This year alone, the Social Security Administration will receive millions of claims for Social Security Disability benefits. The disabled workers who apply for these benefits will have spent years working and paying taxes into the Social Security system. As a result, they expect disability benefits to be there for them when the need arises. Unfortunately, the ordeal of obtaining Social Security Disability benefits isn't as cut and dry as many would expect it to be. Nearly 70 percent of disability claims are denied during the initial stage of the application process, resulting in the need for a lengthy disability appeal.
It takes many disability applicants more than two years to appeal a denial of their Social Security Disability claim. Unfortunately, in some situations, waiting such long periods of time for disability benefits to begin is impossible and unwarranted. The Social Security Administration addressed this fact in 2008 when it rolled out its Compassionate Allowances program.
Under the Compassionate Allowances Listings, some Social Security Disability applicants are able to obtain their disability benefits in a matter of weeks instead of having to wait months or even years before benefits begin. Until recently there were 88 conditions that would qualify an individual for processing under these guidelines. In 2011 the SSA added 12 more conditions to its Compassionate Allowances Listings. Endomyocardial fibrosis was one of the conditions that was included under these new guidelines.
If you have been diagnosed with endomyocardial fibrosis and are wondering how the SSA reviews claims that are based on this condition and how you can ensure a quick and hassle-free approval of your Social Security Disability application, the following information will help.
Back to topEndomyocardial Fibrosis Condition and Symptoms
Endomyocardial fibrosis (also known as EMF, fibroelastic endocarditis, Davies Disease, Loeffler endomyocardial fibrosis with eosinophilia and Loeffler fibroplastic parietal endocarditis) is a progressive heart disease that is considered to be very rare. It is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with women and children being at a higher risk of development than men.
Unfortunately the origin of this disease is unknown, making it an idiopathic heart disease. It is marked, however, by a progressive fibrosis of the lining of one or both of the lower chambers of the heart. The fibrosis of these chambers results in a constriction of the cavity of the heart.
While signs and symptoms of the disease vary depending on the severity of the condition, common signs include fibrotic heart lesions, restricted ventricles, calcification of the chambers and mitral regurgitation.
Endomyocardial fibrosis is a progressive disease and the overall prognosis is poor. Most of the people who are diagnosed with the condition will die within one to three years of the onset of the symptoms of the disease.
Back to topFiling for Social Security Disability with Endomyocardial Fibrosis
If you have been diagnosed with endomyocardial fibrosis, it is important that you understand that even though your condition is included in the SSA's Compassionate Allowances Listings, it does not mean that you will be granted an automatic approval of your Social Security Disability claim. If your claim forms are not filled out properly or if you do not provide the SSA with enough medical evidence to prove that your case meet's the SSA's published guidelines, it is likely that you will be denied disability benefits and will need to undergo a Social Security Disability appeal.
To avoid the need for a disability appeal, make sure that you fill out your claim forms in their entirety. Do not leave any question unanswered and answer each question with as much detail as you possibly can. You will also want to provide the SSA with as much medical evidence as possible. In order to approve your claim for Social Security Disability benefits, the adjudicator reviewing your file will need to see evidence of a clinical examination that describes the diagnostic features that were used to diagnose your disease and copies of laboratory studies in order to confirm the diagnosis.
Back to topEndomyocardial Fibrosis and Your Social Security Disability Case
While the SSA does not frequently deny Social Security Disability claims that are based on a Compassionate Allowances Listing, it has been known to happen on occasion. This is usually due to improperly completed claim forms or a lack of necessary medical evidence.
If you want to increase your chances of being awarded Social Security Disability benefits in just a few weeks under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified disability attorney or disability advocate. These professionals can help you gather the medical evidence that will be needed to prove your case to the Social Security Administration and will help ensure that all of your claim forms are filled out properly.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings or to find out if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a case of endomyocardial fibrosis, click here for a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case.
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