UPDATE--(Disability Living Allowance for Lower Limb Lymphoedema) Both tribunal hearings refused !

[becky565]

Has anyone successfully been awarded DLA regarding their Lymphoedema.? I have abdominal & bi lateral lower limb lymphoedema for the last 18 years which has deteriorated greatly over the past 3-4 years.I have increased chronic leg, feet and hip pain and limited mobility. following MLD in July which did decrease some of the limb volume, i continued to have back pain also, a recent MRI scan has identified bone marrow edema.I have ESA & DLA tribunal hearings approaching.I dont hold out alot of hope, has anyone else had a positive outcome ?

Just wanted to update this post.i lost both Tribunal Appeal hearings.i hoped to be able to use the funds for weekly MLD treatment.glad I tried though.

[xb3ckyx]

Hi, my son is two and he has had DLA since he was 1. He gas lymphodema in his hand, genitals and abdomen, also in his throat. He also has other problems though which is intestinal lymphangiectasia and hypogammaglobulinema. At first he was declined DLA but I wasn't happy with that and appealed. He needs a lot more care that other children his age and mainly because of the bandaging and mld. I think it's because it's not that popular and people aren't sure what care he needs. I just made sure I had all supporting drs letters. I hope you get it sorted.

[Hidden in reply to xb3ckyx]

Hi, I was given DLA for arthritic/mobility problems. When I was diagnosed with breast and chest wall lymphoedema I applied for increase to care component as some days certain jobs are impossible. However I was turned down on the grounds that cooking, cleaning, ironing did not warrant and increase. Some days using an oven is impossible, because my arm is extremely week, minor burns are a way of life. Which is not good for someone with Lymphoedema. Even lifting the kettle can be a chore. I had very good support from my Doctors, Macmillan and Welfare benefits officers but was still turned down. Good luck with your claim.

[becky565 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Novelist2, thankyou for your response, i empathise with your difficulties.well my DLA appeal was cancelled due to a medical rep not being available, poss will be rescheduled in Jan.and sadly i lost the ESA appeal last week, although i was awarded 12 points instead of the 0 award from ATOS healthcare.But you need 15 points to get ESA, never mind all your realistic inability to function ! So now i must start again and reclaim ! What a sad, mad system !

[becky565 in reply to xb3ckyx]

Hello Xb3ckyx, thankyou for your response, i empathise with your ongoing difficulties that your son experiences, i do hope he is in good spirits.i would imagine daily life is challenging enough without having to take on this mad battle well this crazy system.my DLA appeal was cancelled due to a medical rep not being available, hopefully it will be rescheduled for the new year. Sadly i lost the ESA appeal, although i was awarded 12 points instead of the 0 award from ATOS healthcare.But you need 15 points to get ESA, never mind all your realistic inability to function ! So now i must start again and reclaim ! What a demorilising system !

[lovesradio]

Good luck to you. Can LSN offer any help? Lymphoedema is a long term condition which as you have found can be immobilising depending on site and severity. But the current Welfare Reform rules are making it harder for all to receive the benefits they are entitled to without being thought of as scroungers.

[becky565 in reply to lovesradio]

Hello Lovesradio, thankyou for your response, well my DLA appeal was cancelled due to a medical rep not being available, and sadly i lost the ESA appeal, although i was awarded 12 points instead of the 0 award from ATOS healthcare.But you need 15 points to get ESA, never mind all your realistic inability to function ! And yes i agree you are made to feel like a scrounger ! my goodness of course i would prefer to work and get a decent salary, do they really think we claim out of choice !!! So now i must start again and reclaim ! What a crazy demorilising system.

[harpy1]

Look at your claim form and see if you were totally honest with your reply. What I mean is that you told them how you are on your very worst days. Don't ever say that you can "manage" they will jump in with this answer. We may all manage day to day living with whatever ailments we have but it does not make it right that we should not get help. So fight on and re-apply, do not take it as read. I know a number of people with genuine cases who applied for DLA, now called PIP personal independent payment, who had been turned down on first application but was successful on their appeal. Good luck with your appeal.

[becky565 in reply to harpy1]

Hello Harpy1, thankyou for your response, well my DLA appeal was cancelled due to a medical rep not being available, and sadly i lost the ESA appeal, although i was awarded 12 points instead of the 0 award from ATOS healthcare.But you need 15 points to get ESA, never mind all your realistic inability to function ! So now i must start again and reclaim ! What a crazy system hey !

[harpy1 in reply to becky565]

Hello Becky565, firstly well done on getting your points up from zero to 12 that is a real achievement. But sorry that you did not quite manage the 15 points and therefore was turned down. Agree the system is absolutely crazy and you wonder how those who cheat the system get away with it, they must be good liars/actors but make it difficult for genuine cases. Don't give up now you have managed to get to 12 points. Go over your application again and all the questions and see what you can expand on. Wishing you good luck. Harpy xx

[morganite]

I didn't have any success dispte good medical evidence and support, they weren't interested basically and had little knowledge of the affects of lymphedema but I live I hope someone will be successful. good luck.

[Missbvll]

Is your issue sorted now? I'm in the middle of an ESA appeal, been about eight months now. I receive DLA. Have bilateral lymphoedema lower extremities

[304473]

I had a temporary 6 month disability approval followed by another 12 months temporary disability approval. However upon further setbacks with my leg and challenges whilst been on my feet more than two hours resulting in extreme heaviness and discomfort of the leg, doctor gave me letter to apply for permanent disability to allow me funding for ongoing MLD, however the assessments department did their assessment in less than an hour and thus not witnessed the challenges I have within two hours of activities on my feet, thus they declined it saying my disability is not permanent. I remain challenged with costs for MLD and was attempting the compression bandaging but my skin reacted to the bandaging, thus only MLD effective of which is costly. Furthermore I am challenged physically and would think that with this regressing condition, we are physically not able to resume what was previously our normal activities.