SSDI examiner fixated on kidney mass when my claim is spine-related - what does this mean?
Filed for SSDI about 6 months ago primarily for severe spine issues. Last month, I had a new MRI done through the VA that showed worsening degeneration in my back (which was the whole point), but they also discovered a mass in my kidney that might be cancerous. I submitted the entire MRI report to Social Security as additional evidence for my back problems, not thinking much about the kidney finding. Here's where it's getting weird - the SSDI examiner has called me TWICE in the past month specifically asking for updates about my kidney situation. I'm having surgery to remove the affected kidney at the end of February, and he specifically asked me to call him after the surgery with an update. I'm honestly confused. This examiner seems genuinely concerned about my kidney (which is nice I guess?), but that wasn't part of my disability claim at all. I filed for my degenerative spine issues that prevent me from working. Is the examiner considering adding this to my claim? Is this normal procedure? Or is he just being exceptionally thorough? Don't want to question something that might actually be helping my case, but it seems strange they're so focused on something that wasn't part of my original claim. Should I just go with it and keep providing the kidney updates he's requesting?
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
This actually happened to me! My examiner found something in my medical records that wasn't part of my original claim too. In my case it was severe depression mentioned in my GP notes when I'd filed for rheumatoid arthritis. They ended up approving me partly based on the mental health aspects even though I hadn't claimed that. I think they're required to consider ALL your medical conditions, not just what you specifically claimed. The kidney situation might actually strengthen your case since it shows additional health issues that impact your ability to work.
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NeonNomad
•That's really interesting and makes me feel better about the situation. I didn't realize they could consider things outside my original claim. Honestly I was worried they might be less focused on my back issues which are the ones actually preventing me from working right now. The kidney thing is serious but wouldn't have stopped me from working on its own.
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Dylan Mitchell
SSA disability examiners are required to consider the "total picture" of your health when evaluating SSDI claims. This is actually standard procedure and potentially very beneficial for you. They must evaluate the combined effect of ALL medically determinable impairments, regardless of whether you specifically listed them in your application. The examiner is likely: 1. Following protocol by considering all medical evidence 2. Recognizing that cancer (if confirmed) may qualify you for a Compassionate Allowance, which would expedite approval 3. Building a more comprehensive case for approval based on multiple conditions Keep providing the updates they request and consider having your doctor complete a Medical Source Statement that addresses how both conditions (spine and kidney) impact your ability to work. The combined limitations may meet SSA's disability criteria more clearly than either condition alone.
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Sofia Martinez
•wait so ur saying they can approve u for things u didnt even apply for?? thats crazy, i thought u had to be super specific about everything. i shoulda sent them ALL my records lol
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Dmitry Volkov
Sounds like the examiner is actually doing his job properly for once! When I applied for SSDI, they ignored half my medical evidence AND lost my paperwork twice. You're lucky to have someone who actually reads everything. KEEP SENDING HIM UPDATES! Don't question it!
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Ava Thompson
•EXACTLY THIS! The system usually works AGAINST us, so when someone in SSA actually shows some humanity, take advantage of it! My examiner was a nightmare - constantly demanding records I'd already sent and then denying they received them. Took me 2 years and a hearing to get approved.
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CyberSiren
This is actually a potentially positive development. The kidney mass could qualify you for a Compassionate Allowance, which would fast-track your claim. Unlike standard SSDI claims that can take 3-5 months for initial decisions, Compassionate Allowance cases can be approved in weeks. If the mass is confirmed as cancer, Social Security has kidney cancer on their Compassionate Allowance list. The examiner is likely monitoring this because it could qualify you for expedited processing. My advice: Absolutely provide all updates on both conditions. Having both the spinal issues AND a potentially qualifying Compassionate Allowance condition increases your approval chances significantly. I've seen many cases where people were approved based on a combination of conditions rather than just the one they thought was most severe.
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NeonNomad
•Thank you for explaining this! I had no idea about the Compassionate Allowance program. That makes a lot more sense now why he's so interested in the kidney situation. I'll definitely keep him updated after my surgery next month.
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Miguel Alvarez
I've been trying to reach anyone at SSA about my disability claim for weeks and can't get through. How are you getting an examiner to call YOU multiple times? The system is so frustrating!
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Sofia Martinez
•have you tried that claimyr service? my brother used it to skip the hold times and got right thru to an agent. it costs something but he said it was worth it not waiting 3 hours on hold. theres a demo video at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU and the website is claimyr.com he said they got him thru in under 10 mins when he'd been trying for days
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Ava Thompson
Your examiner is being THOROUGH which is RARE! When I filed for SSDI they barely looked at anything and denied me TWICE before I got approved at hearing level. The kidney mass might actually help your case even if it wasn't part of your original claim! They'll look at your TOTAL health picture and combined limitations of ALL your conditions. Also, if it turns out to be cancer (hoping it's benign!), you might qualify for a COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE which is MUCH faster than regular SSDI processing!!!! They're actually helping you by focusing on this!!!!!
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NeonNomad
•Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like my examiner is actually being unusually helpful compared to what others have gone through. I didn't know about the Compassionate Allowance possibility. I'll try to be more grateful that they're being so thorough instead of questioning it.
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Dmitry Volkov
My neighbor had something similar happen. Applied for disability for one thing but they ended up approving her for something completely different that came up in her medical records. Just go with it!
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
To add to what others are saying - you should absolutely call the examiner back after your surgery. The fact that they're calling you directly is actually rare and really good! Many people struggle just to find out who their examiner even is. You've got someone who's actually invested in your case. One question - have you filled out the Adult Function Report yet? If so, did you mention how your back problems affected things like lifting, standing, etc? If you haven't completed one yet, make sure to detail all the limitations from BOTH conditions when you do.
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NeonNomad
•Yes, I did complete the Function Report a few months ago, but that was before we knew about the kidney mass. It focused entirely on my mobility issues from my spine problems. Should I ask if I need to complete an updated one that includes potential limitations from the kidney surgery?
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Miguel Alvarez
Just wanted to wish you good luck with your kidney surgery. That's scary stuff on top of dealing with SSDI bureaucracy. Hope everything goes well!
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NeonNomad
•Thank you, I appreciate that. It's definitely been stressful dealing with both health issues and the disability application process at the same time.
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Dylan Mitchell
To address your question about updating the Adult Function Report - it would be helpful to provide an update after your surgery. You can submit a letter from your doctor describing any additional limitations resulting from the kidney removal. Generally, SSA evaluates disability based on how your conditions limit your ability to work. While spine issues typically cause exertional limitations (lifting, standing, walking), the kidney cancer and surgery may cause non-exertional limitations (need for frequent breaks, absences for treatment, fatigue). The combination of these different types of limitations often presents a stronger case than either condition alone. When you speak with the examiner after surgery, ask if you should submit an updated Function Report or if a medical source statement from your doctor would be sufficient.
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CyberSiren
•Exactly right. And to add some context - SSA uses what's called the "combined effects" doctrine when evaluating disability claims. They look at how ALL your medical conditions interact to impact your ability to work. Sometimes people get denied when looking at each condition individually, but approved when considering the combined impact. The examiner seems to be properly applying this approach.
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