I know a guy in Johnson City, Tenn who got SS on the first application...bad back and heart. He got it about a year and a half ago. So, I thought it was because he did it before all the fraud started and they tightened up. He then told a guy he knows got it on the first application about 3 months ago. I’m starting to think it depends on the part of the country you’re in. The “judges” are different. And by the way, he was sent to a SS doctor for “examination”. His friend wasn’t. I’m CONVINCED that now they turn down most of the initiall applications.
I’m glad you hung on to your faith. God will always provide a way. A friend used to say “If you end up under a bridge it’s a bridge God provided.”
I live close to Knoxville. In 1985 my wife got turned down first time. She is a quadriplegic. That's pretty darn cut and dry disability. I applied for it in mid 1994 and was turned down first time. The two different SS Doctors told me that I could never work again as well as my own doctors. I did my own appeal and got it on the first appeal. I was approved in about 9 months from first filing. My cousin is terminal from a heart condition {doctors said no more by-pass they've done all they can for him}. It took him about two-two and a half years through a lawyer and got it approved two years ago on about the third or fourth appeal.
They do check my medical records now about every three years for any changes which is reasonable policy.
I had to see 2 of them, one for the arthritis and another for the back. My hand was so swollen it looked deformed, no way I could work. You are right about the judges. I hit it lucky Sen Mark Norris sent me to a former SS lawyer who knew how to work the system.
Have found a fix for that since, non traditional a simple water pill, takes all the swelling down, doesn’t stop the pain, but my hand now looks like a real hand.
How ObamaCare Guts Medicare
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703649004575437311393854940.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTTopOpinion
Health law’s heavy impact by Paul Guppy (Taxes) (tax on home sales)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/mar/28/health-laws-heavy-impact/