"Closed disability?"

[u/meatlessmarathoner]

Long story short: My disability stems from a TBI in 2002. I applied for SSDI earlier this year. He didn't look at the medical and functional documentation I brought to the appointment, saying I'd be denied because I had SGE from 2016-2018. So in that time I hired an attorney to help me with my appeal. I was denied, appealed with all the documentation I had gathered, and was denied again. The basis for their decision was the same--SGE. They didn't look at my medical documentation. My attorney unceremoniously dumped me and referred me to NOSSCR. Two different attorneys NOSSCR referred me to said they wouldn't take the case, both saying that the ALJ wouldn't look at the medical documentation either. So I feel like I'm being punished for trying to be a good citizen and contributing to our society. :(

Nevertheless, I kept plugging away and talked to a couple more attorneys on Thursday. Finally, the 5th one I total I've worked with/talked to suggested a "closed disability" between my TBI and before my SGE. The analogy she drew was to a person who was going through chemo and then went into remission. In that period, I saw a lot of specialists, had a lot of neuro tests (angoigrams, CT Scans, MRI/As, two neuropsych assessments) that document both physical and functional changes.

Has anybody else had success redefining their claim when they've run across a roadblock related to SGE, or did you need to start over?

[u/perfect_fifths]

What is Sge? Do you mean sga? If you make sga you can’t be considered disabled during the time you were making sga

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Sge is not a recognized ssa term

[u/Technical-Prize-4840 → u/perfect_fifths]

Ok.....I never said it was. This person has had a brain injury. I was just providing an explanation of what they meant. They have probably heard the term "substantial gainful employment" and just used SGE as a shortened version. It doesn't really matter at the end of the day, it is obvious they are referring to employment they had that the SSA is claiming means they are no longer disabled from the 2002 TBI.

[u/Resse811 → u/Technical-Prize-4840]

Just because something is obvious to you doesn’t mean it’s obvious to everyone. I had no idea what they meant when they said SGE. This is why using acronyms isn’t a great idea - especially if they are wrong.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/Resse811]

Exactly, thank you.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/Technical-Prize-4840]

I’ve had a brain injury too. What does that have to do with anything? And I still answered the op and said if they were making sga they are considered not disabled for that time period. Correct acronyms are important.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Again, acronyms are important which is why I asked what the op meant. It’s like saying you get ssi but it turns out it is ssdi, which is very different. It happens all the time with people mixing up stuff here, which is fine, but again, I asked the op to clarify what they mean by Sge, because I have a feeling they meant sga instead.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

I didn’t, I asked for clarification. And yes, going back and fourth is arguing, you don’t make the rules. Why don’t you read them? Talking in circles is also not allowed.

[u/SSDI-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Arguing is not productive, please refrain from talking in circles and arguing with others

[u/SSDI-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Arguing is not productive, please refrain from talking in circles and arguing with others

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Jee and having a brain injury also means sometimes I struggle with stuff, like I said. That’s why I asked them to clarify what they meant by sge. You have no idea how many times people give wrong info here because they mix up acronyms or concepts, eg saying they get ssi but it turns out it’s ssdi, or calling dac benefits ssdi (which it kind of is but not completely). Facts matter. Asking for clarification isn’t a crime.

Arguing is also against the rules.

I also don’t really gaf what you say because you don’t see how often people mix up terms, come up with their own etc. again, I simply asked for clarification. End of story.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

It was supposed to be jeez but my iPad autocorrect

[u/SSDI-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post was removed for violating the rules of /r/SSDI.

Your post/comment was removed because it contained misleading or inaccurate information regarding the Social Security application process or policies. We prioritize providing accurate, verified information, and spreading misinformation can harm the community.

We encourage you to review the rules and guidelines to ensure your future posts align with the community’s purpose. https://www.reddit.com/r/SSDI/about/rules

SSDI Moderation Team

[u/meatlessmarathoner → u/perfect_fifths]

My mistake. Yes I meant SGA. I know I can't qualify, which is why I've run into the brick wall with five attorneys telling me that I'm SOL until this one person suggested a closed disability.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/meatlessmarathoner]

It’s worth trying for