For most of us, the fear of a debilitating illness is rooted in our love for our own independence. We love having the ability and the freedom to go wherever and do whatever we please, whenever we please. Much of that can change when a serious illness strikes. Our ability to go places and perform certain activities may lessen, or vanish altogether. We may have to learn to depend on others to do things for us which we used to do for ourselves. And unfortunately, we may lose the ability to work for a living in order to provide for our financial needs.
Situations like this are exactly the type of need which Social Security Disability benefits were intended to meet. They are intended as a back-up plan for those who find themselves unable to work for any number of reasons, and are therefore unable to earn a living. Unfortunately, those benefits have become increasingly difficult to collect for the people who need them most. Because benefits have been fraudulently obtained by those who are able but unwilling to work, those who are willing but unable to work often face a lengthy and complicated process to obtain the funds they so desperately need.
In an effort to reduce the backlog of disability cases while at the same time shortening the approval process for some serious illnesses, the Social Security Administration (SSA) implemented the Compassionate Allowance program. Illnesses designated as eligible for Compassionate Allowance status are inherently serious enough to automatically warrant disability status. Consequently, the disability application process for these illnesses and conditions has been expedited, so benefits can more quickly make their way to those who need them most.
If you have been diagnosed with one of the 100 conditions deemed eligible for a Compassionate Allowance, it is important that you begin the application process as soon as possible in order to reduce the risk of a delay to your case.
Endomyocardial Fibrosis – Condition and Symptoms
The human heart is divided into four chambers. The upper two are the right atrium and the left atrium, while the lower two are the left and right ventricles. The lining of these cavities is called the endocardium. For reasons that remain unclear, the endocardium in either or both ventricles can sometimes begin to change, with normal cells being replaced by fibrous tissue; this is known as fibrosis. As this condition progresses, the ventricles become constricted by this fibrous tissue and are increasingly unable to perform their normal functions. Eventually, some of the heart’s valves may be involved as well. This condition is known as Endomyocardial Fibrosis.
Symptoms of Endomyocardial Fibrosis may include:
- Heart lesions
- Enlarged heart
- Stroke
- Facial edema (swelling due to fluid retention)
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Heart failure
In general, the prognosis for patients with Endomyocardial Fibrosis is poor. Treatment is usually focused on managing symptoms, although some treatments may help to slow the progression of the disease. Some patients may be candidates for heart transplant surgery.
Filing for Social Security Disability with an Endomyocardial Fibrosis Diagnosis
A person who has been diagnosed with Endomyocardial Fibrosis will automatically qualify to receive Social Security Disability benefits, since the SSA has found the illness to be serious enough to warrant Compassionate Allowance status. If all of your application paperwork is complete and all of the accompanying documentation is in order, you can expect your claim to be approved within a matter of weeks. While the approval process for this disease has been dramatically shortened, it would still be very wise for you to have your case evaluated by a Social Security Disability attorney.
While this illness automatically qualifies for disability benefits, your application paperwork must still accurately reflect the degree of your illness. An experienced Social Security Disability attorney has the knowledge and the resources to be able to accurately document the medical impact of your condition, while making sure the all your documentation is legally sound.
Your Endomyocardial Fibrosis Social Security Disability Case
If you have been diagnosed with Endomyocardial Fibrosis, you can be assured that you will qualify to receive Social Security Disability benefits. While that assurance may be comforting, don’t let it make you think that the battle has already been won. It hasn’t. By trusting your claim to an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer, you can relax and let a professional handle the job. If you have received your diagnosis, you already have a legitimate need for disability benefits. A disability lawyer can make sure that your application accurately reflects that need.
