certainly you would have no transferrable skills. |
Cmbeers (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 8:09 am: |
|
Hello,
I am a 32year old male. I have had Rheumatoid arthritis since I was 26.
I graduated high school, have a degree in heavy equipment repair, and a
degree in machine shop. I have done heavy equiment mechanical work for
a few years and for the past 9 years I have been a truck driver.
My arthritis has gotten to the point that I am having major problems
working. I cannot take the bouncing around and I am having problems
getting in and out of the truck. All my skills are in mechanical and
driving trucks/equipment. I have problems typing because of the
swelling in my hands. It seems that every type of schooling that I had
worked hard at is now useless.
My doctor suggested last week that
I look into disibility. My Dr. just got my results of an MRI that I had
done and said that I need surgery on both knees because of torn
minicus. On top of the Rheumatoid and torn minicus,my dr. said that I
now have severe ostioarthrities in my left knee. |
Cmbeers (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 8:10 am: |
|
So
now I'm at a loss. I know that I cannot continue to do any work for
which I am qualified, I cannot do work which involves typing, and I
cannot stand for more than 15 minutes at a time.
I applied for
OVR help about 3 years ago and was approved right away. I went to a few
meeting with my caseworker and then I decided to contnue working
because my condition, at that time, was improving.
I have 6
months of short term disability at my work but I'm trying to figure out
if I will get approved within the 6 months or not. Regardless, I do not
have much choice and will be applying anyhow. I am just trying to
figure out if I can keep my house while I wait for the decision or if I
should sell it so I have money while I ride this SSD rollercaoster out.
I understand that you cannot give a definite answer, but I would like
an educated one.
Since I was approved for the OVR services a few years ago will that help in this matter?
Thank you,
Chris |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1170
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 5:57 am: |
|
Mr.
Beers: Rheumetoid is a serious disease. It is a good idea for anyone
with it to try to learn a trade that involves zero physical exertion,
for reasons that you make obvious. To answer a question you didn't ask,
if you can, in the long run it might be a good idea to try to get such
an education. Of course at any job you need to be able to show up
regularly.
Q. I have 6 months of short term disability at my
work but I'm trying to figure out if I will get approved within the 6
months or not.
A. At 32, it is possible but unlikely. It is
ok to hope for a quick favorable decision, but I will not permit you to
plan on it.
Q. Regardless, I do not have much choice and will be applying anyhow.
A. Right. The second you stop working, however briefly, you must file.
Q.
I am just trying to figure out if I can keep my house while I wait for
the decision or if I should sell it so I have money while I ride this
SSD rollercaoster out.
A. It depends on how much money you
have saved, of course. It will not help you, but might help the next
person, to say this: When I was 14 I got a paper route, and could not
imagine what I would do with $40 a month. After a few months I was
broke again, and stayed broke for many years, no matter what my salary
was. This was foolish for me, and even more foolish for people who have
serious health problems. You must cut your expenses, right now,
ruthlessly so that you might have some sort of reserve. How long you
can last depends on the reserve. If you can get long term disability
insurance somehow, get it, even though it is probably too late.
If
you want to know how long the whole process will take, sit down with a
local attorney who handles a lot of these cases in your area, where the
time to a hearing will be different from mine, but this will give you a
rough idea: In my region in 2005 it is taking about 3-6 months at the
initial level, an additional 3-6 months at the reconsideration level,
and an additional 13-19 months to get to a hearing. It would be
unusual, but possible, for someone as young as you to win at the
initial level.
Get the medical records yourself and that will
speed things up at the initial level. Hire a lawyer and that will
increase your chances at the initial level. If you can save your house
by doing that, the cost of the lawyer, a percentage of the back time,
will be trivial.
Q. I understand that you cannot give a definite answer, but I would like an educated one.
A. You have that right! Sit down and talk to a lawyer, right now, if you want an answer that is more definite.
Q. Since I was approved for the OVR services a few years ago will that help in this matter?
A.
I assume you mean Vocational Rehabilitation. They are supposed to help
people get back to work. If you can convince them this is a
possibility, they will help you. If they succeed, great. If they fail,
often their records will tend to show you are disabled. In other words,
ask. You might apply there before you file for Social Security, since
many VR counsellors think that people who are applying for Social
Security don't want to work. But don't delay more than a few weeks.
Take care and good luck. |
Sherry Davis (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 5:37 pm: |
|
I
am a 40 year old woman, I was diagnosed with RA last year, while i was
attending cosmetology school. The pain is worse than any pain I have
ever had. Thanks to the patience and understanding of my teacher I
managed to graduate, however if it had been a job I would have been
fired before I got started! Well now here I am and I cant do what I
went to school for, clients dont really care if Im sick or not. My
previous jobs were assembly work, nurses aide, and cashier , none of
which I can do now, Frankly I am scared. Is there any chance I can get
Disability at all? I filed today, and I dont know what will happen if i
get turned down. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1322
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 - 12:45 pm: |
|
Well,
yes, I can say that you have a chance. Rheumatoid arthritis is a
serious disease. To say more I would need to see your medical records
and talk to your doctor.
