Hi everyone.
apologies if this doesn’t read cohesively- my conditions mean I struggle with putting the correct words and I sometimes jump around in what I’m saying. This is also my first post so if I have broke rule or housekeeping - sorry.
I applied for PIP back in June. Sent off the medical evidence I had (letters from hospital following appointment to confirm diagnosed conditions) and wrote my anecdotal evidence in the appropriate boxes. Those which I didn’t have any issues with I left blank.
October I had a telephone assessment and end November my decision- 0 points (daily living, I didn’t apply mobility as I am able to walk distances without issues on most days).
The decision makers letter didn’t explain why each section scored 0, rather giving a line or two to state he does not think I suffer the symptoms and therefore my stories aren’t correct. He then quoted a section of my medical letter to support his belief as in my consultants first ever letter he stated that some cases never experience a symptom and if they do it is generally after many years.
Unfortunately, my condition has significantly worsened during the time and despite further letters already provided to prove this, they weren’t taken into consideration.
It was also stated that because I was polite on the telephone and came across as having a good level of education I did not suffer the issues stated. They also stated that as I had not suffered any injuries as a result of my conditions - the symptoms and related examples were false.
Given, with my MR my husband helped me put together a response that provided more stories of episodes, provided further medical evidence to state I am suffering the symptoms and that these are reported symptoms of anyone with the conditions, and responded to the decision makers & reporters comments with further evidence that what I am reporting is true, eg statements from family members relating to a specific time they have had to help.
I have now read that providing a lot of medical evidence can be counter productive and I’m worried I’ve ruined my MR chance. I was also very shocked to have scored 0 - is this “normal”?