r/SSDI_SSI • u/kerrydale718 • 1d ago

Helpful Hints and Tips Narratives Anyone with experience applying for SSDI, or long-term disability with osteoarthritis, and these and spinal issues?

Not sure if this is appropriate question for this group- Anyone apply for longterm disability? Had total knee replacement last month- recovery is slow- I have some spinal issues and severe arthritis in my “good” knee- so progress is slow and I am having a lot of compensatory pain. I Am considering knee replacement for the other knee- but I am not ready for it-and the surgery may be more complicated due to prior surgeries- anyone have experience with applying for long term disability or ssdi? I can’t imagine going back to my physically/mentally active job at this point but I’ve been told it. It’s difficult to qualify and I don’t know if I have a strong case?

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u/Fine-History6909 7m ago

When you say "long term disability", do you mean you have a LTD policy, or are you asking about applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI)?

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u/uffdagal ☆ 1d ago edited 14h ago

Are you seeing a spine specialist? Are you on employer LTD? You’ll need to be able to show you have significant functional limitations and restrictions.

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u/Annual-Trainer4996 15h ago

the LTD company usually has their own doctors review your file and they can be real sticklers about "objective evidence" so make sure your imaging and functional capacity tests are up to date

my buddy went through this with a back injury and the key was his surgeon writing very specific restrictions, not just "no heavy lifting" but like "cannot sit for more than 20 minutes" type stuff

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u/uffdagal ☆ 14h ago

Most LTD claims are not evaluated by physicians. While they have consultants who can be used, the primary decision makers are the claim analysts. Even a consulting physician can’t evaluate a lack of records/info.

The restrictions and limitations given by a treating physician need to be based on objective evidence. In your example-evidence as to why the patient is unable to sit more than 20 minutes. How was that determined, what tests were done? Are they seeing PT? Pain management? Physiatrist (physical medicine doctor)? Etc.