Disability = Diagnosis???

[ELT]

Well, my work has been paying me to be off work for the last three years.  Thought it was four, but, while filling out a form today, I discovered it was 2005 I went off work.  They paid me short term disability for a year, or two, and the rest of the time was longterm.  

Last fall they sent me a letter asking me to apply for my Canada Pension Plan.  I did.  

Thing is, I didn't expect my work to pay me for so long, with no proper diagnosis, let alone the government okaying giving me the pension plan now, with no proper diagnosis.  They just sent me a letter asking me for a photocopy of my daughters birth certificate.  In other words, they're planning on okaying it.

So, does the rest of the world know something which I don't know?  Has a doctor said it looked like I'm not malingering and that I have a legitimate claim?  Why else would it all go so smoothly.

Geeeeeeez, rant over.  LOL

Erica

[aj1964]

update...spoke again with my LTD adviser today she said that the company is really trying to work with me, and now they want me to try 2 hours a day, so back to dr next week and i guess let him know they did not like the word "possible" and he needs to be more clear,this is so overwhelming, i do not think i had this much stress when i planned a wedding, or maybe i did and i was just able to cope better

[aj1964]

I actually spoke to my LTD adviser, and said if she looks back on the forms one he filled out recently when asked if i would recover he put down in big letters NO she has MS it is degenerative and will not get better or go away, over time it will progress and that he is very guarded on recovery for me to the point where i would be able to maintain fulltime employment. she said after I spoke with her that she will process this as a claim, so I think it is going to be ok, maybe I got a little prematurely excited

[maxthecat43]

Good for you!  It's great that you're getting the financial help you need, even without a formal diagnosis (if I understand correctly...)  I think when it comes to disability pensions, and the like- it sometimes depends on the mood of the person(s) doing the paperwork.  Sounds like you got very lucky to me.  Some, with have a hard time getting approved, even with lots of objective evidence.  But your doctor must have indicated you were indeed disabled, even if he can't yet give you a diagnosis.

[Lulu54]

I find it unconscionable  that any doctor would write 'anything is possible' when it comes to MS. . ... yes, anything is possible but they need to address what is the usual for you.  I would go back to the doctor and explain what this casual response has done to your request for LTD and ask him to further explain that answer - which is not asking him to change it.  good luck.  Laura

[immisceo]

I know we have some Canadian members here who may be able to better advise you or point you in the direction of good information and resources. I think these things are generally overwhelming to grapple with the world over! In the States, I know, a first round denial is the norm. Most people are granted disability on appeal.

[aj1964]

I am just about to go onto LTD,but when filling out the forms one of the the question asked from dr is if it is "possible" for me to get any better, he wrote anything is possible, which it is and right now my LTD is saying that dr has said i should continue to work, I can't work, i have so many bad days but am afraid if i don't force myself to work I could lose my job, what should be my next step? do I ask dr to redo forms and blatantly say I can't work? all this is causing me so much stress and is so overwhelming I do not know what I should do

[HARRYBEADS]

  Same thing here, the Doctor that filled out the paper work did a good job,CCP here is awarded based on ability to perform and how it affects the quality of ones life, according to what the Doc writes. I think maybe if your insurance is paying you it makes it easier  also.
CCP took me about 4 weeks for approval also, I know of people with severe heart conditions that are declined?

Harry

[ELT]

No, I'm not complaining at all.  What I'm wondering is, what aren't the docs saying to me, if the government is willing to pay me

They say my mris are clear.  Why are they paying me?

what don't i know

Erica

[Jazzyfizzle]

Hi Erica,

I will tell you from my own experience, that the disability doctor had stated to the judge in my case, that it was his opinion I have MS, and she ruled with him that I 'have' MS.

My doctor still does not concur, but he does say that there is no way I am returning to work in this condition.
I would not have known this, but during my hearing, the judge was on 'satellite feed' so we could hear everything said in that room, and vice versa.
I could hear her asking the gov. doctor if his diagnosis was MS, and he said yes.
She approved my claim.

If I had not been in that room to hear her asking him, then I would never have known this. (My doctor still does not agree & I'm getting no treatment). I was owed a couple years of backpay also.
I dont' know if this is anything like what has happened with your case, but thought you might want to hear this story.

Jazzy

[spastic]

  It's a very good thing getting income while not working. I have been fighting tooth and nail to get my long term disability payments.  I had to apply for social security and that takes forever...My LTD company thinks this is pre-existing and have been going over all my medical records for the last five years. Its been such a pain in the butt! My pcp told me he wrote s.s. a long letter stating due to my debilitating pain and severe spasms I should not be working.

I am glad for you, it's hard enough trying to get better let alone finding the money to pay the bills.

Lots of Love

Spastic Ada

[Rena705]

Erica..are you bit*hing or complaining honey!  I don't have a diagnosis yet and have not had ANY income since last February.  My doctor said that I should apply for CPP disability but in filling out the forms I couldn't put in a diagnosis either!  

At least it sounds as though you have been approved which is a wonderful thing isn't it!  I don't know if I will be covered as they say you have to have contributed to CPP for the four years prior to the onset of you illness...I worked at the hospital for 3 1/2 years and not quite 6 months at the homecare place.  You just never know with the government.

But same story here honey...no diagnosis but the docs figure we are eligible...why fight it...

Lots of Hugs,

Rena