What this listing covers
Listing 13.13 covers primary cancers originating in the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. These malignant growths can disrupt your neurological function, cognitive processing, and physical mobility. Because these tumors arise directly from brain or spinal cord tissue, they often require complex, multi-stage treatment plans.
The impact of these cancers on your daily life is often profound, affecting your ability to walk, speak, concentrate, or perform basic self-care. You may experience persistent fatigue, seizures, or motor deficits that make sustaining a full-time work schedule impossible. These limitations often persist even after treatments like surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
How SSA evaluates a claim under this listing
Under Listing 13.13, the SSA evaluates the specific type and grade of your cancer. They look for highly malignant tumors like glioblastoma multiforme or any Grade III or Grade IV CNS cancer. If your tumor is classified as Grade III or IV, or if it is a specific type like an ependymoblastoma, the diagnosis itself is a primary factor in your evaluation.
For other primary CNS cancers, the SSA looks for evidence that your cancer has metastasized or has progressed and recurred despite initial treatment. Your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months. If your cancer is progressive or recurrent after your first round of therapy, this documentation is essential for meeting the listing criteria. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove your case.
Evidence that strengthens a claim
Your claim requires definitive medical records, including pathology reports from biopsies or surgical procedures that confirm your tumor type and grade. Imaging studies such as MRIs or CT scans are critical to show the location, size, and extent of the lesion. These records must clearly document the primary site of your cancer within the central nervous system.
Documentation of your treatment history is equally vital. This includes operative notes, records of radiation or chemotherapy, and physician reports detailing your response to these therapies. Statements from your treating neurologist or oncologist regarding your ongoing symptoms, neurological deficits, and the side effects of your treatment help provide a complete picture of your functional limitations.
How an attorney helps
A disability attorney helps by ensuring your medical records are organized to directly address the specific criteria of Listing 13.13. They work with your medical team to obtain detailed functional capacity statements that explain how your symptoms prevent you from working. If your claim requires an appeal, an attorney can prepare you for a hearing before an ALJ, ensuring your evidence is presented clearly and effectively.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, any Grade III or Grade IV CNS cancer is specifically included under Listing 13.13. The SSA recognizes these as highly malignant, and the diagnosis itself is a major component of your evaluation. An attorney can review your pathology reports to ensure they meet the specific documentation standards required by the SSA.
Recurrent or progressive cancer following initial anticancer therapy is a specific basis for meeting Listing 13.13. You must provide medical evidence documenting the return of your disease or its continued growth. An attorney can help you gather the necessary follow-up imaging and physician notes to support your claim.
The SSA requires that your impairment be expected to last for at least 12 continuous months. For many CNS cancers, the severity and the nature of your treatment often satisfy this duration requirement. A disability attorney can help you map out your medical timeline to show how your condition meets this duration threshold.
If your claim is denied, you have the right to request a reconsideration and, if necessary, a hearing before an ALJ. You must file these appeals within specific deadlines. An attorney can help you identify missing evidence or clarify your medical records to strengthen your case during the appeal process.
