Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Questions About USA Social Security Disability Benefits EVERY medical record necessary to apply for ssd?

Hi Rich, I'm starting the process of applying for disability, finally! I've gotten a recent diagnosis of AS and the rheumy is treating me with methotrexate, pain meds, flexeril, neurontin & recently prednisone for a flair. I'm B27 positive, the rest of my bloodwork looks pretty normal and my diagnostics are negative. I have a history of severe pain in Rt SI, hip, thigh, neck, stiffness, etc. This all started 2 1/2 years ago with lifting injury. At the time, all the docs I saw thought it was a disc problem. Long story short, I ended up at about 10 different drs, searching for answers. I had 3 epidural spinal injections, endoscopic surgery on L3/4 & L4/5. That didn't work so I began seeing a "prolotherapy" doc for the course of about 9 months. I also did extensive physical therapy. None of that worked. I finally realized what I thought I had to be AS and have finally gotten diagnosed by a wonderful rheumy. He is willing to help me apply for disability. My question is, is it necessary to list every single doctor I saw over the last 2 1/2 years, even if I only saw them once? Or should I just put down the pertinent ones? Any idea what the chances are for me to qualify, given my history and symptoms? (My work history is very physical- restaurant work mostly) It all seems so daunting but I really want to do it right. Does it make any difference if you apply online or is it better to make an appointment? I'm temporarily in California but live in Oregon. Does that matter?

I thank you so much for your feedback.

Jill

Hi, Jill. Sorry for the delay in responding to your post. I think that generally Social Security wants to know all of the doctor's one has seen, however, SSA generally wants medical evidence for the period commencing one year prior to the onset of the disability. I don't the extent of treatment or examination of all of the doctors you have seen so I cannot really specifically answer your question. I think that someone representing you in your claim would be able to better answer that question.

Regarding whether one should apply online or in person - I don't think it makes much of a difference, although I sometimes see notes in the Social Security file about what the SSA employee noticed about a claimant who applied in person, but generally it is the medical records and reports which are most important in these claims.

Let me know if you have further questions, Jill.

Rich