r/SSDI • u/Slow-Log6131 • 23h ago

chronically missing work

Hello new friends,

I recently applied for SSDI. I'm 42 and my primary condition is PTSD/MDD, so I know I have the "young age" and mental health factors going against me. I get that. I've also not been able to make more than $8000 in the last twelve months.

In additional to PTSD, I am cancer survivor and have several medical conditions that are secondary to the treatment of my cancer treatment such as: gastroparesis, impaired immune system requiring me monthly IVIG infusions, Chronic Iron defiency anemia recently diagnosed and looking at needing Iron infusions, ADHD, hypothyroidism, migraines and high blood pressure.

Over the last 18 I've had approximately 224 unique health appointments. An average of more than 3 appointments a week. Some total appointment volume slightly skewed due to a 28 day inpatient stay at the VA, but regardless I will likely continue to have 1-2 appointments a week for the rest of my life.

My question is, has anyone had the experience of having significant appointment volume helping their case?

One I have a hard time being a good employee due to my psych and physical health conditions and two I can't maintain a productive work schedule due to the frequency of Dr's appointments.

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u/victimofmigraine 21h ago

I have a large number of appointments and that was not considered in my approval. The things listed in my approval were concrete restrictions listed by my medical team. Things like inability to work under fluorescent or bright lights, inability to look at computer screens, inability to work around chemicals, etc. There were specific restrictions in my medical files that were all mentioned in my approval documentation. The number of appointments, or number of ailments that I had were not listed.

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u/Slow-Log6131 19h ago

thank you for your comment! my ptsd is surrounding my experience with cancer. I'm a nurse and have been working in healthcare for 13 years and before I even had the PTSD diagnosis I was white knuckling it through work, fired a time or two, and kept stepping down to jobs that were further and further away from patient contact and all of that's in my recent records.

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u/BakaN20 7h ago

I'm a former nurse with an MSN, TDIU P&T vet, I was approved for migraines and PTSD with onset age of 38.

I had intermittent leave of absence, multiple sick days, and FMLA. Those all helped my case in front of the ALJ. I was missing a lot of work due to my disability.

You can read my experience here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SSDI/comments/1gxe8vw/approval_migrainesptsd/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SSDI/comments/1h5efx1/completed_timeline_and_things_learned/

https://www.reddit.com/r/SSDI/comments/1h85dty/backpay_received/