Is Neurofibroma A Disability?

Although neurofibroma is a benign disorder, due to its proximity to the nerve, various symptoms are experienced that significantly reduces the quality of life. If the patient is not able to earn his living, he may apply for disability claims.

Patient with neurofibromatosis may claim for social security disability benefits. Neurofibromatosis is a severe condition of neurofibroma which has increased risk of progression to cancer. This condition is inherited by the patient.

Although neurofibromatosis is not directly included in the Social Security Administration list, however, the patient may claim benefits if the patient may prove that because of the symptoms experienced due to this disease, he is not able to perform any gainful activity.

This condition may start to appear either in the young stage as well as in the adult stage. When the condition starts reducing the ability of a person in young age, application of disability is generally filed on their dependent’s behalf.³ If the dependent child has this condition, you can claim the disability benefits by proving that symptoms such as reduced learning abilities and lack of hearing ability qualify as disability symptoms.

As the condition is not directly listed, thus the onus of proving the disability lies on the applicant. If the applicant proves that symptoms are so severe that the patient is not able to involve in any financial activity and is not able to undergo training, he may be eligible for disability benefits.

The patient may also suffer from severe scoliosis due to neurofibromatosis. If this condition occurs, the patient may claim benefit under 1.00 which includes musculoskeletal system disorders in adults or in case of children the benefits may be claimed less than 1.01 which incorporates musculoskeletal problem in childhood.⁴

Other listings that may help to claim benefits of liability in neurofibromatosis includes 2.00 which includes special senses and speech, section 9.00 including endocrine disorders, section 11.00 listing various neurological condition and section 13.00 listing malignant neuroplastic disease.⁵

Social Security administration agency does both the genetic as well as physical tests to confirm the presence of neurofibromatosis. The physical symptoms, experienced by a child suffering from this condition, include bone deformities, larger head size, cafe au lait spots, short stature, bumps under the skin and freckling.

Neurofibroma is the tumor originated from the nerve sheath of tumor cells. It is a benign tumor. Neurofibroma generally occurs on the face, feet, and neck, however, may also occur on trunk and mediastinum. Neurofibroma may be of various types including diffuse neurofibroma, plexiform neurofibroma, intramuscular neurofibroma, and cutaneous neurofibroma. A more dangerous form of neurofibroma is neurofibromatosis type 1 and type 2. These forms are congenital. Out of these two forms, NF-1 is most dangerous as it has significant potential for transformation to malignant condition.

The symptoms of neurofibroma have the potential to affect the routine activities of patients especially when this condition has neurological complications. Following are some of the symptoms experienced by the patient with neurofibroma:

Neurological Symptoms: If the tumor compresses the large nerve it may lead to various neurological symptoms. These symptoms include hydrocephalous, intraspinal neurofibroma, epilepsy, facial palsy, and radiculopathy.¹ Because of its effect on the auditory nerve, the patient may experience hearing disorders.

Bleeding: Some patients may also experience bleeding in neurofibroma. The bleeding may also occur during surgical excision of the tumor.

Infection: Tumor in specific areas may increase the risk of infection. Tumor of the gluteal region may get degraded due to frequent sitting and standing leading to infection.²

Numbness: Patient may experience numbness because of neurofibroma. Neurofibroma occurs on the nerve sheath and when the tumor interferes with the normal conduction of impulse, it may lead to numbness.

Neurodeficit: Tumor may compress the nerve. This leads to neurodeficit in both motor and sensory nerves.

Patients with neurofibromatosis, while claiming disability benefits, have to prove that the Residual Functional Capacity is limited and he may not be able to perform any gainful activity.

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Also Read:

• Neurofibromatosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment