What Cardiac Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability

• Makes it physically difficult or impossible to complete simple movements, such as raising your arms without suffering pain, disorientation, or physical side effects.

• Prohibits you from continuous or long-term physical activity.

• Is well documented by a medical professional.

• Has or will last more than 12 months.

• Is documented as being recurrent.

• Has been properly evaluated and diagnosed through medical imaging such as x-rays, cardiograms, and MRIs.

• Cannot be controlled with prescription medication or treatment.

If you think that you suffer from a heart condition that meets these requirements, then the first step is getting a proper diagnosis from a medical professional. Then, it is time to find out if you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration maintains a Listing of Impairments to help disability examiners determine whether or not a medical condition is severe enough to qualify for disability benefits. If you have a cardiac condition that meets the requirements of a listing in Section 4.00 of the Listing of Impairments, then you will qualify for benefits. These conditions include: 

• Chronic heart failure (Section 4.02.) In order to qualify pursuant to this listing you must be taking a prescribed treatment and still suffer from certain symptoms. Additionally, you must have medical documentation that proves that you are eligible pursuant to the criteria described in the listing.

• Ischemic heart disease (Section 4.04) You must be able to provide medical documentation about your prescribed treatment, symptoms, and test results to prove that the severity of your condition is consistent with this listing.

• Recurrent arrhythmias (Section 4.05.) Your recurrent arrhythmia must not be due to a reversible cause, and you must have medical documentation that you suffer from recurrent and uncontrolled episodes of cardiac syncope or near syncope despite following a prescribed treatment plan. 

• Symptomatic congenital heart disease (Section 4.06.) You must have appropriate medical imaging or cardiac catheterization results that prove that you met the eligibility criteria described in this section.

• Heart transplant (Section 4.09.) A heart transplant is considered to be a disability for one year following the transplant surgery. After the one year, any continuing disability would be evaluated based on the symptoms that you continue to suffer.

• Aneurysm of aorta or major branches (Section 4.10.) If you can prove that you have an aneurysm of this kind with medically acceptable imaging results and with dissection that is not controlled by medication, then you may qualify for disability benefits.

• Chronic venous insufficiency (Section 4.11.) If you suffer from this condition in a lower extremity and you meet the requirements in Section 4.11, then you may be able to receive disability benefits. 

• Peripheral arterial disease (Section 4.12.) You must have the appropriate medical imaging to prove your diagnosis and meet the specific requirements of this section in order to get monthly disability benefits. 

If your cardiac condition is not listed in the Blue Book, then you may still recover Social Security disability benefits if your condition is equal in severity to another blue book listing or if you are unable to work because of your medical condition.

It is up to you, together with your Social Security disability lawyer, to prove that you are eligible for disability benefits. Your application should be completed fully and honestly and include:

• The results of recent medical testing. Different cardiac conditions are diagnosed in different ways. The results of all of your medical testing that is relevant to your claim should be included with your application.

• Witness statements. Recent statements from physicians and employers should be included with your application. These statements may describe your symptoms and the effect of your symptoms on your ability to do your job.

• Other documentation and reports. This could include, for example, information about medical treatments that you have tried and the side effects, information about your education, and information about your work history.

In some cases, additional documentation may also be relevant to your claim.

We know that filing for Social Security disability can be extremely confusing and frustrating to those who have never done it before. However, you do not have to go through this process alone. Our experienced Social Security disability lawyers can help you get the benefits that you deserve with as little stress as possible.

Contact us today to review your disability options, and to make sure you qualify before filling out your application. We know that you do not have time to lose, so let us help make sure your application is in order to prevent costly delays and rejections.

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If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 508.283.5500 to schedule your free consultation.