Lymphoma and Social Security Disability

Lymphoma can be a very debilitating condition, having a severe impact on an individual's life. The symptoms that lymphoma patients suffer from can make it hard to manage everyday activities, let alone the responsibilities of full-time employment. Because of this, many lymphoma patients struggle with finances. Fortunately, in most cases, Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income can help. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with lymphoma, the following information will help you understand the Social Security Disability claim process and how the SSA reviews disability claims based on a diagnosis of this disabling condition.

Lymphoma Condition and Symptoms

Lymphoma is actually a type of cancer. This particular cancer involves lymphocytes, which are the cells of the body's immune system. The body's immune system creates B and T cells as a normal part of the immune system's functioning. When lymphoma develops, however, these cells begin to grow and mutate at uncontrolled rates. As these cells continue to develop, they oftentimes collect in the lymph nodes or other lymph tissues in the body, such as the spleen. This is when tumors begin to develop.

There are many different subtypes of lymphoma and the symptoms and severity of an individual's condition will depend on the type of lymphoma they have developed and how far the cancer has progressed. The first symptoms that are usually associated with lymphoma include swelling in the neck, underarm or groin. Other common symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, spleen enlargement, fever, chills, weight loss, night sweats, chronic fatigue and itching.

In most cases of lymphoma, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy will be used to treat the patient. These treatments themselves have severe side effects that can interfere with an individual's ability to perform substantial gainful employment. If you are suffering from lymphoma and your condition affects your ability to work, you should apply for Social Security Disability benefits as soon as you are unable to maintain gainful work activity.

Filing for Social Security Disability with Lymphoma

Lymphoma is recognized as a disabling condition by the Social Security Administration under Section 13.05 of the SSA's Medical Listings. According to this section, a disability applicant will qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if they are suffering from: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; aggressive lymphoma that is persistent or recurrent following initial antineoplastic therapy; or idolent lymphoma that requires the initiation of more than one antineoplastic treatment regimen within a consecutive 12-month period. In these cases, a disability applicant will be considered to be disabled for twelve months from the date the treatment began.

A lymphoma patient may also qualify for disability benefits if they suffer from Hodgkin's disease with failure to achieve clinically complete remission or recurrent disease within twelve months of completing antineoplastic therapy.

Lymphoma patients who have undergone bone marrow or stem cell transplants will be considered disabled for at least twelve months following the date of the bone marrow or stem cell transplant procedure.

When applying for Social Security Disability benefits due to a diagnosis of lymphoma, make sure that you provide a complete copy of your medical records, including all treatment histories. These documents will be able to prove your disability, showing the Social Security Administration that you qualify for benefits under the guidelines established in Medical Listing 13.05.

If your specific case of lymphoma does not meet the requirements of Listing 13.05 or if you do not have the medical evidence to document the severity of your condition, you may still be able to qualify for application process, you are not alone. Nearly 70 percent of initial disability claims are denied by the Social Security Administration. What you will need to do is file an appeal in order to overturn the SSA's decision to deny your disability claim.

When pursing the disability appeal process, it is crucial that you retain the services of a qualified Social Security Disability lawyer. These professionals can help you gather the evidence that will be necessary to prove your case to the Social Security Administration and they will be able to represent you at your disability hearing.

To learn more about filing for disability benefits with a case of lymphoma or to learn more about working with a Social Security Disability attorney or advocate, simply fill out the form for a free evaluation of your SSD case.