Applying for Social Security Disability with Acute Leukemia
Acute Leukemia – Condition and Symptoms
Leukemia is a family of cancers of the bone marrow or blood that cause abnormal levels of white blood cell production. Acute leukemia is a type of leukemia that causes cells to increase rapidly and to be released from the bone marrow before they are fully mature. These immature white blood cells affect both the blood stream and other body organs. They also affect the bone marrow’s ability to produce healthy cells.
Nearly 90% of leukemia is found in adults, but acute leukemia is the most common form among children. When acute leukemia is detected, it requires immediate and aggressive treatment. This is due largely to the rapid nature in which the disease spreads through the bone marrow and the rest of the body.
While acute leukemia is often seen in children, it can also strike adults. There are actually several subtypes of acute leukemia, and the survival rate varies from one type to the next. In general, about 85% of the children with acute leukemia survive and about half of the adults with the disease survive, both with appropriate treatment. Like many other forms of cancer, acute leukemia is treated with a combination of medications and chemotherapy. In some cases, it is also treated with radiation therapy. In some high risk or relapse cases, bone marrow transplantation is used.
Common symptoms associated with acute leukemia include anemia, pallor, and dyspnea. A compromised immune system is also a major symptom of acute leukemia, and results in susceptibility to infections and illnesses. Other symptoms that sometimes accompany leukemia are fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, mouth sores, tonsil infections, and pneumonia. Pneumonia can be particularly life threatening to a person with acute leukemia, as their body lacks a healthy immune system to help them fight it off.
If acute leukemia is suspected, a doctor will conduct a complete blood count several times and will perform a bone marrow extraction. Leukemia is often hard to diagnose in its early stages, in part because many of its symptoms are similar to the flu and other less serious conditions. As many as 20% of people who have leukemia are undiagnosed, according to recent studies conducted by the American Cancer Society.
If leukemia is detected, your doctor will generally conduct other blood tests to determine how much damage has been caused to your liver and kidneys. These tests may also be performed periodically during chemotherapy. In some cases, medical imaging tests such as ultrasound, X-ray and MRI are also used to help detect the extent of organ damage.
Filing for Disability with an Acute Leukemia Diagnosis
The way you should go about filing for Social Security Disability benefits with an acute leukemia diagnosis depends on what stage the disease is in. If your leukemia is in the blast (final) stage, you qualify for a compassionate allowance. This means that you will automatically qualify for disability benefits, and will start receiving them much faster than other applicants. There’s no need to do anything special other than making sure that all of your medical documentation is included in your claim and that everything is filled out properly. You will be placed in the compassionate allowance program automatically and should start receiving benefits within a month.
For other acute leukemia in other stages, the requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income are spelled out in Section 13.06 of the Blue Book. Your diagnosis of acute leukemia meets the listing for benefits, and you should be qualified for disability benefits for two years from the time of your diagnosis or one year from the time of your transplantation, whichever allows you more time.
After that time, you will generally be re-evaluated to see if your condition has improved or whether you still need to receive Social Security Disability benefits. If you are approved to continue receiving benefits, you will generally be re-evaluated periodically from then on.
Regardless of the stage of your acute leukemia, you will need to include the results of blood tests, medical imaging tests, and any other medical documentation regarding your leukemia diagnosis. You will also need to include documentation of all treatments you have undergone and your response to them.
Your Acute Leukemia Disability Case
You are entitled to represent yourself when filing for disability benefits. However, your chances of having your claim approved are much higher if you are represented by a Social Security Disability lawyer.
Additionally, it’s always a good idea to have a competent attorney who is acquainted with the facts of your case, especially during redeterminations or appeals.
In most cases, you will have little trouble having your benefits approved with acute leukemia. However, to make sure everything is properly filed the first time so as to avoid needless delays, it can still be helpful to have a Social Security Disability attorney or advocate on your side. To have your claim reviewed for free, fill out the request for a free case evaluation.
