My hubbie does have enough work credits to qualify for SSD, and I make too much for him to qualify for SSI. It's amazing what they deem as "too much". We origionally filed for SSD and SSI in October of 2002. They denied it so we requested a reconsideration, they denied that too. So now we have a hearing scheduled for December 10. and it's been 27 months since we started this thing, 20 months since we requested a hearing. And he hasn't worked since we filed.
One of the criteria for Cystic fibrosis is that you have to have cronic, recurrent pulmonary infections requiring nebulized or intravenouse medications at least once every 6 months. for the evaluation period that they are looking at, my husband had a lund infection every 3-4 months that required TOBI, so would that automatically qualify because he meets that one criteria. He doesn't meet the other criteria (height, Low pfts...) but we are having him tested for sleep apnea right now, and no dobut his appetite is an issue because he eats about every 2 hours regardless, I don't know any employer who is going to put up with someone needing a 12-30 minute snack break every 2 hours. And he is so tired during the day because he doens't sleep more than 2-3 hours strait a night, and he is unable to focus for very long-all signs and symptoms of hypoxia from sleep apnea. And the social security rule specifically states that just becaus someone doesn't meet the criteria, doesn't mean their claim is denied. They have to gather all the effects that CF has on a persons body and determine if all those combined are as "bad" as one of their criteria.
I am surprised that they haven't sent him to one of their doctors yet. they also aren't calling a medical expert to our hearing, just a vocational expert. Our lawyer said that leads him to believe that they dont think much about our case. I don't care what the administrative law judge thinks, hes not a doctor. We had our lawyer request one to be at the hearing to interpret the things the judge might not be able to understand.
What do you think? Any other advice, from you Jim or anyone is welcome.
Thanks,
Julie