Finally ... SSDI approved!!

[KathyB]

Well, I wouldn't have believed it, but I was officially approved for SSDI! It took 7 months for their decision, but I was approved on my first try and without anything but medical records and my application! What a huge relief for us and a validation of the significant nature and effects of WG. My lead doctor was deposed last week and described how much my body has been through since diagnosis and how remarkable it is I am able to function at all. He reiterated how many times my life has been in jeopardy and at the permanency of WG. He was tremendous throughout the interview process and totally supportive of disability status. (I wasn't surprised, just grateful for his strong showing of support.) So now we are putting together the rest of the letters of support outlining my condition, my job, and my new life. Next step = an informal hearing with an impartial disability attorney (hired by the Virginia Retirement System) who will meet me, gather additional evidence, and listen to one more witness "in person" describe how the duties of my former job would be impossible for me to accomplish. Then the attorney renders his opinion and presents it back to the VRS for their final decision. The feeling of "validation" for our disease and the impact it has on our lives was incredible. My hope is alive! Keep those thoughts and prayers coming!
KB

[HopeinTN]

That is great news. Congrats!

[Pete]

Great news, Kathy. Maybe the decreased stress in your life will lead to your having lesser symptoms.

[Debbie C]

Great to hear Kathy,but why do you have to go though all that other stuff if it's approved ?

[mishb]

Congratulations Kathy.

Onwards and upwards......bring on 2013, that will be a little be easier with the stress off your mind

[drz]

Usually SSDI is one of the tougher ones to get. Our State disability sort of piggy backed upon SSDI. If you got that, then the other was usually easy.

[annekat]

Oh, Kathy, that's so great! I wonder, too, why you have to go through more stuff if it's approved. I also wonder why I got it so easily when as I remember, you are in worse shape than I am. Maybe something to do with your work, your state, whatever.... but I don't think my doctors had to sit down for any interviews before any attorneys, etc., although I guess they must have given some information, but we never even talked about it. I kind of wonder if the ladies in my local office tweaked my case in my favor or something... we should all be so lucky.... HOWEVER, I DO feel justified in getting it. I recently worked at a temporary seasonal job for a week and did fine, but was absolutely WIPED OUT for days afterwards! I'm still feeling it, plus after my nine-month 2012 season of making and selling pottery, for not very much money, of course..... I slept for 3 weeks! So, if I had a "real job", my fatigue would be a problem, along with my frequent coughing. Enough about me! I'm very happy for you and hope that if you haven't worked for awhile, you will also get a chunk of retroactive benefits! Keep us posted!

[KathyB]

Great to hear Kathy,but why do you have to go though all that other stuff if it's approved ?

Hi Debra -- they are two different systems. VRS is our retirement system for state employees. I recently learned that Ohio educators only put into the state system and not social security so their benefit is only with the state. Not sure about other states. SSDI and VRS have their own applications and reviews. I would hope one's approval would impact the other, but we'll see.

KB

[annekat]

Hi Debra -- they are two different systems. VRS is our retirement system for state employees. I recently learned that Ohio educators only put into the state system and not social security so their benefit is only with the state. Not sure about other states. SSDI and VRS have their own applications and reviews. I would hope one's approval would impact the other, but we'll see.

KB

So does this mean that at some time in your life, you did pay into SSDI, so can collect it now that you are approved, and can, we hope, use the approval as credence to get benefits from the state system, too? I'm guessing that's the jist of it, and no doubt, different states' systems work differently. In any case, things are looking up!

[KathyB]

Oh, Kathy, that's so great! I wonder, too, why you have to go through more stuff if it's approved. I also wonder why I got it so easily when as I remember, you are in worse shape than I am. Maybe something to do with your work, your state, whatever.... but I don't think my doctors had to sit down for any interviews before any attorneys, etc., although I guess they must have given some information, but we never even talked about it. I kind of wonder if the ladies in my local office tweaked my case in my favor or something... we should all be so lucky.... HOWEVER, I DO feel justified in getting it. I recently worked at a temporary seasonal job for a week and did fine, but was absolutely WIPED OUT for days afterwards! I'm still feeling it, plus after my nine-month 2012 season of making and selling pottery, for not very much money, of course..... I slept for 3 weeks! So, if I had a "real job", my fatigue would be a problem, along with my frequent coughing. Enough about me! I'm very happy for you and hope that if you haven't worked for awhile, you will also get a chunk of retroactive benefits! Keep us posted!

Thanks, Annekat! Like you, I have those "down" days after I've pushed too much. Today was one of those days. The state retirement system has denied me twice (initial and appeal). Their reasonsing: (1) WG isn't permanent (what??!), (2) I've shown clinical improvement (technically true since initial diagnosis and after the life-threatening pneumonia), (3) my job is sedentary (not even close!). My rheumy's deposition was to address #1 & #2. He was wonderful -- clear & concise and supportive of my disability status. Professional colleagues have submitted written statements to dispute #3. At the impartial hearing, the VRS hired disability attorney will also interview me. My lawyer says this is critical so they can see the person behind the application. He said it took him only a few minutes of talking with me to see the credible nature of my disability...the "believability" factor. I felt like the medical evidence alone should have supported the application and SSDI proved it to be true. The denial of the VRS really astounded me! But I have one more shot at it!

KB