UNBELIEVABLE!!!

[janetm2]

I have heard it can take more than one try to get approved and possibly help from a lawyer. I imagine this condition could be sadly harder due to lack of understanding.

[Karyn]

I'm so sorry about the denial, Helen. How disheartening and frustrating! Have you retained a laywer? Please don't give up. As others have mentioned, appeals are necessary, more often than not.

I cannot sit because of PN. I cannot stand for a long time because lumbar discs damage.

Do you have any documentation supporting the above? Either peer reviewed literature or doctors notes? Although, I don't recall reading anything, anywhere about "supportive devices" being a necessity for those conditions. Do you know what exactly their looking for? Cane? Walker? Wheel chair? Seat cushion?
Where do you stand with Dr. Conway? Did he provide you with a letter/office notes to submit to disability?
Hugs,
Karyn

[helenlegs 11]

Sorry to hear that Helen. As others have already said PLEASE do not give up. . . supportive devices!!! Who says they are supportive and with what condition? regarding PN are there any? and I'm sorry but I think that the USER is the one who will be able to say if they are supportive or not. Hopefully you can think of why any particular supportive devices referred to don't suit you. Even if you can't just keep on with it.
I am coming from a British perspective I know but most of our benefits are refused initially and almost half of the refused ones are accepted by an independent tribunal sometime later down the line.
They just HATE to make it easy for you. Good luck
Helen

[helen1000]

My doctor worked for Long Term Disability company. She had to quit because she could not tolerate nonsense of denials. For example, she had on her desk case of neurosurgeon who was in coma for 3 years. Doctor who reviewed his case before her claimed that ability of this patient were not impaired by his condition. When she tried to say that he could not do operations and will not be able to even when he comes out of coma she was punished.

In US, Helen, there is a law called ERISSA. Do not ask me what this abbreviation means. But in practice LTD does not pay lawyer's fees, moral damages etc. for wrongful denial. In court there is just your lawyer and lawyer of LTD company. Your lawyer cannot use information that became available after filing the case. For example you did 3T MRI after claim was filed and scar tissue found. Since it was after claim this information is irrelevant. LTD company can spy on you, make your pictures and make conclusions. One woman was sitting in chair after stroke in her swimsuit and LTD company concluded that she can work. This law is making LTD companies deny everyone initially. Then if you have character and good lawyer may be you will get something.

[helen1000]

Hello Karyn,

I do have MRI of my spine. I have EMG of my pudendal nerve. I visited Dr. Antolack, and Dr. Peters, and Dr. Conway. Despite of differences of their approach of treating PN they all say that I have it. My PT is saying that my internals are all big trigger point.

Supportive devices is just one example of garbage that they sent to my lawyer. For example they said that I exercise for 6 hours a day. It is true but I do low impact routine prescribed by my PT that for example requires to lie in some positions for 30 minutes. It is not like I am biking and pumping iron. I probably should publish this denial letter. It is full of such strange garbage that nobody would imagine that it could be invented.
My lawyer just filed case to federal court but it takes about 1 year to actually have your day there.