[injuredinMA]

I live in Massachusetts. I was injured at work on 1/26/07. Had cervical spine surgery (2 discs removed and replaced with "donor" discs, fusion and titanium hardware) in late September. Have not worked since injury date, over a year ago. I have been receiving weekly w/comp checks weekly since, with no problems. I've complied with IME appointments, the reports from these doctors have all stated that I have a "moderate" degree of disability. I applied for disability benefits from Social Security on my one year "anniversary" of injury occurred. My question is are the odds of being approved for disability benefits increased as I've been on w/comp for over a year?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You can expect the focus to be on your medical condition and disability, not on your history of collecting workers comp.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Agree with Mr. KIA,

SS determination is independent of WC. The medical records obviously are in play, but WC eligibility determinations have no effect. The fact that you were disabled and not working for a year is considered by SS though.

Generally you must be disabled to the point of not being able to perform a major life activity, and/or not able to return to your previous work and not be able to be retrained/rehabilitated to do any other work.

Confused? If not you really should be, as SS disability process is a nightmare. SS turns down everybody it possibly can at the first evaluation, and generally you (and your lawyer) have to appeal to medically prove your disability.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...book/index.htm

[injuredinMA]

I am pleased to report, to my shock, that I was approved...

[4eyedbuzzard]

Wow. That's is very fast. Glad to hear the process went smoothly for you.

[injuredinMA]

No one more surprised than I. My getting approved is just soooo not my usual luck. Like a close friend said when I told him Thank God, you finally got a break--you've been struggling for years...I am so releived to have some financial relief.