I have to Thank you again, Dr Foster. Your broadcast on how to 'properly' fill out the Functional Report, stating "you can use as many pages as you need", helped me to finally give dds a clearer picture of what I'm dealing with. And also secured a exam date. I am truly suffering and Appreciate you talking to us 🌅
That's great. Like I say, the Functional Report is your best opportunity to explain to Social Security why you're disabled, but many people don't take advantage of it. So often I see all they write is "I can't work because of my condition". That's unlikely to get you approved.
Yes! The entry-level jobs I did in high school and college are definitely not something I could do now for even 2 hours a day let alone eight. All of the standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, grasping, as well as focus attentively and get things right ( due to distracted by pain and discomfort). And I’m talking about just a low pay fast food job and a retail store job. I wouldn’t even be able to last an hour before needing to not just “sit down” but LIE down on a couch sideways and do stretches for at least 15 minutes, put a heating pack on one part of my back, an ice pack on the other part, and take more medications. Thank you for mentioning how physical and demanding some of the entry-level jobs can be, particularly if you’re going to do them right, and accurately.
Hi Dr. Foster. My mom believed her CE exam was unfair. She had an exam and part of the exam she was seated in a chair. Neck range of motion was done while seated. Foot flex & extend & leg raise while seated. Instructed her to take her shoes and socks off while seated..The dr had her stand up and instructed her to place hand on to the side of the exam table for foot range of motion movement standing. The exam was for lower back, a leg an arm, and neck. She takes meds for pain. She was in an accident few years ago and has been going down hill over the years, from the past injuries. The exam may be a type of standard way to give exam test, but we are wondering why the Dr. Did not ask her to walk on her heels, toes, or bend forward or side to side. My mom felt that some of exam was done in away that did not allow the Dr. to see problems.. We thought the exam was to verify what cant be done too. My mom said that she perform the task asked to perform. She also told dr that repitive motion excerbates her pain and because of pain she needs lie down after siting and sit from standing for relief. Items have to be placed strategically at a kevel she can get to. She said much more. Also for example, she cant reach up above head. The dr only asked her to extend arm in front of her while seated. No test for a full range of motion of the arm. My mom is unsure how well she perform the task. She has from her neck to her fingers. She hadnback surgery in the spring of 2024. Basically CE asked her to do only things she could do. Basically My mom does not think the test was far. Any thoughts on this and finally, Is the CE doctor told what exact test should and should not be performed?
It's hard to be sure, since I wasn't there, but here are my thoughts: I test neck range of motion while the person is seated. Social Security wants back range of motion bending forwards, backwards, and to each side. That can be done seated or standing. Extending the legs while seated is a critical part of the low back exam, and is correct. Social security wants to know if the arms can be raised above the head. That can also be done seated or standing. I test it in everyone. For back problems, they want to know if the person can walk on toes and heels - that checks muscles that may be weak due to nerve issues with back problems. Understand that in a Social Security range of motion checklist there are 76 ranges of motion to be tested. You have to take some shortcuts, or the entire exam time would be taken up checking joint range of motion, there would be no time to talk with the person or do any other part of the exam! And they have a new checklist I've seen that has over 100 ranges of motion, which is way too much in my opinion. In the end it comes down to checking what is reasonable, if you checked every possible thing you could only evaluate 1-2 people a day.
@DisabilityExams Thanks for taking the time to answer. Wow!! If one's main problem is their back I would think bending should have been included. Heels and toes...etc were not done either. Thanks again for your feedback. I told my mom that she may need to appeal depending on the outcome.
Yes, Social Security has Autism Spectrum Disorder in their Listing of Impairments. Like all mental disorders, it has to be severe to qualify, and I have seen some folks with severe disorder. Here is a link to the listing: www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm#12_10
You are out of touch with the requirements of an entry level job in 2024. Do us all a favor and educate yourself about this topic as well as you are on arthritis
I have to Thank you again, Dr Foster. Your broadcast on how to 'properly' fill out the Functional Report, stating "you can use as many pages as you need", helped me to finally give dds a clearer picture of what I'm dealing with. And also secured a exam date. I am truly suffering and Appreciate you talking to us 🌅
That's great. Like I say, the Functional Report is your best opportunity to explain to Social Security why you're disabled, but many people don't take advantage of it. So often I see all they write is "I can't work because of my condition". That's unlikely to get you approved.
