Social Security Disability Advice Group

I applied for SSD in early May. Was sent two appointments to go on to see docs chosen by SSA. I have neurally mediated syncope (I pass out several times a day, without warning and there is no treatment) and I'm Bipolar. All diagnosed. My husband even had to quit his job and we had to move in with my mom so she could help with our two small children. I have passed out going up stairs (got a concussion and broken ankle out of it).

I went to the first one June 27 and he examined me for my NMS. I thought it went well. He was very nice and even told me there used to be a medicine for my disorder but they took it off the market bc it wasn't making money.

My second appointment was scheduled for July 19 with a psychiatrist but I got a letter in the mail saying that it was cancelled and there wasn't anything I needed to do. They called my husband to tell him it was cancelled, they didn't call me for some reason.

I called to check the status on Monday and they said a decision had been made and I should get a letter stating what the decision was. They couldn't tell me over the phone of course.

A cancelled appointment, is it a good or bad sign?

The DDS is instructed to curtail development if they have sufficient evidence to allow a claim. They don't keep getting more evidence just to make the record perfect. Otherwise, the QA people charge them with an error of overdevelopment.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0422501001

DI 22501.001 General - Case Development Procedures

It could be good or it could be that they got enough medical evidence fron your 1st appointment what is your age if you dont mind also is this for your first response for your ssdi claim?

The original poster's medical severity is being determined at this time.

Age doesn't enter into the adjudicative scheme until the last step in sequential evaluation. More specifically, after they have determined that you are not working or not working above the SGA limit and you have a severe impairment that falls short of the medical Listings yet does prevent the performance of past work, then they evaluate age, along with education, work background, and residual functional capacity are evaluated to decide if you can do other work.

http://ftp.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-1520.htm

(...)

(v) At the fifth and last step, we consider our assessment of your residual functional capacity and your age, education, and work experience to see if you can make an adjustment to other work. (...)

(...)

I know that age dose not come into play until the last step. But as you know the younger you are the harder it is to get ssdi unless you meet a listing. If you don't meet a listing than Its up to you and your medical records and doctors to show that you are disabled because as you know age plays a big part in this.

If they haven't taken a 3369 from the poster yet, it suggests that a decision has been reached at steps 2, 3, or 4 which doesn't include age. As for the original question, I would lean toward a cautious optimism, because if the info we received from poster is correct, i.e., two separate impairments have been established, both of them originally required CEs which means that repts. from his/her treating MD did not contain enough detail one way or the other, then one was cancelled, it suggests that the syncope condition tipped the scales. They will not deny a case where one of the impairments has not been fully developed, but they will allow a case. - - J

Well, I was denied. This is my first denial. I'm 26 and I was diagnosed in Sept. 2009 with Neurally mediated syncope and diagnosed in Feb as Bipolar. I haven't worked since Sept of 09.

In Feb, I was diagnosed as Bipolar by a psychiatrist at an outpatient clinic but given follow up instructions elsewhere. We moved 2 hours away so I went to a mental health clinic. I only saw a case worker and my first appointment to see a psych is Aug 23. It looks like they used the case worker's opinion instead of waiting for the psych's opinion?

Oh well, I'm appealing. I can't drive. I can't stand for more than 5 minutes without passing out. I qualify for a medical alert dog and I'm on the waiting list. I don't understand why they would deny me.

On your appeal request, stress the point that your mental status was not properly evaluated and that SSA even scheduled then inexplicably cancelled a psych exam. You didn't state the reason for denial: not severe impairment, able to do past work, or not able to do past work but can do other work.

I hate to say this it is you age also I know that the SSA is not suppose to take your age into consideration yet but they do believe me at your age you need very very good medical records and a psychiatrist to back you up.Also just about everyone gets denied the first 2 times im 56 and i got denied 2 times also but was approved before i had to go and sea a alj.

They said I was able to do past work as a pharmacist assistant at a drugstore. Um, that includes me standing all day. Can't do it. I passed out at work several times before going to get checked out. The more I pass out, the more it happens. It's a vicious cycle.