The diagnosis of cancer is something that can shake the core of a human being and their loved ones. People who go through this type of diagnosis need support to cope with such a diagnosis and to get the best treatment possible. Although Social Security disability benefits are probably one of the last things on a person’s mind who has been diagnosed with cancer, it can be a benefit that supports a diagnosed person with living and medical expenses, if they are unable to work, so there is one less thing to worry about. Today, we will look at how Social Security considers cancer in a disability claim.
13.00 Cancer
- What impairments do these listings cover?
Social Security uses these listings to evaluate all cancers (malignant neoplastic diseases) except certain cancers associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Social Security uses the criteria to evaluate primary central nervous system lymphoma, to evaluate primary effusion lymphoma, and to evaluate pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma if you also have HIV infection. Social Security evaluates all other cancers associated with HIV infection, for example, Hodgkin lymphoma or non-pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma, under this body system or under the immune system disorders body system.
- What does Social Security consider when it evaluates cancer under these listings? They consider factors including:
- Origin of the cancer.
- Extent of involvement.
- Duration, frequency, and response to anticancer therapy.
- Effects of any post-therapeutic residuals.
- How does Social Security apply these listings? They apply the criteria in a specific listing to a cancer originating from that specific site.
- What evidence does Social Security need?
- They need medical evidence that specifies the type, extent, and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesion. When the primary site cannot be identified, Social Security will use evidence documenting the site(s) of metastasis to evaluate the impairment.
- For operative procedures, including a biopsy or a needle aspiration, Social Security generally need a copy of both the:
- Operative note, and
- Pathology report.
- When Social Security cannot get these documents, they will accept the summary of hospitalization(s) or other medical reports. This evidence should include details of the findings at surgery and, whenever appropriate, the pathological findings.
- In some situations Social Security may also need evidence about recurrence, persistence, or progression of the cancer, the response to therapy, and any significant residuals.
Social Security does expedite the processing of claimants who suffer from certain kinds of cancer, especially if the diagnosis is expected to be terminal or severe, so contacting Social Security to inquire about this process may be helpful before filing a claim.
