Jennifer,
whatever you do, DO NOT fill out a new application!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you do appeal it, and down the road you get approved (even if it takes 10-20 months) they BACK PAY you for all that time. but if you file a brand new application, that does not apply and you only get "credit" for the time you file that second application. Here's some stuff from the Social security website:
(Paste this into your browser) http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm
Then you want to go to 3.00 RESPIRATORY, and then 3.04 Cystic Fibrosis. If you don't MEET all of these 3 listings exaclty, sometimes they rule in your favor if you meet part of two of them, or have a combination of digested problems as well. That is called "equaling" a listing. Because CF is a disease with so many different aspects and things it effects, there are many things that they need to consider when deciding your case. But you have to make that clear to them, they aren't going to do the research so you have to. Also look in the digestion listing (5.00) to see if you meet any of that.
3.04 Cystic fibrosis. With:
A. An FEV1 equal to or less than the appropriate value specified in table IV corresponding to the individual's height without shoes. (In cases of marked spinal deformity, see. 3.00E.);
or
B. Episodes of bronchitis or pneumonia or hemoptysis (more than bloodstreaked sputum) or respiratory failure (documented according to 3.00C, requiring physician intervention, occurring at least once every 2 months or at least six times a year. Each inpatient hospitalization for longer than 24 hours for treatment counts as two episodes, and an evaluation period of at least 12 consecutive months must be used to determine the frequency of episodes;
or
C. Persistent pulmonary infection accompanied by superimposed, recurrent, symptomatic episodes of increased bacterial infection occurring at least once every 6 months and requiring intravenous or nebulization antimicrobial therapy
There is a "table" on the website I posted that shows the FEV requirements.
My husband also kept a 2 month log of all his activities including, when he woke up, anytime he ate, any time he did his meds including time to clean the nebulizer and reuse, any chest pt, any naps, any time spent on homework (he did not and does not work), anytime he got sick (threw up) any and all coughing attacks and duration including anything that might have provoked it. If you are interested in seeing the layout that we used for the judge, I would be happy to email it to you. It was very effective for our case to have this informatoin. We also included his activities throughout the night, when he got up to eat, coughing attacks, periods of time he couldn't sleep.
Julie
