Skin Cancer and Qualifying for Disability Benefits

It is estimated that 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, the most common form of cancer in the United States and worldwide.

Skin cancer is the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in the skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis.Skin cancer is the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in the skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis. Damaged DNA triggers mutation in skin cells causing them to rapidly multiply and form malignant tumors. There are three types of skin cells: squamous cells lying just below the epidermis which act as the skin’s inner lining, basal cells that produce new cells and lie below squamous cells, and melanocytes which are located in the lower part of the epidermis and produce pigment giving skin its color.

The Social Security Administration lists skin cancer as an impairment in its Blue Book under Section 13.03, but has specific requirements in order for an applicant to be eligible for disability benefits.

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If you have skin cancer, it may prevent you from working. The SSA recognizes skin cancer in the list of conditions eligible for benefits for certain individuals. If you have been denied benefits you may wish to appeal the claim. Call 512-454-4000

Qualifying for Disability Benefits for Skin Cancer

Skin cancer that has spread can be difficult to cure and can return.

Additionally, the side effects of treatment may cause pain, nausea and fatigue, which could make it difficult for an individual to continue working. The Social Security Administration lists skin cancer as an impairment in its Blue Book under Section 13.03,The Social Security Administration lists skin cancer as an impairment in its Blue Book under Section 13.03, but has specific requirements in order for an applicant to be eligible for disability benefits.

An applicant must show evidence of one of the following:

•    Skin cancer that has spread beyond local lymph nodes; or
•   Melanoma that returns after lesions and surrounding skin has been removed; or
•   Melanoma that has spread to a lymph node that is clinically apparent (obvious) or to 4 or more lymph nodes; or
•   Melanoma that has spread to nearby skin or distant sites.

Your medical records must state the type of skin cancer you have, where it began and where it has spread to.

You should also provide biopsy and pathology reports and complete information on all treatments received, including the type, duration, and effects.

Usually, skin cancer and its treatment are not disabling; unless you specifically match the requirements of the listing, it may be difficult to be approved for Social Security disability benefits under skin cancer alone.

However, side effects of radiation or chemotherapy that continue past one year may have an impact on an individual’s ability to work. The most common side effects are fatigue, pain, nausea, memory problems and decreased feeling in the fingers or toes. Also, those with skin cancer must limit the time they spend outdoors, and if a person’s job requires them to be outside, for example, if they work in construction or landscaping, they may not be able to return to their job or find other suitable employment, especially if they are 55 or older.

You may still be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if you have another impairment; for example, an autoimmune disorder such as lupus.

Applicants often have more than one illness or injury that prevents them from working full time. By itself one disorder may not meet the requirements of an impairment as stated in Social Security’s Blue Book. However, if an applicant has multiple medical conditions, Social Security must consider how those health issues, combined together, limit an applicant’s ability to hold a job and perform necessary daily tasks. Social Security will also evaluate how your limitations affect your ability to work (called a medical-vocational assessment), taking into account whether or not you are able to drive, your age, and level of education.

If you have skin cancer and it has impacted your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Income.

Most initial claims for benefits are denied. If you would like help applying for benefits or fighting a denial, the attorneys at Bemis, Roach and Reed can help. We have experience filing claims and appealing denied disability claims. Contact us today for a free consultation.

In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, you will need to satisfy a few specific requirements in two categories as determined by the Social Security Administration.

The first category is the Work Requirements which has two tests.

1.   The Duration of Work test.   Whether you have worked long enough to be covered under SSDI.
2.   The Current Work Test.   Whether you worked recently enough for the work to actually count toward coverage.

The second category is the Medical Eligibility Requirement.

1.   Are you working?   Your disability must be “total”.
2.   Is your medical condition severe?    Your disability must be “severe” enough to interfere with your ability to perform basic work-related activities, such as walking, sitting, and remembering.
3.   Is your medical condition on the List of Impairments?   The SSA has a “List of Impairments” that automatically qualify as “severe” disabilities. If your disease is not listed this does not mean you cannot get disability, it means you must prove you cannot maintain employment due to your limitations.
4.   Can you do the work you did before?   SSDI rules look at whether your medical condition prevents you from doing the work you did prior to developing the condition.
5.   Can you do any other type of work?   If you cannot do your prior work, an evaluation is made as to whether you can perform any other kind of work.

More details can be found on our Qualifying for Disability page.