Hematologic diseases are disorders that primarily affect the blood and blood-forming organs. They include problems with red blood cells, white blood cells, bone marrow, lymph nodes, platelets, and the spleen.
Hematological disorders are one of the common types of physical disability the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers severe enough to automatically qualify someone for disability benefits.
What Disorders Qualify for Benefits?
The SSA evaluates both malignant (cancerous) and non-malignant (non-cancerous) hematological disorders.
Non-Malignant Disorders
Non-malignant disorders such as hemolytic anemias, disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis, and disorders of bone marrow failure are all examples of those evaluated by the SSA. These disorders typically disrupt the normal development and function of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and clotting-factor proteins.
Malignant Disorders
Cancerous hematological disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma are evaluated by the Social Security Administration. However, there are two lymphomas associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that are not considered by the SSA.
To learn more about hematological disorders and how they’re evaluated, read through the SSA Blue Book.
Evidence You Will Need to Provide
Unfortunately, the SSA will need more than just your word in order to affirm your disability claim. They will need supporting evidence to show that you do, indeed, have a hematological disorder. One of the following supportive documentation will be necessary:
- A laboratory report, signed by a physician, definitively showing that you have a hematological disorder; or
- A laboratory report that shows you have a hematological disorder, not signed by a physician, but accompanied by a report from a physician stating such is true
- A persuasive report from a physician that a diagnosis of your hematological disorder was confirmed by appropriate lab analysis or other diagnostic methods.
If you’re considering filing a claim for social security disability benefits based on your hematological disorder, please seek the counsel of a reputable Knoxville Social Security Disability lawyer so that we can help guide you through the process.
Contact the Law Office of Drozdowski & Rabin Today
Our Social Security Disability attorneys will stop at nothing to help those dealing with physical and mental impairments get the benefits they need and deserve. Contact us via our website or call us at 865-205-8582 for your free case evaluation. Let the knowledgeable attorneys at Drozdowski & Rabin represent you in your disability case.
