Lymphoma
Lymphoma and SSD Benefits
Lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system. There are many types of lymphoma, but there are two that are most prevalent; one is known as Hodgkin’s disease while the other is referred to as Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s disease involves cancer of the lymph systems, such as lymph nodes, the spleen, and bone marrow. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can affect any part of the body and it comes about when a white blood cell (more specifically a T-Cell or B-Cell) becomes abnormal and begins to replicate throughout the body. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
The illness causes severe weakness that will not allow an individual to work. Chemotherapy can also cause symptoms that make it difficult to work.
Lymphoma and SSD Help
If the applicant’s impairment falls within any of the following categories set forth by Social Security’s Listing 13.05, then a strong claim may exist. The Listing is as follows;
A. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, as describe in 1 and 2:
- Aggressive lymphoma (including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) persistent or recurrent initial antineoplastic therapy.
- Indolent lymphoma (including mycosis fungoides and follicular small cleaved cell) requiring initiation of more than one antineoplastic treatment regimen within a consecutive 12-month period. Consider under a disability from at least the date of initiation of the treatment regimen that failed within 12 months.OR
B. Hodgkin’s disease with failure to achieve clinically complete remission, or recurrent disease within 12 months of completing initial antineoplastic therapy. OR
C. With bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. Consider under a disability until at least 12 months from the date of transplantation. Thereafter, evaluate any residual impairment(s) under the criteria for the affected body system.
The fatigue and weakness an individual suffers precludes many occupations. The side effects of chemotherapy may also make an individual too sick to work.
