TESTICULAR CANCER & SSD BENEFITS

WHAT IS TESTICULAR CANCER?

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the testicles, which are the male reproductive organs located in the scrotum. It is one of the most common types of cancer among men between the ages of 15 and 35. In fact, over 8,000 men will receive the diagnosis of testicular cancer this year in the United States alone. While there is not a specific gene linked to testicular cancer, the disease is passed on through genes. For example, the average age for a male to receive the diagnosis is two to three years younger than the general population if a first degree relative has testicular cancer.

However, treatment for testicular cancer is usually successful. Therefore, the risk of dying from the disease is low. For example, out of the 8000 men diagnosed this year, about 400 will die from the disease. The lifetime risk of dying from testicular cancer is also low. It is about 1 in 5000 men. Unfortunately, rates for new testicular cancer cases have been rising on average 0.8% each year over the last 10 years. Testicular cancer is highest among White men, lowest among African-Americans, and most rapidly increasing in Hispanic populations.

Though testicular cancer can be a serious health concern, it is highly treatable. The key to successful treatment lies in understanding what testicular cancer is, what the symptoms are, and how to detect it. This article will discuss testicular cancer and how it may qualify you for SSDI and SSI benefits. In order to win benefits your testicular cancer must prevent you from working for one year or more.

DOES TESTICULAR CANCER QUALIFY FOR SSDI & SSI BENEFITS?

Testicular cancer is a serious condition that can cause severe physical and mental symptoms. It can impact your ability to work and make it difficult for you to support yourself. Fortunately, there are several ways for a person with testicular cancer to obtain Social Security benefits. These benefits can provide financial stability and peace of mind while you work to manage your condition. We will discuss the different types of Social Security benefits available for testicular cancer and how you can apply for them. We will also discuss the importance of hiring a lawyer with Social Security legal experience, like Cannon Disability Law, to help you win benefits.

Most men with testicular cancer apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. This is a benefit that pays a portion of your monthly income to replace your earnings, because you are unable to work due to illness. To apply, you must submit an application to the Social Security Administration. You can apply online on the Social Security’s website. Next, you will need to submit medical evidence to the SSA that proves you cannot work for at least one year. This evidence should be from your treating doctor.

Another option is filing an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The SSI program provides benefits based on financial need, rather than your past earnings. Therefore, if you have testicular cancer, you can qualify for benefits even if you have no work experience. You can also win benefits if your cancer symptoms prevent you from working at your past job and any other job in the economy. Additionally, you can win benefits if the side effects from cancer treatment leave you unable to work.

TYPES OF TESTICULAR CANCER

There are two main types of testicular cancer. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are available for those who are unable to work due to this cancer. The first type of testicular cancer is seminomas and the second is nonseminomas.

Seminomas is a slow growing type of testicular cancer that generally stays contained within the testicles, though it can spread into the lymph nodes. This type of cancer reacts well to radiation therapy. Seminomas make up about 40 percent of all testicular cancers.

Nonseminomas is a cancer that grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other areas of the body. This type of testicular cancer begins in cells that form sperm.

The single greatest risk factor for testicular cancer is heredity. If you have a  brother or son who has a finding of testicular cancer, then you are 6 to 10 times higher to have testicular cancer. Studies in families and twins suggest that testicular cancers may be inheritable in up to about 50% of closely related relatives, making testicular germ cell tumors more likely to be inherited than breast cancer, colorectal or ovarian cancers. Learn more, if you need information about female genital tract cancer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TESTICULAR CANCER

The most common sign of testicular cancer is a lump or swelling in one or both testicles. Other testicular cancer symptoms may include:

• pain in the testicles, back, or lower abdomen
• swelling or lumps in the testicle
• bruising or bleeding
• fatigue
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• infections
• kidney damage
• pain in the lower abdomen or groin

It is important to note that not all lumps or swelling in the testicles are cancerous. However, if you notice any changes or abnormalities you have your doctor evaluate the lumps. Testicular cancer is highly treatable when detected early, so it is important to seek medical attention if you notice any of the signs or symptoms.

Those who have testicular cancer who are actively receiving treatment may suffer from side effects that affect their physical capabilities, including pain from the cancer itself, and fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or infections from the treatments. Long-term side effects from testicular cancer, including nerve damage and lung damage, may also affect their ability to do physical work permanently. Testicular cancer treatment can also affects one’s sensory capabilities, such as hearing and nerve sensations, which can affect your ability to adapt to certain job environments.

TREATMENT FOR TESTICULAR CANCER

The treatment for testicular cancer depends on the stage and type of cancer, as well as your overall health. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Surgery is usually the first step in treating testicular cancer and may be followed by radiation or chemotherapy to ensure all cancer cells are destroyed. Hormone therapy may also be used to reduce testosterone levels, which can slow or stop tumor growth. Targeted therapies are also available for certain types of testicular cancer that have specific genetic mutations.

