Hi and good luck...I was where you are now in April 2007. I have already recieved 2 denials, initial and administrative. I filed an appeal after the first then again after the second. I am now waiting for a hearing date.
I got a lawyer after the first denial, but if I had it to do again I would have started with him, it is so much easier to have them do the paperwork and chase the records and such.
He has even gotten my Dr to agree to testify on my behalf at the hearing...so I hope that I will be successful.
Best of luck...al I can tell you is "NO DEFEAT" do not give up no matter how many times they try to fuff you off, keep appealing.
We deserve to have the benefit, Lupus is a tough, debilitating disease. We paid in and we should be able to collect our insurance. But we don't look sick, therefore we must not be!
Even thei Psyche said I was disabled and they didn't care.
Stephanie