Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis and the Social Security Disability Compassionate Allowances Program
Waiting months to receive Social Security Disability benefits can be discouraging, frustrating, and in some cases impossible. The truth is that while some applicants are approved in as little as three months, more than 60 percent of those who apply for benefits are denied during the initial application process. This results in the need for a disability appeal, which can take years to complete.
To speed up the application process for those with extremely severe or terminal conditions, the SSA rolled out the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008. Under this program, certain claims can be processed in as little as 10 days rather than months or years. There are many conditions that are included in the Compassionate Allowances guidelines. Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis is one of them.
Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis Condition and Symptoms
Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis (also known as GCM) is an autoimmune, cardiovascular disorder. This very rare condition results in inflammation of the heart muscle and a rapid heartbeat starting in the ventricles of the cardiovascular system. The condition often progresses to heart failure. The onset of the condition is sudden, and often comes without warning. The cause of GCM is unknown. Although symptoms of GCM often vary from one patient to the next, common symptoms include:
- Chronic fever
- Signs of infection
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Chronic diarrhea
- Unexplained rashes
- Swelling of the joints
- Joint pain
Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis frequently results in the need for a heart transplant along with immunosuppression to ensure long-term survival. The condition is most commonly diagnosed in individuals who are older than 50. Fatalities from the condition often result from heart failure and/or ventricular arrhythmia.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis, you must provide the Social Security Administration with enough medical evidence to support your claim. When reviewing your application, the SSA will look for specific medical records to prove your condition. You will need to make sure that your application includes this evidence in order to prevent delays or even denial. Evidence to support a case of Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis includes:
- A clinical history and examination describing the diagnostic features of the impairment
- A cardiac MRI report
- A cardiac biopsy report
- An endomyocardial biopsy report
- Clinical laboratory test results
- Coronary angiography results
- Copies of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
- Biomarkers of cardiac injury
- Evidence of the presence of autoimmune diseases, such as collagen vascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, sarcoidosis, thyrotoxicosis, or Loeffler syndrome.
There is a poor prognosis for individuals who are diagnosed with this condition. While this condition does qualify for processing under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances guidelines, you will want to ensure that you provide as much of the above-mentioned evidence as possible when submitting your claim to ensure proper processing of your application.
Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis and Your Social Security Disability Case
When submitting a disability claim based on Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis, you should consider retaining the services of a Social Security Disability lawyer. A lawyer who practices in the area of disability law will ensure that your claim is prepared and processed correctly. This will help you avoid the appeal process and will ensure that you are processed under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, getting you benefits faster.
To find out more about applying for disability benefits due to a case of Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis, or to receive a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability claim, click here.