Entry level jobs are. Usually the hardest jobs physucally
Yes! The entry-level jobs I did in high school and college are definitely not something I could do now for even 2 hours a day let alone eight. All of the standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, grasping, as well as focus attentively and get things right ( due to distracted by pain and discomfort). And I’m talking about just a low pay fast food job and a retail store job. I wouldn’t even be able to last an hour before needing to not just “sit down” but LIE down on a couch sideways and do stretches for at least 15 minutes, put a heating pack on one part of my back, an ice pack on the other part, and take more medications. Thank you for mentioning how physical and demanding some of the entry-level jobs can be, particularly if you’re going to do them right, and accurately.
You are uniformed about Social Security Disability. Watch this video and learn: ua-cam.com/video/ITCI685zlsM/v-deo.html
Hi Dr. Foster. My mom believed her CE exam was unfair. She had an exam and part of the exam she was seated in a chair. Neck range of motion was done while seated. Foot flex & extend & leg raise while seated. Instructed her to take her shoes and socks off while seated..The dr had her stand up and instructed her to place hand on to the side of the exam table for foot range of motion movement standing. The exam was for lower back, a leg an arm, and neck. She takes meds for pain. She was in an accident few years ago and has been going down hill over the years, from the past injuries. The exam may be a type of standard way to give exam test, but we are wondering why the Dr. Did not ask her to walk on her heels, toes, or bend forward or side to side. My mom felt that some of exam was done in away that did not allow the Dr. to see problems.. We thought the exam was to verify what cant be done too. My mom said that she perform the task asked to perform. She also told dr that repitive motion excerbates her pain and because of pain she needs lie down after siting and sit from standing for relief. Items have to be placed strategically at a kevel she can get to. She said much more. Also for example, she cant reach up above head. The dr only asked her to extend arm in front of her while seated. No test for a full range of motion of the arm. My mom is unsure how well she perform the task. She has from her neck to her fingers. She hadnback surgery in the spring of 2024.
Basically CE asked her to do only things she could do. Basically My mom does not think the test was far. Any thoughts on this and finally,
Is the CE doctor told what exact test should and should not be performed?
It's hard to be sure, since I wasn't there, but here are my thoughts: I test neck range of motion while the person is seated. Social Security wants back range of motion bending forwards, backwards, and to each side. That can be done seated or standing. Extending the legs while seated is a critical part of the low back exam, and is correct. Social security wants to know if the arms can be raised above the head. That can also be done seated or standing. I test it in everyone. For back problems, they want to know if the person can walk on toes and heels - that checks muscles that may be weak due to nerve issues with back problems. Understand that in a Social Security range of motion checklist there are 76 ranges of motion to be tested. You have to take some shortcuts, or the entire exam time would be taken up checking joint range of motion, there would be no time to talk with the person or do any other part of the exam! And they have a new checklist I've seen that has over 100 ranges of motion, which is way too much in my opinion. In the end it comes down to checking what is reasonable, if you checked every possible thing you could only evaluate 1-2 people a day.
@DisabilityExams Thanks for taking the time to answer. Wow!! If one's main problem is their back I would think bending should have been included. Heels and toes...etc were not done either. Thanks again for your feedback. I told my mom that she may need to appeal depending on the outcome.
Is Autism Spectrum Disorder considered a disability? How severe does it have to be to be considered disabling? Thanks!
Yes, Social Security has Autism Spectrum Disorder in their Listing of Impairments. Like all mental disorders, it has to be severe to qualify, and I have seen some folks with severe disorder. Here is a link to the listing: www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm#12_10
You are out of touch with the requirements of an entry level job in 2024. Do us all a favor and educate yourself about this topic as well as you are on arthritis
Instead of spouting nonsense, watch this video by a Social Security Disability lawyer: ua-cam.com/video/ITCI685zlsM/v-deo.html