Do Heart Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?
If you have recently been diagnosed with a severe heart condition and are unable to work, you may qualify to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. These benefits are designed to provide financial assistance to individuals that can no longer work as a result of a qualifying medical condition. Cardiovascular disorders commonly referred to as heart conditions are one of the leading conditions that qualify for benefits in the country.
What heart conditions are eligible?
To determine if your heart condition is eligible to receive SSD benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will review the Blue Book. This book is a reference guide that includes all conditions that may be considered to receive benefits. For Cardiovascular disorders, the SSA will evaluate the specific type of condition against their guideline requirements. The cardiovascular impairments are covered in chapter 4 of the Blue Book and are broken down into the following sections. If your heart condition falls under the below categories, you may be eligible to receive SSD benefits.
- Chronic Heart Failure – to be considered eligible for benefits under this condition, you must have systolic or diastolic heart failure. You will also have to prove that your heart falls under the specified requirements at a normal state and may be required to submit to an exercise tolerance test
- Ischemic Heart Disease (Coronary Heart Disease) – this condition is caused by a narrowed heart arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles, thus resulting in a lack of blood and oxygen to the heart
- Recurrent Arrhythmias – a condition affecting the normal rhythm or beating of the heart. To qualify with this condition, you must prove this condition is nonreversible and that it results in syncope or near syncope
- Symptomatic Congenital Heart Disease – this condition refers to impairments to the structure of the heart or the function of the heart before birth, with the two types including Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease and Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease
- Heart Transplant – if you receive a heart transplant, you will be automatically considered disabled for at least one year after the transplant is complete
- Aneurysm of Aorta or Major Branches – you will be required to provide medical imaging to confirm the aneurysm
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency – this condition refers to the improper functioning of the veins in the legs. To be eligible for benefits under this condition, you must also have brawny edema which involves at least 2/3 or more between your knee and ankle, or 1/3 from hip to ankle, or recurring ulcerations which cannot heal after treatment for a period of at least three months
- Peripheral Arterial Disease – a circulatory condition where narrowed blood vessels result in a reduction of blood flow to the limbs. This condition will require blood pressure analysis when submitting your application
What do I need to apply to receive SSD benefits for my heart condition?
To be considered by the SSA to receive benefits, you will need to go through their application process. You will need to prove that your condition will require you to be out of work for at least a year or longer, submit medical documents that outline your condition and your treatment, and you will also be required to submit financial records and possibly electrocardiograph (ECG) test results. Failing to have all of the required information and records at the time of your application greatly increase your chance of being denied benefits. Working with a disability attorney can help guarantee you have all of your papers in order before your application for benefits is filed.
What if my heart condition is not listed on the Blue Book List?
If your heart condition is not included in the Blue Book list of eligible cardiovascular impairments, you may still be able to receive SSD benefits. You will need to submit substantial evidence that your condition is preventing you from your ability to work. You will also need extremely detailed medical records that not only outline your condition but also show all treatment and therapy recommendations as well as how your condition has progressed during treatment. A disability attorney will know what items and documentation will strengthen your claim and help make sure you have the strongest application as possible when you are ready to submit your claim.
How do I start my application to receive benefits?
Once you determine that you are ready to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you will want to consult with a local disability attorney. They will help you submit your intent to file, as well as start guiding you on what medical, financial, work, and personal documents you will need to start to gather for your application. The application process may seem daunting and overwhelming, but an experienced SSD attorney will help guide you through each step of the process. If you would like to discuss the specifics of your heart condition case and see if you may be eligible to receive SSD benefits, use our free evaluation form to be connected with a local disability attorney to review the best options for your specific case.