Any application for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can take at least three months to be reviewed by the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Disability Determination Services (DDS) office. The DDS additionally denies benefits for the majority of applicants during the initial review – about 70 percent according to national averages. Those denied benefits must usually undergo a second review and eventually an appeal hearing as well. This entire process can take a year to two years in most locations.
Because people who have very severe disabilities and terminal illnesses don’t have months or years to wait for a decision on their eligibility for SSD benefits, the SSA developed the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program in 2008, which is a process by which the DDS can expedite the review and approval of claims which are based on specific kinds of disabilities.
Currently, there are 113 disabling conditions which are among the SSA’s CAL list, though an additional 52 were recently approved for inclusion in the CAL program. Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III is among them, and is scheduled to become active in the CAL program as of August 13, 2012.
If you’ve received a diagnosis of Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III, the information that follows may help you understand how the SSA reviews disability claims for the specific condition. The following information will also provide you some guidelines for seeing a quick and smooth approval of disability benefits under the CAL guidelines of the SSA.
Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III – Condition and Symptoms
Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis is a form of cancer caused by a rare variant of the common Epstein-Barr virus. This disease affects the central nervous and lymphatic systems. It typically has extensive effects on the pulmonary system. Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis is a systemic disease, which means its affects can involve the entire body.
Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III is the most advanced form of the disease. In Grade I and II, only the central nervous and pulmonary systems may be affected. In Grade III however, the spleen, kidneys, liver and other organs as well as the skin and lymph nodes are typically affected.
Multiple tests can be useful in diagnosing Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis, including liver and kidney function tests and blood chemistry examinations. Symptomatic diagnosis is most common as the cluster of symptoms along with an elevated white blood cell count usually point to the disease.
Grade I and II Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis can be benign or precancerous. Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III is however an advanced form of cancer. For this reason, the treatment of Grade III Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis is quite distinct from that employed with Grade I and II.
Treatment includes the use of chemotherapy, radiation and surgical removal of tumors, when possible, though the disease is typically resistant to all traditional treatments in its latter stages. Corticosteroids and other similar medications can help lessen pulmonary symptoms, and other symptom-based medications may also be required. Immune suppression medications may additionally be administered, as the disease is driven by an autoimmune response, though secondary or “opportunistic” infections are an increased risk when immuno-suppression therapy is employed.
In most instances, chemotherapy is ineffective. When multiple tumors are present or when organs, blood vessels and other areas of the body are involved, surgical removal of tumors may not be possible. Radiation is usually utilized following surgery but can be ineffective as well. Experimental treatments of Interferon and Ganciclovir show some promise, but there is no well-studied and effective treatment for this rare, ultimately terminal condition.
Complications in the later stages of the disease increasingly affect the entire body. Respiratory infections and failure are common. Other infections are also common due to compromised immune system response. Those cases in which neurological involvement is extensive may also include progressively worsening of neurological symptoms like seizures, mental status deterioration and neuropathy.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III
A diagnosis of Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III alone does not guarantee you’ll be approved for benefits. Thorough medical records must be presented in any SSD benefits application, even when the claim is filed for a condition which falls under the CAL program. In other words, a diagnosis of Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III does not eliminate the medical records requirements of the SSA.
In fact, your application should include all medical records, including lab and other test results as well as statements from the different physicians who’ve treated the condition. The more medical detail you can include in your initial application the more quickly the SSA will typically approve benefits and the less likely you are to need to go through additional reviews or appeals.
Your Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III Social Security Disability Case
Though recently approved for inclusion in the Compassionate Allowances program, Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III disability claims are not guaranteed for automatic approval for disability benefits. You must still submit a well documented case for disability. A Social Security Disability attorney can assist you in putting together your application.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings or to discover whether you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits with a diagnosis of Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis Grade III, request a free case evaluation today.
