yup...some people are better at completing the forms, hitting things just right, ...perhaps they work in positions that they just can;'t work in & their illnesses are really that bad so they can't work at all...different doctors doing the exams..a multitude of stuff.

when i applied for ss disability i think it took about a year & i was turned down. which was fine...i was approved for federal employees disability retirement. you can have one or the other package...so i was content with what i got because at the time you were unable to work with the soc security one.

just knowing other federal agencies..there have been huge cutbacks in personnel..so depending on which office you apply to that may make a difference as well. there just aren't as many employees doing the work as before...which slows everything down (in every agency not just soc security)