Disabled children and adults oftentimes have to wait months, if not years, to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits. The reason behind the extensive waiting periods is the fact that the SSA denies approximately 70 percent of the disability claims that are received each year.
Each of these denied applicants has the right to appeal the SSA’s decision to deny their disability benefits. This results in a backlog of disability appeals, which normally consist of a request for reconsideration and a disability hearing.
Getting a hearing in front of an administrative law judge is a process that can take more than two years to complete. Fortunately the SSA has realized that some individuals need special consideration due to the severity of their condition.
This is why they implemented the Compassionate Allowances program. Under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, a disability applicant may be approved for benefits in a matter of weeks rather than having to wait months or years before benefits begin.
Ewings Sarcoma was recently added to the list of disabling conditions that qualify an applicant for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, the following information will help you understand the condition and how an applicant may qualify for disability benefits more quickly with a diagnosis of the disease.
Ewings Sarcoma - Condition and Symptoms
Ewings Sarcoma is a rare condition in which cancer cells are found within the soft tissue or the bones of the body; most commonly the calvicle, femur, pelvis, humerus, and/or ribs. The cancer develops as a small, round blue-cell tumor.
This type of tumor, also known as a SBRCT, is a type of malignant neoplasm that, when viewed under a microscope, appears as small round cells that are stained with blue on H&E stained sections.
While symptoms of Ewings Sarcoma may vary from case to case, the most common symptom is localized bone pain. Swelling near the site of the cancer may also be present in some cases. Most patients experience severe pain in the bones and when the cancer is diagnosed it has often already metastasized.
Many of the patients who suffer from Ewings Sarcoma do not only suffer from the symptoms of the disease itself, but also suffer from the symptoms of the necessary therapy.
Because the condition has often metastasized, a combination therapy is needed including surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. In some cases, limb amputation may be necessary.
Due to the severity of these treatment symptoms and the condition itself, the SSA has included Ewings Sarcoma in its list of conditions that qualify for Compassionate Allowances processing.
While the exact cause of chondrosarcoma is unknown, it is thought that patients who have a history of osteochondroma or enchondroma are at an increased risk of developing this type of cancer.
In addition, patients who suffer from Ollier disease and Maffucci syndrome may also be at an increased risk of developing chondrosarcoma.
Filing for Disability Benefits with Ewings Sarcoma
When you file for Social Security Disability benefits based on a diagnosis of Ewings Sarcoma, it is crucial that you provide the SSA with as much medical documentation as possible and that you fill out the claim forms in their entirety.
Just because the condition has been included in the Compassionate Allowances listings does not mean that you will automatically qualify for benefits based simply on a diagnosis of the disease.
When you fill out the SSA’s claim forms, make sure you answer each question with as much detail as possible. The more detail you can provide, the easier it will be for the adjudicator reviewing your case to understand how your condition prevents you from performing gainful work activity.
In addition to the answers on your claim forms, the SSA will be looking at objective medical evidence in order to decide your case. This includes imaging reports, lab results, treatment histories and written statements from your treating physician and/or physicians.
The more evidence you can provide, the more likely it will be that your claim will be approved during the initial stage of the application process.
Ewings Sarcoma and Your Social Security Disability Case
Knowing what evidence the SSA will need to see in order to approve your disability claim and understanding how to answer the questions on the disability claim forms can be complicated. As a result, you may want to consider retaining the services of a Social Security Disability attorney.
A disability attorney will be able to help you fill out your claim forms properly and will ensure that you have provided the SSA with sufficient medical evidence in order to prove your case.
