Social Security Disability and SSI, I have several disabilities have any of you got info that may help?

I have Degenerative Disc Disease, Fibromyalgia, Post Traumatic Stress DIsorder, Panic and Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Arthritis, Fractures and inversion of the spine, as well as migraines.

The evaluation of disability on the basis of mental disorders requires the documentation of a medically determinable impairment(s) as well as consideration of the degree of limitation such impairment(s) may impose on the individual's ability to work and whether these limitations have lasted or are expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
Each diagnostic group, consists of a set of clinical findings, one or more of which must be met, and which, if met, lead to a test of functional restrictions, two or three of which must also be met.
The listings for mental disorders are so constructed that an individual meeting or equaling the criteria could not reasonably be expected to engage in gainful work activity.
Individuals who have an impairment with a level of severity which does not meet the criteria of the listings for mental disorders may or may not have the residual functional capacity (RFC) which would enable them to engage in substantial gainful work activity.
The determination of mental RFC is crucial to the evaluation of an individual's capacity to engage in substantial gainful work activity when the criteria of the
listings for mental disorders are not met or equaled but the impairment is nevertheless severe.
RFC may be defined as a multidimensional description of the work-related abilities which an individual retains in spite of medical impairments. The existence of a medically determinable impairment of the required duration must be established by medical evidence consisting of clinical signs, symptoms and/or laboratory or psychological test findings.
Clinical signs are medically demonstrable phenomena which reflect specific abnormalities of behavior, affect, thought, memory, orientation, or contact with reality.
These signs are typically assessed by a psychiatrist or psychologist and/or documented by psychological tests. Symptoms are complaints presented by the individual. Signs and symptoms generally cluster together to constitute recognizable clinical syndromes (mental disorders).

The SSA maintains a master list of medical conditions that affect the major systems of the body. These medical conditions are so severe that they are automatically considered to be disabilities by the SSA. If your condition is not on the list, the SSA must find that your condition is of equivalent severity as those conditions found on the list in order for you to be considered disabled. The following list includes just a few of the conditions that may qualify as a disability. However, even if your condition is not on the list you may still qualify for benefits...................
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Blindness
Severe Back Pain
Chronic Heart Disease
Cancer
Extreme Psoriasis involving Hands & Feet
Obesity
Seizures despite the use of Medications
Multiple Sclerosis
Various Mental Disorders

Maybe one of the sites listed on my sources will give you more information as well as the how to of applying for SSD and SSI. Hope that this has been of some help to you.
I have disabilities as well. Degenerative Disc Disease, Fibromyalgia, Severe manic depression/ anxiety, blindness in one eye, and more. I understand the pain and anxiety you must be feeling. Don't be surprised if they deny you the 1st time you apply. It is standard procedure. Be patient because it takes many months to get through the process and get approved.

Your diagnoses sound as though you may actually have syringomylemia. Long word for your spine probably has arachnoid cysts on it and you may have a thinning area in your spine. If I were you, I would check onto the ASAP.org site, sign up for free, and ask your question. This is what I have, as well......I am very aware of the pain involved.
Only an MRI will tell.

SSI is not based soly on your disabilties, it is also by you combined income of your spouce etc. SSD,(social sercurity disability) is based on your illness(s) and/or injuries. You can call to apply. There will be paper work for you and your doctor to fill out. You will have to see one of their doctors, which is a joke. Then they will make a decision within a couple of months. You are usually denied the first time. This is when you get a lawyer who will be paid once and if you win. Also, you must not have worked for six consecutive months before you can apply. Once you have the lawyer there will be more paper work and requests for all your records which your doctors will chrage you for. You may have to see their doctor again. Then you will be given a court date. You and your lawyer appear before a judge and you are asked many questions about your health and past employment and education. Several weeks later you will receive the decission. If you win you will be awarded six months retroactive or more if you have been out of work longer, with a percentage going to your lawyer. Then you can apply for SSI which is difficult to get.

When you are filling out the paper work be very careful how you answer the questions. They ask the same questions over and over but in different words. Also be careful when answering the questions in front of the judge and when you see their doctor. The system is not set up for those who really need it. It is set up to prove people are trying to get something for nothing.

Good luck.

P.S. It took me two years and I have Lupus,
asthma, fibromyalgia, chronic cystitis, rheumotoid arthritis, chronic migraines, stage 1 renal failure, depression/anxiety and scoliosis.