Reply #45: Everything counts

[oneold1-4u]

For me it was loss of strength and dexterity of right arm/hand due to carpal tunnel syn.,stayed working, over 50% loss of hearing in both ears,kept working, left knee surgery,back to work, and final was back surgery for lumbar arthritic deposits and disc degeneration of L3/L4. The medical records were over a 15 year period and had to all be collected and presented first to SS and then to a lawyer after the refusals, along with recommendations from both primary and ortho for leaving the work force (any reasonable income). Within 3 weeks of acquiring a lawyer to represent me, I had my claim accepted back to the first day the Doctor took me off the job. The lawyer received 25% of my back benefit claim but it was a bargain.
All of my medical was also paid back through all the doctors, tests, and back surgery and therapy. You do have to eat the first 6 months of your claim even if you are paralyzed! The only option for all the non-employable months is your state welfare and food stamps. You can't live on that without some support from family, friends, or other form of charity.
Do seek an attorney who handles SS claims and follow through with all of his instructions to get records of every physical injury and impairment that you have ever had. Have your sight and hearing
checked, get blood test for diabetes, and make sure that your lawyer has all records. His presentation to SS can often be enough to avoid any hearing.