What you have to prove
Meet via: (1) progressive or recurrent despite hormonal or other anti-cancer therapy, OR (2) with visceral metastases (metastatic disease beyond the regional lymph nodes), OR (3) small-cell (oat cell) carcinoma.
Medical evidence SSA expects
PSA trends, pathology and Gleason scores, staging scans, biopsy results, and treatment records (prostatectomy, radiation, hormonal, chemo).
Common misconceptions
Early localized prostate cancer treated successfully rarely qualifies — these tumors often have excellent prognosis with treatment.
Didn't meet the listing? You can still qualify via a Medical-Vocational
Allowance — SSA's determination that your residual functional capacity, combined with
your age, education, and work history, leaves no jobs you can do. See our
appeals guide for what to do after an initial denial.