There are some medical conditions that the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers are serious enough to be fast tracked for disability benefits. One of these is esthesioneuroblastoma, which may qualify for disability benefits under the SSA’s compassionate allowance program. This program allows applicants to get their benefits as soon as possible.
What is Esthesioneuroblastoma?
This is one of the rarer cancers that affect the cribriform plate which is the upper part of the nasal cavity and is a bone between the eyes deep in the skull and above the ethmoid sinuses. This type of cancer develops in nerve tissue linked to the sense of smell. It can occur at any age. Esthesioneuroblastoma can sometimes grow very quickly and the tumors can spread even after many years have passed since the treatment of the first tumor. What is a Compassionate Allowance?
Compassionate allowances are a method used to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that meet the SSA’s standards for eligibility for disability benefits. The CAL initiative helps to lower waiting for a disability determination for individuals who are suffering the most from severe medical conditions.
Some of the medical conditions which may qualify under the SSA’s compassionate allowance scheme include the following:
- alpha mannosidosis - Type II and III;
- ALS/parkinsonism dementia complex;
- alstrom syndrome;
- bladder cancer - with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable;
- blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm;
- breast cancer - with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable;
- early-onset Alzheimer’s disease;
- esophageal cancer;
- head and neck cancers - with distant metastasis or inoperable or unresectable;
- kidney cancer - inoperable or unresectable;
- liver cancer;
- heart transplant graft failure’
How Esthesioneuroblastoma May Qualify For a Compassionate Allowance
Applicants are required to meet the requirements in section 13.13A 2 or 13.13 B 1 of the SSA’s Blue Book for Neoplastic Diseases-Malignant-Adult
Medical Evidence for Esthesioneuroblastoma
The SSA requires medical evidence which proves the presence of Esthesioneuroblastoma. This could include the following:
- a physical examination which is an examination of the eyes, nose, and head and neck which gives the doctor important information for understand the extent of the tumor's and aid in its diagnosis;
- the results of Imaging tests such as an MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) help to find the location and extent of the esthesioneuroblastoma;
- the results of a biopsy; tissue sample in a lab.
Get Help With Your Esthesioneuroblastoma Claim
The SSA’s compassionate allowance scheme makes it easier for victims of esthesioneuroblastoma to get disability benefits as soon as possible but unless sufficient evidence is provided proving the diagnosis the claim could still be denied. However, if you work with an attorney you may get the disability benefits you deserve as an attorney may be able to help you compile an application that is likely to be accepted by the SSA.
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