You need to take every step you can
to make it less likely that you will be turned down, and you need to
make plans for the long time it might take to get benefits, and you
need to try to get better and get back to work if you can. Take care. |
arthurhelp (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 10:43 pm: |
|
Hi,
I am 33 years old and was diagnossed with Fibromyalgia in 1998, left
hip dysplasia now full of osteo and needing replaceing in 1998, and RA
in 2004 which keeps my feet, ankles, and fingers swollen and sometimes
unbearable. My "good hip" hurts most of the time due to trying to stay
off of my "bad one". I am a phlebotomist, and EMT. I filed for
disability in 2003 and was denied. I filed for my hearing in December
2003 and have not heard anything about it as of today. I tried last
year to return to work less than 20 hours per week but, you go to bed
in pain toss and turn all night and get up feeling like you need to be
in a grave yard. I need some type of income I have three children a
husband and a mortgage. I need help. What can I do to expedite this
decision? Either way I can not return to work I can't promise anybody
anything from one day to the next. Did I even mention I am only 33 |
Marie Anderson (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 10:39 am: |
|
I
am a 48 yer old woman. I was diagnosed with RA in 97. It has progressed
more over the last 1 1/2 years. I've had carpel tunnel surgery and
various cortisone injections and am currently taking Placenil and
celebrex my rheumatoligist currently wants to start me on Methatrexate
(please pardon my spelling errors). The work I do is in horticulture
and is very physical. I previosly was a cake decorator and cannot do
that due to the problems with my hands and wrists. I have had to reduce
more work hours and this is affecting our family's finances. Would I
qualify for disabily or is there partial disability? Ny doctor has said
my job making my RA worse due to the stress on my joints. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 11:05 am: |
|
I
am a welder and was laid off because I had continuously missed work due
to severe wrist pain and a decline in the quality of my work. I had
been seeing a rhematologist prior to being laid off but did not
complete my diagnosis until after I was laid off. I was diagnosed with
moderate to severe RA in my right wrist and mild in my left. As a
welder I need to be able to hold my wrists steady and since I am right
handed and my right hand is much worse I can not do this. I have been
on medication for a few months now and it has decreased the amount of
flares I get but as far as my range of movement it is still severely
limited. I have no other skills and have been unable to obtain a job as
a welder since being laid off because of the poor quality of my work
due to my stiff wrist. The Dr. says that I have had this for years and
I have had pain off and on for years but now it is much more severe.
Should I file for disability and if I do would I have a good chance at
getting my claim for disability approved. I am enrolling in college to
find some other line of work but I really don't know what i can do. I
can't type at a computer and I can't weld or lift heavy objects. Any
suggestions? |
Lee Brawley (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 3:30 pm: |
|
continued post:
I had to go from being a nurse administrator giving patient care full time to a 24 hour week job at a desk in the hospital abstracting information from medical records. This job can be done by a non professional person and was prior to my taking it. the hospital admin. placed me in this position to help me and to keep me busy in effort to avoid further decline. Right now, of course, I am hurt and angry that they do not believe me when I have proof that I cannot perform the duties of the job I had when I applied for retirement disability. I can ask for a reconsideration within 30 days, but am so numb from denial, dont know where to go from here. Please help.
Thank you for your time. |
Lee Brawley (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 3:33 pm: |
|
First part of above post:oops
Dear Paul,
I am a 51 year old female registered nurse with Rheumatoid arthrits, fibromyalgia, diabetes, hyperlipedemia, and hypertension. Treated for all above. Treatments have produced stability except for the RA. diagnosed 5years and have progressively worsened. used to work daily and even two jobs. For last year, have worsened even on RA meds. RA doc has put on new TNF drugs which have not yet improved condition. Had to leave full time, well paying job in Sept04 and applied for SC state disability benefits. RA doc documented that he would support any claim of disability due to persistent flares of pain, fatique, and loss of joint movement. Anemia and increased platelet count are problem. Blood sugar stable with diet and medication. SC Determination Services, Voc. Rehab sent me to Orthopedist for exam in Jan. Informed me that my claim was denied because total and permanant disability was not proven. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 1017
Registered: 5-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 8:00 pm: |
|
Lee, If you are sure your docs are behind you, and I am pretty sure they are, appeal that claim and get a lawyer! There are many ways to beat a bad one time doc's opinion; for example by showing extensive objective data on which your treating based his opinion, that he did not have, and usually they don't give him everything.
Rheumatoid can be a bad disease, and if you have persistent joint changes and impairment despite treatment, and a treating that backs you, you have an excellent shot at it, even with your work skills. The key is to show that you cannot persist at even basic work.
(Message edited by admin on March 12, 2006) |
Brenda D. Mitchell (Sapphire9800)
New member
Username: Sapphire9800
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 01, 2006 - 2:30 pm: |
|
Hello Paul:
I originally posted my question on December 14, 2004. I finally recevied a hearing date for May 17, 2006. I was informed that there will be no expert witnesses, is this a good sign? I know my medical records were very detailed and my doctors record every incident from the beginning to the end. Will it be harder for me to prove my case without the expert witnesses for Social Security? |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 9:54 pm: |
|
My husband has RA dx 2003, then dx with stage 4 colon cancer feb 2004 (had colon surgery and 60% liver removed in 2004 plus chemo, etc.) he was approved for disability right away after the 5 month waiting period. They considered him terminal. As far as we know, all cancer has been removed. No chemo since July 05. he actually went back to work for a few months last year, but then got sick and had major abdominal surgery (again) for adhesions wrapped around colon. He has healed nicely from the cancer and surgeries, but still has problems with RA. |
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