The American Cancer Society notes that the risk of developing testicular cancer increases with age and is highest between the ages of 15 and 34. Your doctor may perform a physical exam to look for signs of cancer, such as a lump or mass on the scrotum, pain in the lower abdomen, or decreased sexual function. If a doctor suspects testicular cancer, they will perform an ultrasound or CT scan to evaluate for abnormalities.

HOW TO MEET LISTING 13.25 FOR TESTICULAR CANCER

Social Security Listing 13.25 addresses testicular cancer. To meet this listing, you must prove that you have a cancerous tumor of the testicle that has spread or recurred despite an initial round of chemotherapy.

In order to prove that you meet this listing, your medical records should include:

• the type of testicular cancer
• evidence that the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, beyond the testicles
• treatment records showing you have undergone chemotherapy
• the result of treatment and therapy
• your prognosis

Meeting the listing is always based upon the medical records. One of the best things you can do for your case is obtain a letter from your treating doctor about your cancer. For example, your doctor can discuss when your cancer began, your symptoms, and if your cancer prevents you from working. Additionally, your doctor should review the testicular cancer listing and address whether you meet the listing in their letter.

HOW TO EQUAL THE LISTING?

You can win benefits if your condition doesn’t meet the listing, but is considered equally severe. For example, if you have testicular cancer that is treated with radiation or surgery, rather then chemotherapy, then your condition may equal the listing if your cancer has spread. Even if you didn’t have chemotherapy, as radiation and surgery are common forms of treatment for this cancer, it is possible for the SSA to find that you should be paid benefits.

Those who do not meet or equal a listing may be able to qualify for benefits if they can show they can’t work due to the symptoms of testicular cancer. The SSA will look consider your symptoms and your physical and mental limits. They will then determine if your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) prevents you from working. If so, then you will still win benefits. Learn more about the signs that you will win SSD benefits.

TESTICULAR CANCER CAN IMPACT YOUR RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY

If your testicular cancer does not meet the listing, you can still receive benefits if your cancer impairs your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC is the medical definition of what you can physically do in a work setting during an eight hour day, when considering your cancer symptoms.

Your RFC includes both your physical and mental limitations. In terms of physical limits, the SSA tries to define your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift, during the course of an 8 hour workday. Likewise, the SSA will include your ability to carry, pull, and push. In terms of mental limits, the SSA will consider any memory issues, your ability to concentrate and follow instructions, and your pain level. Find out more about how the SSA defines work.

In order to figure out your physical RFC, the SSA will examine your medical records. They will take into account what your doctor states in your medical records about your ability to work. Additionally, the SSA has their own doctors that review your medical records, but never meet or examine you. These doctors are paid by the government and work for DDS, the state agency who reviews all cases. The SSA will take the medical opinion of these doctors into account too. Likewise, if they need more information, they may send you to a medical exam. Learn more here about what to expect at SSA’s doctor exam.

The SSA will also consider descriptions of your symptoms from your family and friends. Find out more information about what types of evidence the SSA must consider. For example, your family or friends could write a statement about the effects of your cancer symptoms. Find out more here about RFC and how it combines with age to eliminate work.

DOES SSA CONSIDER THE EFFECTS OF CANCER THERAPY?

The SSA does consider the effects of your treatment for testicular cancer. Because treatment for cancer can cause severe symptoms, the SSA will consider the effects of the drugs you are taking and how often you are taking the drugs. Likewise, they will consider the impact of surgery.  Additionally, they will look at whether or not radiation therapy and chemotherapy give you severe symptoms which keep you from working.

The SSA will request a description of the problems or adverse effects of your treatment and therapy from your doctor. Or, they will review your medical records to find out whether you are having ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms, weakness, and neurological problems. They will also look at whether or not you are experiencing mental illness due to your cancer, like anxiety.  Many people, after treatment for cancer, suffer from memory loss, anxiety, and concentration issues.

The SSA states that in order to determine the adverse effects of therapy, enough time must pass to allow them to see the effect of the therapy. The SSA believes the effects of treatment are temporary in most instances. However, the effects of cancer treatment may keep you from working for at least 12 months in a row. In those situations, the SSA must determine that your medical condition prevents you from working for over one year. If so, the SSA should pay you SSDI benefits.

WHAT WE DO TO HELP YOU WIN SSD AND SSI BENEFITS 

You do not need to apply for Social Security benefits by yourself. You can always call our law firm and we will help you win benefits for testicular cancer. Cannon Disability can help you file your SSD and SSI application. Also, we can help you appeal every SSA denial. For example, our attorneys and staff can:

• Send you the paperwork you need to become our client
• Help you file your application for SSD and SSI benefits
• Inform the SSA that they should automatically pay your benefits under the Compassionate Allowance Rules
• Request an appeal if you receive an initial denial from DDS
• Help you confirm your SSA doctor exam
• Request a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• Prepare you to be a good witness at your SSA hearing
• Represent you at your hearing and question the expert witnesses
• Read more about vocational experts
• Learn more about medical expert testimony
• Request review of a decision at the Appeals Council
• Request review of an Appeals Council denial in Federal Court

If you file your application for benefits online at Social Security’s website, then you have 6 months to complete the application. Once you submit your application online, the SSA sends you an application summary in the mail. You must sign the summary and mail it back. If you don’t send it back, the SSA will not process your application. Sign it and send it back as soon as you can.

