# Link to a Brannen interview on CPP **URL:** \ **Category:** CPP Disability\ **Created:** [October 30, 2017, 12:03am UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/link-to-a-brannen-interview-on-cpp/724 "2017-10-30T00:03:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![allyoops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@allyoops](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/allyoops)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 12:03am UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/link-to-a-brannen-interview-on-cpp/724/1 "2017-10-30T00:03:49Z")
> **[Part 2: Always appeal refusal of CPP disability benefits | Save with SPP](https://www.savewithspp.com/2017/08/24/part-2-always-appeal-refusal-of-cpp-disability-benefits/)** > >   For the second part of our series about CPP disability benefits, I interviewed David Brannen, a former occupational therapist turned disability claim lawyer from Moncton, New Brunswick. Bran… ---
**Author:** ![Elaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/439d5e/32.png) [@Elaine](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/Elaine)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/link-to-a-brannen-interview-on-cpp/724/2 "2017-10-30T00:52:04Z")
Thank you for the link. It’s always nice to listen to what David has to say. He talks a lot about showing historical records about your medical condition. This is one thing that keeps puzzling me. In my cppd denial letter is was mentioned as one of the reasons for denial. Medical adjudicator wrote to me: "According to your family doctor’s report your symptoms began in 2012 and you have tried a number of medications. You were continuing treatment (therapies and medications); and your prognosis was unknown as you were still undergoing treatment… According to the reports, you attended therapy and also saw specialists, and you were able to work at a GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT during this time period, until 2016. I noticed that they will use any information against you. Of course, I wrote a letter to my medical adjudicator asking her to provide more details on the reasons of the denial. No responce yet. Not sure if there will be responce. But waiting. ---
**Author:** ![jammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jammer](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/jammer)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/link-to-a-brannen-interview-on-cpp/724/3 "2017-10-30T16:21:53Z")
> [@Elaine](#): > > You were continuing treatment (therapies and medications); and your prognosis was unknown as you were still undergoing treatment… According to the reports, you attended therapy and also saw specialists, and you were able to work at a GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT during this time period, until 2016. You condition deteriorated in 2016 and treatment was no longer effective in 2016. I don’t understand why this is a reason for denial. Was your only prognosis in 2012 or did your doctor say that your condition wouldn’t get better in 2016? ---
**Author:** ![Elaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/439d5e/32.png) [@Elaine](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/Elaine)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/link-to-a-brannen-interview-on-cpp/724/4 "2017-10-30T17:28:27Z")
> [@jammer](#): > > Was your only prognosis in 2012 or did your doctor say that your condition wouldn’t get better in 2016? Of course, I used David’s blueprint and wrote a story about how it all started and how it all developed to the day I had to take a leave from work. I submitted all the medical reports from when I first started to experience the symptoms and specialists reports from 2016 confirming that my condition deteriorated to the point that I couldn’t work any more. It actually worked well for my LTD application. They were satisfied that I had a history of symptoms and tried different treatments and didn’t just go on a sick leave without trying to deal with all that. Reading the reasons for CPP-D denial I had an impression that the medical adjudicator just wrote anything that came to her mind for the sake of giving a reason for denial. Well, I will apply for reconsideration, but with that kind of attitude I am not sure how high the chances are. And I am not even close to the retirement age. I am going to ask David’s firm to be involved at a Tribunal stage. David, if I hire your firm at a tribunal stage will there be enough time for you to contact my insurance company to discuss the fee arrangement? ---
**Author:** ![Elaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/439d5e/32.png) [@Elaine](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/Elaine)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/link-to-a-brannen-interview-on-cpp/724/5 "2017-10-30T17:39:14Z")
Jammer, did you get any response from Service Canada? ---
**Author:** ![allyoops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@allyoops](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/allyoops)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/link-to-a-brannen-interview-on-cpp/724/6 "2017-10-30T18:21:03Z")
Some thoughts …without a diagnosis you can not have a prognosis which means the condition is prolonged In order for a disability to be deemed of “indefinite duration,”a date for potentially regaining the capacity to work can not be accurately predicted. The symptoms began in 2012 and even though I tried various medications and treatments my condition worsened. Point out that you can not meet the basic requirements of following a work schedule and work attendance. I think the earning amount is not what CPP disability would provide but the maximum amount, New evidence could be a daily diary (can print off from internet) marking symptoms and activity for a month to 6 weeks. If you have fatigue as a symptom detail how that impacts your activity. The following are short examples, however, it is important that you give thorough and concrete examples. • Motor Symptoms: For example, heaviness of limbs make it difficult to type for hours at a time; weakness of arms and legs which leads to incoordination and difficulty walking and standing for the period of time that my job requires. • Sensory Symptoms: For example, I experience pins and needles in my hands that interfere with my dexterity and ability to type. • Visual Symptoms: For example, I regularly experience double vision that makes me feel off balance and dizzy and I find it very difficult to concentrate on my work. • Fatigue: For example, I experience bouts of fatigue. It is probably my most debilitating symptom. Feelings of weakness, listlessness, and emotional fatigue result in an inability to function towards the end of the work day. • Dizziness: For example, I experience feelings of dizziness and spinning that cause extreme nausea and make my job as a bus driver very difficult. • Mood Changes: For example, I get irritable and impatient at work the more tired I get. This is difficult when I am working with the public every day. • Memory: For example, I have problems with concentration, particularly when I am in meetings or reading information. My short-term memory is noticeably impaired, however, my long-term memory appears to be OK. ---
**Author:** ![jammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jammer](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/u/jammer)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://forum.resolutelegal.ca/t/link-to-a-brannen-interview-on-cpp/724/7 "2017-10-30T23:03:35Z")
> [@Elaine](#): > > Jammer, did you get any response from Service Canada? Not yet. My 4 months is Nov 6 so I plan to call Nov 7. I try not to think about my CPP-D but I will let everyone know when I find out.