Hematological disorders, or blood diseases, are one of many different impairments that individuals can find in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Listing of Impairments. A person’s diagnosis with such a condition alone wouldn’t generally make them eligible to receive Social Security Disability (SSD). It may in certain cases though.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with hemophilia or other coagulation defects may qualify for SSD benefits. That person must be able to show proof that they’ve experienced unexpected hemorrhaging resulting in a blood transfusion on at least three occasions during the five months preceding their filing of an SSD application though. If an applicant is unable to provide such laboratory records, then it’s unlikely that their request for SSD will be approved.
Someone who suffers from a condition such as sickle cell disease may also qualify for SSD benefits provided that they can provide proof that they experience frequent thrombotic crises. An applicant must be able to show that these episodes have happened three or more times during the five months preceding their application for benefits. If an individual has been hospitalized for this condition three or more times during the previous 12 months, then they may qualify for benefits as well.
Individuals who suffer from chronic anemia may qualify for disability benefits. An applicant for benefits must show that they’ve been evaluated by a doctor within the past three months and that their condition has persisted for just as long to qualify for disability payments. That same individual must require at least one blood transfusion every other month for the SSA to award them benefits though. Case reviewers may look at the bone and other imagining scans to aid them in determining eligibility for benefits.
Hereditary telangiectasia, polycythemia, chronic thrombocytopenia or granulocytopenia, polycythemia vera, aplastic anemia and myelofibrosis are all also included on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments as potentially disabling blood disorders.
Documenting that you have a serious medical condition likely isn’t difficult. Proving that it is so serious that it prevents you from being able to work for longer than 12 months in any capacity or that it’s terminal may be harder to do. An attorney in Mobile can help you compile the necessary documentation that you need to justify that you deserve to receive an award here in Alabama.
