Standard Social Security Disability claims can take years to be approved. Those who suffer from severely debilitating conditions often felt that the approval times did not take their specific circumstances into consideration. As a response, in 2008, the Social Security Administration (SSA) introduced the Compassionate Allowances program. Under this program individuals who suffered from certain conditions could be approved for benefits in as little as 2-3 weeks. While the program only included 50 conditions when it was first introduced, that number has been extended to include a list of 200 qualifying conditions. Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma is now one of the conditions that can qualify an individual for disability claim processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma - Condition and Symptoms
Endometrial stromal sarcoma is a rare endometrial tumor that arises from the connective tissue of the endometrium. It is one of the rarest types of uterine cancer diagnosed today and accounts for less than 1 percent of diagnosed cancers of the reproductive system. Symptoms of endometrial stromal sarcoma vary from case to case but common symptoms include:
- Abnormally long or heavy periods
- Pelvic pain
- Swelling of the pelvis
- Bleeding between menstrual cycles
When caught early, the five-year survival rate for this type of cancer is 90 percent. However, if detected after the cancer has spread that rate drops drastically. Unfortunately, by the time this type of cancer is diagnosed, it has often spread to other areas of the body.
Applying for Disability with Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits for Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program, you will need to provide certain medical evidence in order to support your claim for disability benefits. In claims involving Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma, this evidence includes:
- Test results of examination of the endometrial cells collected during a D&C procedure
- Endometrial biopsy
- Hysteroscopy
- MRI or CT Scan of the Pelvis
- Findings of vaginal bleeding and/or spotting after menopause
- Evidence of abnormal uterine bleeding
- Evidence of anemia caused by chronic loss of blood
- Evidence of an enlarged uterus
- Pathology report of a biopsy specimen of the stroma of the endometrium
- Surgery reports and/or imaging that document spread of cancer
All of the above medical evidence and test results should be included with your application for disability benefits. This will help ensure the proper processing of your claim for Social Security Disability benefits. This evidence will be needed in order to be approved for disability benefits under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma and Your Social Security Disability Case
If you are suffering from Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma and wish to obtain Social Security Disability benefits, it is in your best interests to enlist the help of a disability attorney prior to filing your claim. Your attorney will work with you to gather the proper medical evidence and will present your claim in the best light possible, ensuring that the SSA understands how you qualify for claim processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
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