Yankees Hero Wins Disability Benefits

NEWNAN, Ga. -
Millions of tax dollars wasted each year on crooks who claim to be too sick to hold a job.

They wind up getting Social Security disability payments, even though they're not really disabled at all. Disability fraud can cost all of us money, but it has cost the truly disabled something far more valuable: time.

Just ask Brian Doyle.

"I was extremely disappointed and frustrated," he spoke slowly, trying to counter the effects of Parkinson's disease.

Doyle always figured he'd have plenty of time. When you're a New York Yankee World Series hero, the world stands still.

In 1978, Doyle was instrumental in helping the Yankees beat the Dodgers in the World Series. He replaced starter Willie Randolph at second base after an injury in the ALCS. Doyle wound up hitting .438, including getting three key hits of future Hall of Famer and future Atlanta Braves broadcaster Don Sutton.

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Doyle's major league career ended a few years later. Deeply religious, he ultimately started a worldwide ministry with baseball as its theme. He hasn't pulled down even a six-figure salary in 33 years.

"Here's six figures," he laughed, holding up six shaky fingers. "That's all I know about that."

Parkinson's has cost Doyle his freedom. He can no longer drive. He insisted he can no longer hold a job.

So nearly three years ago, Doyle filed for Social Security disability benefits. Twice, the government looked at his medical records, and said he could still work. Application denied both times. He asked to go before a disability judge and argue his case in person. But those dockets are jammed. The wait to get a hearing and an answer in Georgia averaged 530 days.

Experts argued the main reason for such delays can be attributed to people who should never be getting disability benefits. Example: Brian Doyle's old stomping grounds, New York City.  According to federal authorities, more than 100 retired NYC cops used fake medical records to claim $30 million in fraudulent benefits, a scheme that went on for six years. Most have pled guilty.

"The fact that many of them chose to use 9/11 as the basis for their fake disability brings further dishonor to themselves," remarked William Bratton, New York police commissioner.

"I hate to say it, but I take some of my own profession to task on that a little bit," admitted Doyle's attorney Greg Rogers. "I think we need to do a better job as gatekeepers of who's actually applying for benefits and letting people really know what they're up against and what they're going to have to go through when they go through this process."

This month Congress and President Obama agreed on tougher punishments for lawyers and doctors who participate in disability fraud.

Attorney Rogers agreed fake applicants make it harder for the truly sick ones.

"It may turn out to be a denial, but it still is part of the problem that's clogging up the system for people like Brian that's also trying to get through the system," Rogers added.

"If it wasn't for family and friends and the good Lord, we wouldn't be sitting in this house," Doyle insisted. "This house... it would have been foreclosed on."

Brian finally got his hearing. It lasted 40 minutes.

Then, in October, Brian got the call, one that felt almost as good as the one he got from the Yankees decades ago. Time was back on his side. The judge agreed he qualified for Social Security disability benefits and, more importantly, Medicare coverage. At 61 years old, Doyle depended on his wife's insurance to help cover his medical bills.

"Have endurance.... and have family and friends for support and pray," advised Doyle. "Because I'm living proof that almost after three years, I finally... won my case."