Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that is thought to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Although mesothelioma is very rare, there are more than 2,500 new cases of this type of cancer diagnosed each year. Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma diagnosed in patients, accounting for approximately 70 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Individuals who are diagnosed with this condition are often unable to maintain full-time employment, resulting in the need for Social Security Disability benefits.
Many of the Social Security Disability applicants who file claims with the Social Security Administration are overwhelmed by the complex and lengthy disability claim and appeal process. Unfortunately, some applicants wait more than two years before they are awarded the disability benefits to which they are entitled. Due to the extreme severity of their condition, patients who have been diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma may not be able to wait such long periods of time before disability benefits begin.
Fortunately, the Social Security Administration has recognized that some disabling conditions warrant immediate attention and expedited disability claim processing. As a result, they took measures and implemented the Compassionate Allowances guidelines in 2008. Under these guidelines, some Social Security Disability applicants may obtain disability benefits in a matter of weeks rather than enduring the standard disability claim process. Those who have been diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma are among the applicants who are entitled to faster benefit approval under these guidelines.
If you have been diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma and are wondering how the condition affects your eligibility for Social Security Disability payments, the following information will help you understand the disability application process and how you may obtain benefits more quickly under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances listings.
Pleural Mesothelioma - Condition and Symptoms
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that results in tumors developing on the sacs that line the internal body cavities. This lining is referred to as the mesothelium. When these tumors develop in the lining of the lungs, the condition is referred to as Pleural Mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma is commonly referred to as asbestos lung cancer because the condition is caused by exposure to asbestos. This form of mesothelioma accounts for approximately 70 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses. When a patient develops Pleural Mesothelioma, malignant tumors begin to form in the lining of the lungs. As these tumors grow, they push against the other tissues of the body. As the mesothelioma progresses, it will metastasize into the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. Even though the cancer is no longer contained solely within the lungs at this point, it is still diagnosed as Pleural Mesothelioma.
When a patient suffers from Pleural Mesothelioma, they experience a thickening of the pleural membrane. This thickening is what results in the majority of Pleural Mesothelioma symptoms. Common symptoms associated with the condition include a persistent dry cough, coughing up blood, swallowing difficulties, shortness of breath, chest or rib pain, painful breathing, lumps under the skin on the chest, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.
Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma will vary depending on how far the cancer has progressed. The three main treatments for this type of cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. For patients who are diagnosed with the condition, only about five percent will survive more than five years beyond the date of diagnosis.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Pleural Mesothelioma
A patient who is diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma does qualify for Social Security Disability benefits under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances listings. This does not mean, however, that a diagnosis of this condition will guarantee an automatic approval of your Social Security Disability claim. In order to obtain the benefits to which you are entitled, you will need to submit as much medical evidence as possible with your application for Social Security Disability benefits.
When completing your Social Security Disability application, thoroughly answer all of the questions asked on the application forms. Make sure that your explanations are detailed in nature and try to avoid one-word or generalized answers whenever possible. You should also try to submit any and all relevant medical evidence with your claim for disability benefits. The more medical documentation you can provide, the more likely it is that you will be approved for disability benefits without the need for a disability appeal.
Your Pleural Mesothelioma Social Security Disability Case
Many of the Social Security Disability applicants who submit disability claims based on a diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma assume that their benefits will be automatically awarded by the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. While it does not happen very often, the SSA has been known to deny claims based on a Compassionate Allowances listing. This is usually due to a poorly prepared disability application or a lack of sufficient medical evidence. In some cases, denials are caused by a lack of knowledge on the part of the adjudicator reviewing the file. In order to avoid these issues, you may want to consider the services of a qualified disability attorney or advocate.
When working with a Social Security attorney or disability advocate, the professional you hire will work with you to ensure that your application for benefits is properly completed and that sufficient medical evidence is provided to the SSA with your disability claim. Your advocate or attorney will also ensure that your claim is presented to the Social Security Administration in the best light possible, increasing your chances of a quick approval under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings, or to find out whether you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a case of Pleural Mesothelioma, submit a request for a free disability case evaluation today.
