A diagnosis of cancer is something that everyone dreads. When an individual is diagnosed with any form of cancer, the symptoms of the condition and the effects of the treatments can make it impossible to work. Many of these individuals assume that Social Security Disability benefits will be there to help them through these trying times. Unfortunately, actually obtaining these benefits is something that is often harder than anticipated.
It takes some Social Security Disability applicants more than two years to obtain the disability benefits they need. What takes so long for a disability claim to be processed? While the initial application process only takes three to four months to complete, nearly 70 percent of disability claims are denied during the initial stage of the application process. These applicants must then go on to appeal the SSA's decision to deny their benefits and their case usually ends up in front of an administrative law judge at a disability hearing. Due to the significant backlog of Social Security Disability cases waiting to be heard by the Social Security Administration, it can take more than two years to have this hearing scheduled. Fortunately, in some cases, cancer patients may qualify for faster approval of their disability claims under the Compassionate Allowance disabilities guidelines.
In 2008 the Social Security Administration introduced the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, which allows some disability applicants to be approved for benefits in less than a month. Pulmonary kaposi sarcoma is one of the conditions that has been added to the Compassionate Allowances list.
If you have been diagnosed with this condition, the following information will help you through the Social Security Disability claim process and will shed light on how you can increase your chances of obtaining a quick and hassle-free approval of your disability claim under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma Condition and Symptoms
Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is a form of cancer that is developed from the cells that are found in blood vessels and lymph nodes. These abnormal cells form different color blotched or tumors on people’s skin with coloring that can be brown, red, or purple. The areas that are affected by the blotches or tumors are called lesions, which cause no symptoms but just look horrible. With some cases however, Kaposi Sarcoma can lead to very painful swelling around the eyes, skin, groin, and leg regions. This disease can become life threatening as well if it starts to form lesions in the digestive tract, liver, or lungs. If there were lesions in the lungs it would cause great difficulty to breathe normally but if there were lesions within the digestive tract, it could cause internal bleeding.
There are many different types of Kaposi Sarcoma. Unlike other cancers that have variations dependent on the types of cells they attack, Kaposi Sarcoma has different variations based on the population it has infected. The different names are based on the population it affects. Some different names include: Epidemic (AIDS-related), Classic (Mediterranean), Endemic (African), and latrogenic (transplant-associated).
Unfortunately, this form of cancer comes with some pretty noticeable symptoms. It leaves lesion on the body which are either purple or red patches on the skin. These lesions may also spread to other parts of the body, mucous membranes, as well as internal organs. The internal organs it is known to attack are the lungs, intestinal tract, and the liver. If there are any symptoms of Kaposi Sarcoma a doctor will want to do a full examination of the body and lymph nodes. Normally, lymph nodes are very small in size comparable to a bean and they are located throughout the body. They are responsible for holding and producing cells that fight infections.
If internal lesions start to form, it can be fatal. Tumors in the lungs can obviously block air passages and make it difficult for one to breathe. If there are lesions located within the intestinal tract, they can make it difficult for one to process any food properly and may also cause internal bleeding. Generally these conditions and symptoms can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, and/or surgery. It is always suggested to see a doctor at the first sign of any symptom to catch this cancer early.
Causes of Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma
Kaposi Sarcoma is directly linked to the herpes virus 8. This particular virus is very similar to the Epstein-Barr virus which is known to cause infectious mononucleosis. With Kaposi Sarcoma, endothelial cells which are located within the lining of blood vessels and lymph nodes are infected with the virus therefore turning them cancerous. Scientists are still working on finding out every aspect and cause of KS because they are not one hundred percent certain at this point. It has been found though that people who are HIV positive are more likely to get this form of cancer.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma
If you have been diagnosed with pulmonary kaposi sarcoma, chances are that you will have to leave the workplace. This may leave you wondering how you are going to make ends meet without a source of income. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help.
Once you have been diagnosed with this condition, contact the Social Security office and request an application either online, over the phone or at your local branch office. When filling out the necessary application forms, make sure you complete the forms in their entirety and answer all questions with thorough and descriptive explanations. The more information you can provide, the more likely you will be to receive an approval of your initial disability claim.
Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma and Your Social Security Disability Case
When you apply for disability based on one of the conditions covered under the Compassionate Allowances listings, do not assume that your claim will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration. While it does not happen often, the SSA has been known to deny Compassionate Allowances claims on occasion – usually due to a lack of medical evidence or improperly completed disability claim forms.
If you want to increase your chances of receiving a quick and hassle-free approval of your Social Security Disability benefits, you may want to consider the services of a qualified ssi disability attorney. The professional you work with will be able to help you in the preparation of your application paperwork and will ensure that your claim is submitted to the Social Security Administration in the best possible light.
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 pulmonary kaposi sarcoma, click here for a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case.
