Disability

[sbmurray]

I've had robotic prostatectomy with follow up PSA 4.4, 2months of radiation, and a 4month dose of Lupron.Gleason=9. Latest PSA is 4.41. I have emotional issues, muscle aches, fatigue and on and on. Do i qualify for Social Security Disability? Just want an opinion if anybody else has done this. Thanks

[gusgold]

No harm in trying...you can complete the whole process online except the appointment with their Doc..and if you chose not to see their Doc or are able to touch your toes during exam you will be denied.

Gus

[sbmurray in reply to gusgold]

Definitely can't touch toes. and I would see any doc. I've got a large hernia right now from the prostatectomy. It sticks straight out and you can see it. Having sugery Tuesday to repair that. Seeing urologist at end of the month. seeing family doc at end of the month because my routine labs work came back with everything completely off. Feel like all I'm doing is going from one doc to another. Depressing, feels as if nothing is going right.

[Jvmott]

I went through the same ordeal including the hernia surgery .. stage 3 survivor and haven't had a days peace since before the surgery 3 years ago . I was told by a friend ..no!

I never called the office though..

[sbmurray in reply to Jvmott]

I know that Prostate Cancer is a fast track diagnosis but it has to be worst case scenario. Why isn't just going through all crap enough. They want you to have definite metastasis. I do have mets to some lymph but that's not enough. I did apply and had an over the phone interview. I went on their website it says denied and I will get a letter in the mail as to why. Guess I'm not sick enough.

[Grrunt]

I applied for Social Security Disability and received it. I did it online. I had a physical by one of their doctors. If you look at the Social Security website, use the link below for the prostate cancer criteria.

ssa.gov/disability/professi...

If you are a veteran who served in Vietnam you can also get benefits from the VA.

Good Luck with your treatment.

[sfboy58]

You should definitely apply for disability. I have CRPC with bone mets and was initially denied, but got a lawyer and was approved retroactive to when I retired. That was an additional $13k in back benefits and the lawyer only cost $3k (SSA sets the lawyers fees as a percentage of back benefits awarded). Well worth it!

[sbmurray in reply to sfboy58]

Wow I did not know that. I'm learning so much here. Thanks

[celler6]

I applied and was denied. I now have mCRPC with bone mets. A law firm got it done and since then I've handled every request for continuation myself. They won't ask me again until 2018. The diagnosis alone should hasten the process--they are aware of the debilitating effects of treatment.

[RA-MA]

For my husband it seemed that lymph edema made the difference in qualifying. He got turned down when he first applied. We hired an attorney who specializes in this field. He told us that we would appeal and virtually 100% of appeal applicants get rejected so we would go before a judge. Went before the judge and won. The money starts from when you first apply so when the money finally came, it was large. $6000 went to the attorney and the rest to my husband. We had to pay taxes on that full amount including the $6000 for the attorney. Now my husband will get ssdi for his lifetime. If you are young, it is probably worth it but stage 4 metastatic disease without bone mets, probably wasn't enough. Lymphedema that happened after the first application, seemed to be what the judge focused on. That and memory issues. Good luck.

[sbmurray in reply to RA-MA]

Thank you. I'm going to talk with urologist about it and see what he has to say. The family doc gave the ok to apply. Then going to file an appeal. Illness really takes a toll on your finances and family. All you want is what you deserve. Thanks again.

[JoelT]

It is very common for an initial denial of a claim. After denial you should appeal the decision.

Joel

[sbmurray in reply to JoelT]

Thanks definitely going to appeal.

[Hidden]

Applying for Social Security Disability with Prostate Cancer

See if this works for you, and me. I never tried to ad an attachment.

Joe

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh well, better luck next time.

[sbmurray]

Thanks. I'm still trying to figure this all out. I appreciate any knowledge that everyone here is willing to share.

[Hidden]

I know for a fact that any man with CRPC is eligible for SS disability. I found out after the fact, that I didn't need a lawyer. I had to provide the proof, it consisted of a PSA test that showed it had risen after a period of low/nil PSA. This is where it got weird. Not only did the lawyer not get it, the judge didn't either. I said to him, see the two numbers on the two pages next to where it says 'PSA", one says 0.1, the next says 3.6. Done. But it wasn't my job to do this. My wife came upon a story about it way back when is was being implemented, and I'm certain it must be easier today.

Yea right...Joe

[sbmurray]

On the Social Security Disability site it gives you the criteria you have to meet. One of them is distant mets. So everything your going through is not quite enough.