Can I claim Social Security Disability benefits if I was diagnosed with cancer as an infant?

No.

If you can work, I don't believe so.

I think you are correct. It's not an easy case, but worth looking into. Contact me.

To qualify for SSD benefits, you have the burden of proving that you are "unable to engage in any gainful employment." What have you been doing since getting out of school? If you have worked, then you are not "unable to engage..." There are a lot of people who work despite handicaps. Of course, if your condition recurs, that is a totally different story.

You would be denied Social Security disability at this time because you are working. If you lost your job and had a medical condition which prevented you from working in addition to your arm, you might qualify for benefits. On the other hand if the only medical problem which you have when you become unemployed is your arm, you would not be considered "disabled" since you have been able to work for many years despite that anatomical loss. You would not be entitled to retroactive benefits because you have been working.

This is a tough one. You may be in legal never-never land. You have NO evidence to PROVE your case. An unsubstantiated report is NOT proof. New discoveries linking cancer to "things" are coming out all the time. But again NO substantial evidence. You'll not win anything with what you have. You'll have to start a "survivors of agent orange" advocacy group. Then hound your representatives into looking into this. Very very long road.

As to Social Security Administration "back benefits" the initial question is whether your condition, either the cancer or amputation, met one of Social Security's listed impairments, which have certain criteria that must be met for a person to qualify, that would entitle you to benefits. If so, you might be entitled to back benefits. I cannot answer whether your condition met one of the listed impairments as there is insufficient information in your Question or Question Detail to answer. As to current or future benefits, if you are currently working full time then you would not be eligible for Social Security benefits now. If you are not working or lose your job, you might be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits although it would be hard to prove you are disabled as you have been working since you were 16 despite the loss not having a right shoulder or arm. I cannot comment on the issue about your father's possible exposure to Agent Orange and your sarcoma as that is beyond the scope of this Law Area.

I would have to have many, many more details in order to form a firm opinion. Generally, SSD is not available to persons who are working such as yourself.

I am not sure that the facts presented make out a social security claim. Make an appointment and go see an attorney face to face.