WE OFFER A FREE CONSULTATION ABOUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

If you need help filing for benefits for testicular cancer, then reach out to Cannon Disability Law. Taking the first step by calling us. All you need to do is reach out to our legal team.

Additionally, we offer a free review of your case. What that means is that you can call us and explain your situation. At that point, we will look at the merits of your case for free and let you know if you have a chance to win benefits. We do not charge you for our review of your case.

In the past 30 years, we have won over $100 million in SSDI and SSI benefits for our clients. We are experts at what we do and we will put our knowledge to work for you. Hire us to be your Social Security legal team.

We help clients win benefits in many states, including Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and California. Find out more about your benefits and how to apply in your state here:

• California SSDI and SSI benefits
• Colorado SSDI and SSI benefit information
• Idaho SSDI and SSI benefits
• Nevada SSDI and SSI benefits
• Utah SSDI and SSI benefits

No matter where you live, we want to be your legal team. Hire the best Social Security legal team with no money down. Also, there will be no attorney fee unless we win your case. Contact us today. We will do our best to help you win SSDI and SSI benefits for testicular cancer. We know that it is a serious disease, so we will also due our best to win your cancer benefits as quickly as possible.

YOU ONLY PAY ATTORNEY FEES IF YOU WIN YOUR BENEFITS

The SSA has capped attorney fees in Social Security cases at 25% of your past due or back benefit or $7200, which ever amount is less. This is the most your attorney can charge you if your case is won at the hearing level or below.

For example, if your attorney wins your SSDI case and your back benefit is $10,000, then the attorney fee will be 25% of the back benefit, or $2500. In such a case, you would not pay the $7200 cap. Instead, the attorney fee is 25% of the back benefit, which is less than the cap. This is what happens in most SSDI and SSI cases.

In another example, if you attorney wins your SSDI case and your back benefit is $100,000, the attorney fee is not $25,000, which is 25% of the back benefit. Instead, the attorney fee would be $7200. Because $7200 is the most your attorney can charge you after winning your case at the hearing level or below. That is true even if 25% is higher than the $7200 cap.

Additionally, your attorney can only charge an attorney fee if they win your case. In other words, if you do not win your benefits, then you do not pay an attorney fee. This means that your attorney has worked for up to two years on your case for free. So, if you don’t get benefits, your attorney doesn’t get paid. Obviously, your attorney has a good incentive to win your case. This type of attorney fee is known as a contingency fee, because it depends on you winning your cancer benefits.

IS IT WORTH THE ATTORNEY FEE TO HIRE AN SSD LAWYER?

It isn’t easy to get Social Security benefits and the application process can be frustrating for most people. But, having an attorney throughout this appeal process can be invaluable. It is our belief that when you have a law firm with experience handling your Social Security case, the SSA makes sure that they follow their own procedures. Additionally, when you have an attorney with legal experience, they will have access to Social Security’s decisions throughout the process. They can submit medical evidence that may be missing from your case on your behalf.

There is evidence that hiring an attorney with the proper experience raises your chances of winning your SSDI and SSI benefits by 30%. It is also smart to hire an attorney to help you at your hearing. After all, you are the star witness at your hearing. If you hire an attorney with experience, they can prepare you to be a good witness at your hearing. Learn more about how to prepare for your hearing.

HIRE US FOR OUR YEARS OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE

The SSA benefits application and appeal process can be long and complex. It certainly won’t be easier for you if you have testicular cancer. Hire Cannon Disability Law to give you legal advice and walk you through the application process. In the past 30 years, we have won millions of dollars in ongoing and past due due benefits for our clients.

If you want to win SSDI and SSI benefits, then hire an attorney with the legal experience to win your case. We work on a contingency basis. This means we do not charge you any money up front to help you or for you to become our client. Then, you only pay us an attorney fee when you win benefits. If you don’t win, you don’t pay an attorney fee. For help, contact us today.

If you want to learn more about our lawyers and staff, then read our About Us page. For example, you can learn about Andria Summers, who has 21 experience working at Cannon Disability Law. She can also help you with your Medicare advantage plan. She has also won thousands of SSDI and SSI cases.

Additionally, Dianna Cannon has been helping her clients win benefits for over thirty years. Ms. Cannon has years of Federal Court experience. She has also taught law school and written a book on SSDI benefits. Brett Bunkall also has years of legal experience helping people obtain their SSI and SSD benefits. We are Social Security law experts. You can trust us to help you win your benefits for testicular cancer. We want to make the difficult process of winning benefits as easy as possible for you.