IB to ESA checklist query

I've been reading the posts on this forum for a couple of years now and take particular notice of the posts regarding IB to ESA. My story is that I was retired after an accident at work which left me with severe lower back pain. Subsequent surgery made things worse and I was told that further surgery wasn't possible and just to take things very easy and not put any further strain on my back. I retired in 1996. I didn't need to attend my consultants again after the surgery and just had chiropractic treatment, painkillers and 'took it easy'. Now, at age almost 61, I got my brown envelope last week & my phone call on Tuesday. My question is -
Is a letter from my GP going to suffice as I don't now have any contact with any consultant - they are retired or passed away. I do have copies of all my MRI's, X-rays etc. and I kept my own copy of all my medical history.

Thaks, Teri

Teri

I am not sure if it will help, but I was in a similar situation with my ESA migration from IB.

I did not know about B&W until after i had a decision which placed me in WRAG.

In an appeal, I used medical reports including MRI reports from 15 years ago to make the point that my spinal injury was severe then, and was deemed not to be treatable. Also, ageing and degenerative changes would mean that I still had severe disability. Obviously I needed to relate this to a descriptor, and in my records there was evidence that I could not mobilise the required distance 15 years ago and so still could not. (Beware the invisible wheelchair trap though). I made sure I used the evidence to show that I am not able to propel a wheelchair. I was placed in support group at reconsideration stage of appeal.

You appear to be one step ahead, as you already have copies of relevant Medical information to hand, and should therefore be able to make a strong case at first attempt. Use the guides, and ask for advice from the forum when necessary. The moderators have endless patience, and really know their stuff.

Best of luck.

P.C.

Thank you for the replies. I have one further question for now. I have a very rare medical condition - Yellow Nail Syndrome (YNS) where only about 200 cases have been reported world-wide. Even the consultant I saw had to seek advice on it.
It really does impact on my everyday life causing breathing difficulties - bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis and rhinitis needing regular antibiotics and lymphoedema with swelling in my legs, arms and face. These are all recognised symptoms of the syndrome.
I am sure that the people who read my form will think that I maybe have a fungal nail infection rather than the serious illness which it is. I will go into each of the components of the disease in detail and how they affect me on my form.
So my question is - because it is so rare, should I give some website references to websites which describe Yellow Nail Syndrome, or will it be ignored?

Regards, Teri

Teri wrote: Thank you for the replies. I have one further question for now. I have a very rare medical condition - Yellow Nail Syndrome (YNS) where only about 200 cases have been reported world-wide. Even the consultant I saw had to seek advice on it.
It really does impact on my everyday life causing breathing difficulties - bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis and rhinitis needing regular antibiotics and lymphoedema with swelling in my legs, arms and face. These are all recognised symptoms of the syndrome.
I am sure that the people who read my form will think that I maybe have a fungal nail infection rather than the serious illness which it is. I will go into each of the components of the disease in detail and how they affect me on my form.
So my question is - because it is so rare, should I give some website references to websites which describe Yellow Nail Syndrome, or will it be ignored?

Regards, Teri

Hi T,

As YNS does seem to be quite a rare condition, (I have certainly not heard of it before) it may be advisable to include reputable points of reference to the condition and the symptoms and limitations that it causes.

You could also include any print-outs regarding the same.

bro58

Thank You for the replies to my queries. I’m afraid that I have some more.
1. When filling in the box on page 6 - About your illnesses or disabilities, is it advisable to just list the conditions in this box with a brief description on how it affects my life and then list them again on extra 4 pages and go into more detail on how each particular condition affects my life. Or is it better to just start in the box with condition 1 and then continue with the other conditions on the extra pages.
2. Do I go into a lot of detail on my conditions and effects on my life in this section or just go into more detail from the start of the check-boxes on page 8 - Part 1: Physical functions ?
3. I have made an appointment to see my GP for a long appointment to remind him of my problems which started 20 years ago. Fortunately, he has been my GP in all this time and always been supportive when I ask him to refer me for tests, X-Rays, scans etc. Is it better to ask him to do a report to send in with the ESA or just give him a copy of the pertinent facts and let ATOS contact him?
Thank You again.
Teri