Prostate cancer is one of the many cancers included within the malignant neoplastic disease category of the Social Security Administration’s list of eligible disability impairments. Depending on the severity and long-term diagnosis of the condition, prostate cancer may even qualify for a compassionate allowance (CAL). A CAL approval will ensure that benefits are awarded as quickly as possible, as long as you meet the requirements within the prostate cancer disability listing.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
The prostate is a small gland situated between the rectum and bladder in men that plays an important role in reproduction. Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the prostate mutate and rapidly divide inside the gland. This growth eventually presses against the bladder, cuts off circulation to the urethra, and infects surrounding tissue.
Diagnosing prostate cancer begins with regular exams and routine blood work to detect abnormally high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, to diagnose the condition, ultrasounds and biopsies of the cellular mass are required. According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment options for prostate cancer can involve surgery to remove the mass, as well as radiation, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy to prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Since prostate cancer can quickly spread to other areas of the body, the SSA recognizes aggressive prostate cancer as eligible for disability consideration.
Proving Your Condition and Your Need for Disability
The process of applying for disability can be tedious and confusing, not to mention disappointing. In fact, the majority of claimants, as many as 70 percent, wait months for a reply, only to be denied on their first attempt. However, since the SSA has recognized that disability benefits are necessary for certain illnesses, those who qualify for compassionate allowance status can have their benefits approved in a matter of weeks rather than months or years. The catch? You still must be able to prove your eligibility, your need for disability, and the severity of your condition. In other words, you need the following:
- Medical reports, diagnostics, images, and findings. To convince the SSA board of your eligibility, you must be able to show them concrete evidence of your cancer’s existence and its effects on your well-being. Providing detailed pathology reports, CT scans, and MRI images that confirm the presence of cancer is a good way to build a strong and verifiable claim. Doctor’s notes and opinions on the treatment and surgical options can also help to show the severity.
- Documentation of long term effects and expectations. In addition to verifying your condition, it’s important to illustrate how the condition affects your health, life, and ability to work. For compassionate allowance consideration, you must be able to provide evidence that your condition is expected to last more than 12 months, is inoperable, or has a high mortality rate. Satisfactory documentation includes doctor reports, oncologist notes, and expert witness statements (professional opinions from experts in the field of prostate cancer).
- A reliable attorney. To ensure that your claim has all of the necessary requirements as well as a persuasive collection of evidence, before filing you should always seek the professional guidance of a disability attorney.
Attorney John L. Keefe has dedicated his life to understanding the disability process and helping people be successful with their claims. He can explain the process in detail, while also providing you with the peace of mind you need during this devastating chapter of your life. Contact our office today to schedule your FREE consultation. At Keefe Disability Law, we do all we can to lift the weight of filing for disability off your shoulders. Call us today or take advantage of our live chat feature to get the help you need.
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If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 508.283.5500 to schedule your free consultation.
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