The answer to your dismay of receiving a denied disability claim for prostate cancer should be to file an appeal with the SSA. Filing an appeal for denied disability benefits means presenting stronger evidence that includes the results of a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment.
Finding out that you have prostate cancer, or any type of cancer for that matter, can shake you to the core. Things get worse when the Social Security Administration (SSA) says you are denied disability benefits to help you pay for medical bills, as well as the money lost because you no longer work. You thought you would never hear the three words “denied disability benefits” associated with a prostate cancer claim. If your prostate cancer disability claim was denied, follow these steps to help your appeal.
Submit More Compelling Evidence
The first go-around did not go well with the SSA because you did not back up your Social Security disability claim with enough convincing medical evidence. Although prostate cancer lists under Section 13.24 of the Blue Book, the SSA wants applicants to prove that severe symptoms of prostate cancer have forced them off the job. The key is to submit powerful medical evidence to the SSA that demonstrates you suffer from severe prostate cancer symptoms.
What are some of the severe symptoms of prostate cancer? Dealing with urination issues can negatively impact work performance, especially if the symptoms include intense pain and blood in the urine. Substantial bone pain can make standing up a major daily feat. Substantial weight loss can lead to a compromised immune system, which triggers other medical ailments that exacerbate the severity of your prostate cancer symptoms.
Proving Severe Prostate Cancer Symptoms
The team of medical examiners from the SSA want to see medical evidence that confirms you deal with severe prostate cancer symptom. Evidence in the form of ultrasounds detects the size of cancer tumors, which are a direct function of the seriousness of your prostate cancer symptoms.
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test creates a more detailed image of the size of your cancer tumors. Collecting prostate tissue is an accurate way to determine whether your prostate symptoms are getting worse.
Complete an RFC Assessment
Winning an appeal for a prostate cancer disability claim often comes down to the results of an RFC assessment. A medical examiner from Disability Determination Services (DDS) puts you through a battery of tests to determine how much work you can complete while dealing with prostate cancer symptoms.
Since frequent urination can significantly disrupt sleep patterns, your RFC assessment can include a test that measures your fatigue level. Treating prostate cancer can include radiation and/or chemotherapy, both of which can dramatically reduce your stamina. The doctor administering the RFC assessment might put you through physical exercises that gauge your stamina level.
The Clock is Ticking on Your Prostate Denied Disability Claim
You have 60 days from the day you received the denial letter from the SSA to file an appeal. You should file an appeal as soon as you can to get a prompt response from the SSA. A Social Security lawyer can help you stay on track with your appeal, as well as collect and organize the medical evidence you need to reverse the denied disability claim.
Fill out a Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an attorney who subscribes to the website. A lawyer may be able to determine how to proceed with your disability appeal. Most Social Security lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you should not have to pay any upfront legal fees.
