According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), you might qualify for disability benefits if you have been diagnosed with certain cardiovascular health issues. The SSA – 4.00 Cardiovascular System – Adult notes the following impairments:
- Heart transplant
- Aortic aneurysms
- Chronic heart failure
- Recurrent arrhythmias
- Ischemic heart disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Aneurysm of major branches
If your health care provider and another specialist diagnosed you with one of these cardiovascular system disorders, you might be eligible for disability benefits. To establish your eligibility, you might be required to prove the severity of your current condition.
Poor Heart Health Can Be Seriously Disabling
While poor heart health might lead to symptoms such as chest pain, pressure, tightness, or general discomfort, you might also experience shortness of breath, numbness or weakness in your extremities, or pain in your throat or torso, according to Mayo Clinic.
If your cardiovascular condition is categorized as persistent, it might be expected to lead to poor heart health for at least a year. If considered recurrent, you might experience adverse cardiovascular health conditions at least three times over the course of a year.
To establish the pattern and severity of your heart-related medical condition, you may need to supply the SSA with the following information:
- Medical history
- Lab test results
- Clinical reports
- Required medications
You might also be asked for additional evidentiary support if your recent medical history reveals you suffered a heart attack or required a cardiac care procedure. This request might also be made if you start a new prescription cardiac medication or if your response to a new treatment or therapy needs to be assessed and recorded.
Get Started on Your Social Security Disability Application
A disability lawyer might be able to help you navigate the Social Security Disability (SSD) application process and make it easier to understand. One of the first steps when submitting your application is choosing which SSD program to apply for.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) awards benefits to disabled workers whose current condition will not permit them to keep working. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) awards benefits to disabled adults with little or no income or resources.
In addition to guiding you through the process of filing your initial application, your lawyer might also be able to help if your application is denied and you need to file an appeal. The appeals process is four-fold and myriad, which means you have a variety of options that allow you to keep fighting for benefits.
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Appeal a Denied Application with Assistance of a Disability Lawyer
If your initial application for SSD benefits was denied, and you have a severe cardiovascular disorder, your lawyer might be able to help you file an effective appeal. The SSA appeals process consists of four levels of appeal, including:
- Reconsideration: during which your entire application and its evidence are reviewed by someone who did not play a role in your original application or its denial.
- Hearing: where your application and any new evidence you provide will be reviewed and reevaluated by another person who did not participate in your application prior to this step.
- Appeals Council: a review where another newly involved individual will reconsider your application and the outcome of your original appeal hearing.
- Federal Court: where you may file a civil lawsuit in your federal district court.
Your lawyer can help you by representing you during the appeals process in conjunction with the application process.
Guiding you through the application and appeals process are only two of the ways an SSD lawyer might be of assistance during the application process. Whether your disability is inherited, congenital, or develops gradually or as the result of an illness, your lawyer might be able to help you by explaining the myriad SSD programs available and by ensuring you apply for the ones you qualify for.
Let Our Team Help You Fight for Benefits
If you are between 18 years old and retirement age with a cardiovascular system disorder that prevents you from working, you might be eligible for monthly Social Security Disability benefits. Find out if you meet the basic application requirements and if your diagnosed disability is severe enough to warrant medical and financial benefits.
Our case review team might be able to help you determine which benefits program is right for you. Reach out to Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, at (828) 286-3866 to get more information on completing and submitting your benefits application.