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1 year 1 week ago #285013 by Carol66
Pip appeal was created by Carol66
Hi

Am just after advice. I'm currently waiting an appeal date for pip. My review forms were sent in about 20 months ago. I'm on standard daily living at the moment. I had a telephone assessment about April . My rate was kept the same so I did a mandatory reconsideration which didn't change anything so I have put in an appeal.

I am56 years old. I took early retirement from my nhs job about 5 years ago due to long term anxiety and depression, ( had this for 25 years since my husband died of cancer) I've been medicated most of the 25 years and have had numerous counselling sessions, talking therapies and in the past a mental health nurse. I have had social issues most of my life and do not see or talk to anyone outside my family. I struggle with going anywhere by myself and have panic attacks in crowded places or anywhere that's loud. I'm always tired and put it down to being depressed. I only sleep 3 to 4 hours per night also. IN 2014 I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea and had a cpap machine for about a year but I managed to lose 5 stone and it improved a lot, however over the menopause years I've gained 2 stone back and I'm waking myself up struggling to breathe, have a headache every morning, tired and get confused or forgetful frequently. My daughter rang in and updated pip about sleep apnea. I've had a further sleep study done and now have a cpap mask again. I also had bloods done by gp a couple of months ago and had severe iron deficiency anaemia. Doctor referred me for a colonoscopy and endoscopy for ? Corectal cancer. I declined these tests because I had a fit test done and that was fine and I requested a scan instead due to the sleep apnea. I have a scan in a month.

What I want to know is that I've sent lots of evidence to my appeal regarding all of the above but I've had a letter to say they won't be taking the sleep apnea or anaemia into consideration as they must be thinking they are new conditions however all the symptoms of anxiety and depression also are very similar to sleep apnea and anaemia. What cab I do?
Sorry for the long post.

Thanks

Carol

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1 year 1 week ago #285041 by Gary
Replied by Gary on topic Pip appeal
Hi Carol66

Welcome to the forum.

You might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is; www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq/forum.

Remember, a worsened condition does not necessarily mean the claimant is entitled to an increased award, they may not meet the criteria to score higher and even if they do, not sufficiently for a higher award, they also need to face the vagaries of an assessment.

Don't forget you need to have the condition for 3 months and then on going for a further 9 months.

In regards to your question, you need to explain to the tribunal that the condition is not a new condition and is ongoing, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.

Check out our guide benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip .

Gary

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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