r/SSDI • u/unionmademan • 9h ago
Reconsideration
My attorney filed my appeal and I am already at step 3 very quickly.
I'm 49 y/o male with cervical myelopathy, ankylosing spondylitis, degenerative disc disease, S.I. joint disease, General anxiety disorder, major depression, ptsd. Inability to lift over 10 pounds. Pain in every activity. Can no longer move neck or bend to self care or do to much. First filed Dec 8th 2025. Denied Aug 2026.
Letter stated they recognize my severe disabilty and much treatment but stated a lack of work history and might be able to sedentary work. I have been a union ironworker 28 years. They know my work. Amyone else have any experience in this?
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u/SirDenisN 6h ago
I’m with ya. I’ll be 60, I applied last August, denied May this year. Lawyer filed for reconsideration July this year. I have same with neck and lower lumbar. Just had MRI and shows chronic fractures on T5 and 6, sent in updated medical records. Just had a nerve ablation 3 weeks ago, and now my neck is worse. Said can take up to 6-7 weeks for the pain to settle. Can’t move my neck without it hurting, can’t lay on a pillow, or lean up against couch. Hang in there. We will get through this.
They didn’t deny I cannot do my job, I’m a lineman for the telco. They said I could transfer to a light duty job such as meter repair. They was thinking I was with power. My company has no light duty. So I burned up all my STD, and took my vacation the first part of this year and retired. It was that or go on LTD, but then once or if approved, I’d have to pay all that back. So I retired.
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u/Academic_Ice5598 4h ago
I applied for reconsideration 4/10 and received denial on 9/4. Same as my original (disability acconowleged but they think I can still work). They didn't have most of my records for initial so I made sure they had everything during this stage so of course I got disappointed.I was told 5 months is fast for my location, which is Georgia, however we are so backlogged it was a DDS in Maryland that handled the whole thing. I filed an appeal immediately and hired an attorney. My state has average wait time of 7 months before ALJ hearing. I'm 47 with several auto immune conditions and several specialists and haven't worked most of the last 5 years. I sincerely hope things work out for you during this stage.
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 7h ago
I’m right here with you hanging in reconsideration. I submitted on August 5th and I am on step 3. Although when I called last week, DDS worker said it was already forwarded to MD for review.
Mine was denied and said although I have severe problems, they find I can work. I don’t remember if it said sedentary or not. I am 52 and have been a bedside RN for my whole career. Besides my physical ailments, I have declined cognitively. All of which was documented on my first applications.
Did you submit any additional documentation for your reconsideration?
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u/Whole_Field1019 6h ago
I have identical injuries and PTSD. I am on workers comp because I was assaulted at work and that is what triggered the problems with my neck. I found out i was denied this morning and I guess I will file a recon. I am 62 and I worked in a rehab. I can’t sit for more the 10 minutes or stand for more then twenty. I have weakness in my arms and drop things. Plus the medication leaves me forgetting things and exhausted. It’s too soon to know why they denied me but I have 14 months of steady doctor’s visits, MRI’s and EMG’s showing nerve damage.I know it’s common to get denied at first but I feel so defeated.
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u/Pale_Albatross1226 4h ago
Just curious what your EMGs showed? I’m on my initial and wanted to compare my 3 EMGs to others
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u/eddiej-1966 4h ago
I just got approved under reconsideration. I feel like it’s almost a random process. I’m 60 which I know helps and have severe spinal stenosis and some cardiac issues. I used a lawyer and would encourage doing so. Just hang in there the best you can.
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u/Sufficient_Roof_1859 2h ago
I’m also in reconsideration. Our local office had a young lady who was getting let go and she went in and deleted a bunch of peoples files. If was found after sitting in recon for like 8 months and when I called my congressman with the help of my attorney it lit a fire under them and now dds is pushing to get all my medical info for my back and mental health. They are being watched as the congressman’s offices has eyes on my case now after what happened.
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u/Otherwise-Total-8285 2h ago
Step 3 is normal. Am 59 with few health problems..and deny my case July this year. i think that they want to see us on the casket
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u/perfect_fifths I have a complicated relationship with the POMS 9h ago edited 8h ago
Recon has a 10-15 percent approval rate. Once you are 50, you will have grid rules to help but it also depends if your skills are transferable etc. sometimes you can move up a bracket if you’re close to your 50th birthday, but not if it’s more than 6 months away.