Hi...I just found this group, and this topic hit home with me...I am on disability, but I was denied twice and then my family helped me get a lawyer and I was finally accepted, and have been on disability since 1995. After my first appeal was denied, I filed another appeal (with the lawyer) and had to go to a "hearing" (it was held in a hotel conference room, not in a court). I found out there that one of the main reasons I had been denied was because of the findings of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation...they said I was "too smart" and that with my intelligence I should have no problem holding a job. The judge got REALLY mad and told the DVR guy to sit down and then lectured him, saying that I could not use my intelligence if my emotional problems prevented me from leading a "normal" life. The judge then appologized to me for the previous denials and said that with my doctor's and therapist's letters and the finding of their independant psychiatric evaluation that I should have been approved with my initial application. He gave me 3 years back pay, which is unusual. I thought maybe my story would give you some hope...don't give up! If you can't work and you have proof from your own docs and therapists, then you will most likely get accepted eventually. Good luck!

~J.J.