Aplastic anemia is a rare and serious condition that can have a serious impact on an individual's quality of life. Individuals who suffer from the condition may have a hard time performing normal day-to-day tasks. It goes without saying that full-time work activity is completely out of the question when someone is suffering from such a severe disorder. Those who suffer from aplastic anemia may wonder how they will pay for their basic daily living expenses without any source of income, let alone their mounting disability-related medical bills. In many cases, Social Security Disability benefits can help individuals who are suffering from severe plastic anemia if those individuals are undergoing stem cell transplantation or bone marrow transplantation. If you are suffering from aplastic anemia, the following information will help you understand the condition and how the Social Security Administration reviews claims based on this diagnosis.
Aplastic Anemias Condition and Symptoms
In certain situations, an individual's body may stop producing enough new blood cells to keep the body running properly. This may occur due to damaged bone marrow, radiation or chemotherapy treatments, exposure to toxic chemicals, viral infections, autoimmune disorders, pregnancy or the use of certain drugs. In some cases, the cause of aplastic anemia is never discovered.
The symptoms of this condition may vary depending on the underlying condition and the severity of the disorder. Common symptoms of aplastic anemia include: chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, chronic prolonged infections, pale skin, easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, skin rashes, dizziness and frequent headaches.
While there is no cure for aplastic anemia, treatments are available to manage the condition. Some of these treatments include stem cell and bone marrow transplantation. When these procedures are necessary, it is almost always impossible for an individual to work. This is why individuals who undergo such treatments for this condition may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Aplastic Anemias with Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplantation
It would be unreasonable to expect an individual who has undergone a bone marrow or stem cell transplant due to aplastic anemia to return to work any time soon after the surgery has been performed. The Social Security Administration has recognized this fact and has covered aplastic anemias with bone marrow or stem cell transplantation under Section 7.17 of the Blue Book Medical Listings. Under this listing, an individual who has undergone such a procedure is automatically entitled to Social Security Disability benefits for a period of one year following the date of the procedure. After that one-year time period is over, the Social Security Administration will review the patient's residual impairment to determine whether or not benefits will continue.
When the one-year period has ended, you will need to furnish the Social Security Administration with proof that you are still unable to perform substantial gainful work activity if you wish to continue receiving Social Security Disability payments. This means providing the SSA with adequate medical records documenting the extent of your disabling condition and the effect that the transplantation still has on your life.
If you are still unable to work after the one-year period has passed and the Social Security Administration tries to cease your Social Security Disability benefits, you will need to appeal the decision. While you may retain benefits during this appeal process, you will have to pay those benefits back if it is determined that you were indeed able to work while the appeal was being conducted.
Aplastic Anemias with Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplantation and Your Social Security Disability Case
Because an individual who has undergone a stem cell or bone marrow transplantation due to a case of aplastic anemia is automatically entitled to disability benefits for a one-year period following the procedure, chances are that you will be awarded disability benefits during the initial stage of the application process. If, for some reason, your benefits are not approved or the SSA tries to revoke your benefits once the one-year period has passed even though you are still unable to work, you will need to file a disability appeal.
While you are technically allowed to represent yourself during the appeal process, retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate would be a much wiser decision. Statistics show that applicants who obtain proper representation for such an appeal are more likely to be awarded benefits than those who choose to represent themselves.
To learn more about filing for Social Security Disability benefits with aplastic anemia with bone marrow or stem cell transplantation or to learn more about working with a Social Security Disability lawyer, simply fill out the form for a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case.
