Collecting Social Security Disability for Heart Conditions
Long Beach Lawyers Discuss
Social Security Disability for Heart Conditions
Almost any heart conditions canqualify an individual to collect Social Security Disability benefits, if it is severe enough. In order to collect Social Security Disability it is the severity of your heart condition that is more important than the kind of heart problems you have.
Basically, there are two ways to be approved for Social Security disability for a heart problem: “blue book” approval and “non-blue book” approval. Blu-book approval means that your heart condition is listed in the pre-approved list – or blue book – of qualifying conditions.
However, even if your heart condition does not meet a blue book listing, you will still be approved for Social Security Disability if you can prove that your heart problem prevents you from doing any kind of work in the general economy (not just the work you did before).
(1.) Blue Book Approval for Social Security Disability
If your heart condition or heart disease is specifically listed by the Social Security Administration in the “Blue Book” your case will likely be approved – as long as you submit the necessary forms and required medical documentation.
Blue Book Heart Conditions Qualifying for Social Security Disability:
The most common heart problems which are listed in the blue book that often qualify sufferers for Social Security Disability are:
Chronic Venous Insufficiency –
Patients with this condition are unable to pump blood from the legs back to the heart. To qualify for Social Security Disability with chronic venous insufficiency, you need to have ulcers that do not heal within three months.
Recurrent Heart Arrhythmias –
Patients with this condition have heartbeats that are irregular, race, or beat too slowly. To qualify for Social Security Disability due to recurrent arrhythmias, you must prove that you pass out or to have frequent spells in which you come close to passing out.
Chronic Heart Failure / Congestive Heart Failure –
This is a condition where the rate of flow of blood from your heart is seriously diminished. To qualify as totally disabled from chronic (congestive) heart failure, your heart must be performing at 30% capacity (or less) – and you need to demonstrate that the condition causes you pain, even while not exerting yourself.
Ischemic Heart Disease –
This is a pre-heart attack condition, in which problems with the arteries cause poor oxygen flow within their blood stream. This condition is normally proven by stress test(s) and angiography.
Hypertensive Heart Disease –
This is a type of extremely high blood pressure. In order to qualify for SSD, your hypertension must be so serious that you would also meet the same criteria for disability as either chronic heart failure and/or ischemic heart disease.
(2.) Non “Blue Book” Heart Conditions & Social Security Disability
Only the most severe heart conditions are found in the blue book. (Even some applicants who have stents or who have had heart attacks may not meet the blue book requirements). But, you can also be approved for Social Security Disability benefits for any other heart problem, if you can prove it causes you to be unable to work.
Remember, you may still qualify for Social Security Disability benefits even if your heart problems do not fall strictly within the Blue Book guidelines for total disability. But in order to do so, you must prove to the Social Security Administration that your heart condition make it impossible for you to engage in any work. AND, you must demonstrate to them that your heart problem makes training for a job other than your original line of work impossible
Keep in mind that it is the severity of your heart condition that is more important than the kind of heart problems you have. If you can show how your heart problem prevents you from doing any kind of work which you have done (or for which you could be trained) then you will be approved for Social Security Disability.
However, detailed and thorough medical records and employability documentation must be submitted in a timely fashion to the Social Security Administration – so they can assess both the severity of your heart disease and how your heart problems affect your daily activities.
Long Beach Social Security Lawyers
If you think you might qualify for Social Security Disability benefits based on a heart problem, call our experienced Social Security Disability lawyers. An attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability can ensure that all of the necessary forms, records and documentation are submitted in a timely manner – giving you the best chances of having your disability claim approved.
