The Social Security Administration receives millions of disability applications each and every year. Of these, only about 30 percent will be approved during the initial stage of the application process. The remaining 70 percent of applicants must undergo the lengthy and stressful disability appeal process in order to pursue the benefits they need. Unfortunately, appealing the SSA's decision to deny a Social Security Disability claim is a process that can take some applicants more than two years to complete.
In cases when a disability applicant suffers from an extremely severe or life-threatening disability, the wait times required for disability approval can be both unreasonable and unacceptable.
Realizing this, the Social Security Administration implemented the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008. Under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, some disability applicants are able to qualify for expedited claim processing, which can result in the award of disability benefits in a matter of weeks.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is one of the 88 conditions that qualifies an applicant for processing under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances listings. If you have been diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma and need to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, the following information will shed light on the disability claim process and what you can do to increase your chances of obtaining a quick approval of benefits under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma - Conditions and Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a very rare yet very aggressive type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Approximately ten to twenty percent of mesothelioma diagnoses are cases of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which develops in the abdomen rather than the lungs.
In cases of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, the cancer develops in the lining of the abdomen, also known as the peritoneum. The two parts of this lining are called the visceral peritoneum and the parietal peritoneum, and the cells in this lining naturally create a fluid that allows the organs of the body to move against one another without friction. When a patient develops Peritoneal Mesothelioma, too much of this fluid is produced, causing a build-up of the fluid in the abdominal area.
While explanations of what causes Peritoneal Mesothelioma are still speculative, it is thought to occur in one of two ways. In some cases, the asbestos fibers are ingested and settle in the peritoneum. In other cases, the fibers may be inhaled and are transported to the peritoneal area through the body's lymph nodes.
The symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma can vary from individual to individual. Common symptoms of the condition include abdominal swelling, abdominal pain or tenderness, unexplained weight loss, anemia, bowel obstruction, fever, night sweats, and swelling in the legs.
While there are available treatments for Peritoneal Mesothelioma, the success of available treatments varies. Some patients may be able to undergo surgery to remove cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body, and chemotherapy is often administered in conjunction with surgery. For patients who are not candidates for surgery or chemotherapy, treatment will be focused on slowing the progression of the cancer and making patients as comfortable as possible.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Most of the patients who are diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma will not be able to work due to the symptoms of the condition and the side effects of necessary treatments. Many of these individuals wonder how they will make ends meet without any source of income. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help.
Even though Peritoneal Mesothelioma is one of the 88 conditions that qualifies a Social Security Disability applicant for claim processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, you may not be automatically awarded disability benefits based solely on your diagnosis. You will still need to complete the necessary disability application forms and provide the SSA with enough medical evidence to support your disability claim. Lab results, treatment records, and written statements from treating physicians can all support your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
Your Peritoneal Mesothelioma Social Security Disability Case
Many of the Social Security Disability applicants who submit disability claims based on one of the 88 qualifying Compassionate Allowances conditions assume that their applications will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. While it does not happen frequently, the SSA has been known to deny disability claims based on Compassionate Allowances listings. This is usually due to an improperly completed Social Security Disability application or a lack of sufficient medical evidence.
If you want to increase your chances of obtaining a favorable decision from the Social Security Administration and receive an approval of your disability claim as quickly as possible, you may want to consider hiring a disability attorney or advocate. These professionals can help you in the preparation of your disability application and can assist you in gathering the medical evidence needed to support your claim for disability benefits. Your attorney or advocate can also ensure that your claim is presented in such a way that the adjudicator reviewing the file understands how your condition qualifies for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings or to find out whether you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a case of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, request a free disability evaluation of your case today.
