Before 2008 it took all Social Security Disability applicants anywhere from 3 months to more than 3 years to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits. The majority of applicants had to wait a minimum of 2 years before benefits were granted and paid. Unfortunately, not all disability applicants were able to wait such lengths of time for benefits to kick in due to the severity of their conditions. In 2008 the SSA responded by implementing the Compassionate Allowances program. Under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, certain applicants could be awarded benefits in as little as 10 days if they met certain qualifying criteria. There are now 200 conditions that qualify for Compassionate Allowances processing. Fryns Syndrome is one of the 200 conditions.
Fryns Syndrome - Condition and Symptoms
Fryns Syndrome is a condition that affects many different parts of the body. The symptoms of the condition can vary significantly one from person to the next and these symptoms often overlap the symptoms of many other disorders. This can make the condition very difficult to diagnose. The majority of people who suffer from Fryns Syndrome have a defect in the muscle separating the abdomen from the diaphragm of the chest. This often results in a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which allows the intestines to move into the chest, thereby crowding the lungs and heart. This results in the lungs not developing properly, resulting in breathing difficulties that could be fatal in affected infants. Other common symptoms of the condition include:
- Cleft lip and/or cleft palate
- Large mouth
- Diaphragm defects
- Absence of nails
- Short end of fingers and toes
- Genital abnormalities
- Cystic dysplasia of kidneys
- Ventricular septic defects
- Central nervous system malformations
- Severe developmental delays
- Intellectual disability
While the exact cause of Fryns Syndrome is unknown, it is thought to be linked to an autosomal recessive genetic mutation. The prognosis of the condition depends on the severity of the malformations caused by it. Treatment is usually symptomatic.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Fryns Syndrome
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a case of Fryns Syndrome, you will need to provide the SSA with medical evidence that proves the severity of the applicant’s condition. In order to support the disability claim so that it will be processed under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program, the SSA will look for specific medical evidence. In order to avoid delays with the approval of your claim, you will want to make sure that you include the following medical documentation with your claim for Social Security Disability benefits:
- A clinical history that describes the diagnostic features of the impairment
- Laboratory findings
- Developmental assessment results
- Psychological test results
- Imaging test results, including chest and abdominal radiographs, cranial ultrasound examinations, echocardiograms, and renal ultrasounds
- Proof of congenital diaphragmatic hernia requiring emergency surgery at birth
- Findings of pulmonary hypoplasia
- Documentation of characteristic facial features
- Evidence of GI or GU abnormalities
Because each case of Fryns Syndrome can vary drastically from one patient to the next, not all of the above-mentioned evidence will pertain to your case. The goal, however, is to submit any of the medical evidence that pertains to the applicant’s Social Security Disability claim. By submitting this medical evidence, you are helping the SSA understand that the claim qualifies for processing under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances guidelines, allowing for fast-track processing of your claim.
Fryns Syndrome and Your Social Security Disability Case
When submitting a disability claim based on Fryns Syndrome, it is important to work with a Social Security Disability lawyer. These attorneys will ensure that your claim is prepared and processed properly, helping you to avoid delays or denials of your initial claim. The professional you choose will likely work on a contingency basis, collecting only 25 percent of any back pay you may receive from the SSA (up to a maximum amount of $6,000).
