Hi Mark: Sorry to hear about all your trouble with S.S. It's not uncommon to be turned down a couple of times at first. If you have documentation of when you sought and got medical attention and diagnosis, you might want to consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in social security claims. If you eventually get it, then usually you will get some kind of money from the time you were determined to be disabled. If your illness keeps you from doing the type of work you have done for the last few years or more, then I would keep fighting for it. It's worth it in the long run. Good luck with everything. Rob