Disability

[Glennmaroney]

Well I have not been able to work since the last of October and looks like it will be at least another 6 weeks before I might see some improvement so I am looking into what is involved in getting Disability. From what I have read so far it is not something I am looking forward to. My short term memory is really getting bad but I do remember when I was in the service around 1984 I was told I had Reiters. I have sent for my records and if I can find that in there I should be able to get some amount of VA Disability.
I have been reading the old disability threads so I know some of you have tried to get on disability or have done so. Any thoughts, tips would be helpfull.

[Shawn116]

Hey there Glennmaroney,

First let me say welcome to the forum. I don't believe that we have met yet. I am so sorry that you are having a difficult time. You sound like me a little over a year ago. I had to stop working around Aug. of 05; it was a pretty scary time for me, as I'm sure it is for you now. It is good that you may be eligible for VA. I believe that they should take care of our veterans regardless of when they become disabled. As for the Social Security, unfortunately they have to weed out the ones that don't really need to be on it, so it does take a while to go through the process. I was sure that it would take me at least 3 years, but it only took a little over a year. Every case is different. Here are some things that might help with your journey. The first thing I would suggest is to have your doctor back you up. If you have more than one, ask them if they would support you too. (i.e.: PC, Rheumy, Derm. or any that you are seeing). Next keep good records of all Dr. visits, lab work, x-rays, tests and meds. (how they helped or not). Also it is a great help if you keep a daily log of how you feel, how your disability affects your daily life, what you can and cannot do. If you feel it, write it down. It will help you when you fill out the paper work, also it will help if you have to go before a Judge. It will help him/her to understand what it is like for you. Keep copies of all paper work that you fill out (even if you file online) you will have to fill out some more than once. Keep in mind that you will have to prove that you not only can do the job that you have been doing, but that you cannot do any job. For me, I don't know what was worse, the pain or the fatigue. I believe they both can be just as disabling. The NPF can send you a disability package that you can submit with your claim. In it there will be a sample doctor’s letter that will help your doctor to write a letter of support for you. Along with some literature that talks about p, pa and what it is like to have it. ( This was a great help for me) You can either call the NPF or just pm Alyssa_B and let her know that you need one. It will also be a great help to hire a lawyer, one that is familiar with the process. And finally the most important thing is to keep your chin up, and take care of yourself. You don't want to be too stressed and go into a flare. This forum is great place for support. It is just hard to replace talking to someone that really understands what you are going through. Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing, and feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

Good luck,

Shawn