Catherine, can I ask were you out of work a long time before you applied? How long did it take before they made a decision?
TW, I was out on private disability for nearly a year then was approved...the income from the disability ins had to be repaid once my retro payment from the SSA was paid.
From the time I made my initial claim to it being approved was about nine months.
I was thoroughly prepared, too.
I've got serious medical problems too to the point it does almost look ridiculous once I listed them al. But its all interrelated as in autoimmune illness causes arthritis, difficulty walking, breathing problems. Then there's the head injury which causes cognitive probs, but I was apparently born with learning/developmental disabilities on top of that. So it looks like malingering or somatoform except I've had testing recently that the neuropsych ruled out both and that I'm truly sick.
((TW)) if hugs are all right
No it does not look like you are malingering. Period.
You've made every attempt to work, and you cannot. There is no shame to this happening...you've no control over it.
BTW, when I was going through the process, I documented everything I could not do. I was honest about what I had tried, what didn't work...but especially what didn't work.
Like you, my CBIs and the TIAs limited me in many ways
Plus I have x-rays that show arthritis and blood test that prove the autoimmunity. The particular autoimmunity I have is suppose to be on something called fast track that is suppose to get automatically approved so why haven't they then. What also surprised me was how they haven't scheduled a medical CE but instead a mental one though I have had more consistent mental health care. The medical is sporatic because there is no treatment for the autoimmune other than pain management ie: just make the patient comfortable till the disease kills them. My case is so complicated I fear they might think I was making it up. Except my drs do indicate I have serious medical problems.
If they already have copies of your medical records and tests, but not sufficient mental ones it gives them more reason to investigate it. It's gives them a better picture of your condition.
TW, they don't do it to be crappy...it's done in order to weed out people who are working the system, or trying to. Even at that, there are people who do slip past them.
I just feel like I am under the gun cause I don't want to end up on the streets. My family thousands of miles away seem to not think anything is wrong with me though I can barely even walk up the stairs last time I saw them and they had to carry my luggage and roll me in wheelchair or else I used a cane.
Jmo, and I offer my apology if I offend you.
Screw them. You know your body, your mental health, your limitations...don't second guess yourself based on their ignorance. They do not see the daily struggle that is your life.
But my dad just treats me like dirt that I should just pull myself up by the bootstraps because he's so old and still working so he thinks I should.
Don't let him live in your head rent free, TW.
His situation and yours is entirely different. What health problems, in what combination and with what meds, is he taking or has taken--nothing like yours, right?
I know it hurts when he cannot...or will not accept your situation...it is no reflection on your worth, TW. Please separate those two things.
No one should be defined by anyone else, and no one should be defined by their disabilities. We are made up of many wonderful things.
Don't cheat yourself. You are a good person, doing the best you can, if others cannot accept that then let them go...
He's not acting even the least bit concerned now that they think I might have thyroid cancer and am going in for a RAI-U test this week.
Well, you have my concern and the concern of others here at PC. We can't take the place of "blood family" but we are still a family.
You have our support and we do care...so keep us posted, ok?
My niece had something similar and her endocrinologist is monitoring her, but they do not think it is cancer.
My best wishes for it to be negative...
Sorry I'm rambling. Just got a lot on my mind.
Ramble away...it's what I do when I've a lot on my mind.
It's part of being human, I think.

Catherine