How to Get Disability for Blood Disorders

Because your blood runs through your body and is necessary to the function of all vital organs, hematological—or blood—disorders can be disabling. If you have a blood disorder, you might be eligible for disability benefits. For approval, you must provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with proof that your condition limits your ability to work and function. Our skilled disability attorneys can help.

At the Disability Advantage Group, our attorneys specialize in winning disability benefits for our clients. We have helped many people win benefits, including those with blood disorders. With our tools and resources, your claim has the best chance of a favorable outcome. Call us today for a free consultation. You can meet with one of our attorneys, have all your questions answered, and receive advice on your claim. Call 865-566-0800 today to set up an appointment to discuss how the SSA awards disability for blood disorders.

How Does the SSA Determine If a Blood Disorder Is Disabling?

The SSA has specific criteria about what it takes to receive disability approval. These criteria differ for each medical condition. For blood disorders, we have to demonstrate several things.

You Suffer From Repeated Complications Related to Your Condition

The SSA requires proof that your blood disorder creates repeated complications in your life. They are very specific about what they mean by this. We must show that you suffer complications at least three times per year, or once every four months, and that each complication lasts two weeks or longer. If your complications do not typically last for two weeks, we have to prove they occur more frequently than four times per year.

Our attorneys work with your doctors to gather the necessary proof that your complications meet the SSA’s requirements for both duration and frequency.

Your Condition Causes Marked Functional Limitations

We also have to show that, due to your condition, you suffer marked limitations in at least one of the following three areas.

Activities of daily living: These include tasks such as household chores, self-grooming, bathing, paying bills, running errands, taking public transportation, and shopping. Even if you can perform certain activities, we can show a marked functional limitation exists if doing so causes severe and debilitating fatigue.

Social functioning: To qualify under this category, your blood disorder must negatively impact your ability to interact with others appropriately and comfortably on a sustained basis. Again, if sustained social interaction results in severe anxiety or fatigue—and we can demonstrate this through medical documentation—we can prove a marked functional limitation.

Completing tasks: If your disorder makes it difficult or impossible to maintain the concentration, persistence, or pace needed to complete tasks, we can show you suffer from a marked limitation in this area.

What Proof Does the SSA Need to Evaluation My Claim?

Once we establish what we must prove, our next task is to gather the necessary evidence to do just that. Our attorneys have experience with disability cases, including ones involving blood disorders. We know exactly what evidence needs to be present in order to build a winning case.

In your case, the SSA will look for a variety of medical documentation that shows the severity of your blood disorder.

A Signed Lab Report

The best evidence we can produce lab report signed by a physician establishing a blood disorder. Even if we have this evidence, we will still back it up with additional supporting documents if possible.

An Unsigned Lab Report and a Signed Medical Report

A possible alternative to a signed lab report is an independent lab report—meaning one not signed by a physician—plus a detailed and signed report from your physician that states you have the disorder indicated on the lab report.

A Persuasive Medical Report

If you do not have access to a lab report that confirms your blood disorder, we will work to provide the SSA with a persuasive letter from your physician confirming your diagnosis. This report should detail the exact method of diagnosis doctors used to establish your condition.

Which Blood Disorders Does the SSA Consider Disabling?

There are many types of blood disorders for which we can prove you are eligible to receive benefits. They fall under two categories: malignant and non-malignant.

Malignant Blood Disorders

Malignant blood disorders include the following types of cancer:

  • Lymphoma;
  • Leukemia; and
  • Multiple myeloma.

These three types of cancer are all the invasive kind, for which the SSA tends to be generous with approving disability benefits. However, approval is still not automatic. We still must prove your condition—or the treatment for it—impairs your ability to work and carry out daily activities. Our attorneys know how to win benefits for clients with blood cancers and we can put our experience to work for you.

Non-malignant Blood Disorders

We can also pursue benefits if you have any of the following non-cancerous blood disorders:

  • Hemolytic anemia, including sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and their variants;
  • Thrombosis and hemostasis, including hemophilia;
  • Bone marrow failure, including aplastic anemia, myelofibrosis, granulocytopenia, and myelodysplastic syndromes; and
  • Blood disorders requiring stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.

If you have a blood disorder not listed anywhere above, contact our office. We have successfully fought for benefits for clients with conditions such as anemia, retinopathy, osteonecrosis, central nervous system infarction, and even skin ulcers. The SSA has a process by which we can document your limitations for conditions not specifically listed in their literature. We work with your doctors to build the strongest, most thorough, most compelling case.

Trust the Team at the Disability Advantage Group, to Fight for Your Benefits.

Do not trust your disability case to just any lawyer. The SSA is a complex organization and the decisions they come to often seem arbitrary. We have worked with many clients who were initially denied benefits before coming to us. These clients had legitimate medical conditions but, in many cases, left out key pieces of evidence that would have won their case. When you work with us, our attorneys ensure there are no holes in your case and that it is as thorough as possible.

Call 865-566-0800 today for a free consultation. Our attorneys look forward to putting their experience to work for you.