If you have a cardiovascular condition that has left you unable to work, you might be able to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that about 610,000 people die from cardiovascular disease in the U.S. every year, which breaks down to 25 percent of all deaths.
How To Medicaly Qualify for Social Security Benefits
The SSA uses a medical guide, which is called the Blue Book, to determine if an individual qualifies for disability benefits. The Blue Book have very specific criteria that must be met to be approved for disability benefits.
While there are some heart conditions that might qualify for disability benefits that aren’t included on this list, here are some of the more common heart problems that qualify for Social Security Disability benefits:
Common Conditions that Qualify
- Recurrent arrhythmias – these are conditions that cause an irregular heartbeat, causing it to race or beat too slow. You will need to prove that your arrythmia causes you to pass out or leads to frequent episodes in which you nearly faint.
- Ischemic heart disease – Caused by problems with your arteries, this pre-heart attack condition involves poor oxygen flow within the bloodstream. Angiography or a poorly rated stress test is used to diagnose this condition.
- Chronic venous insufficiency – Those with chronic venous insufficiency usually experience difficulty standing, painful skin ulcers, or swelling because the hearts are unable to pump blood from the legs back to the heart. If you have ulcers that don’t heal for three months, you can be approved for disability benefits.
- Congestive heart failure – Diagnosed by medical tests that measure the blood flow from your heart. Your heart should be performing at least at 30 percent capacity to qualify for disability benefits. Additionally, you must show that your chronic heart failure causes pain, even when you aren’t exerted.
- Hypertensive heart disease – To qualify for disability benefits with hypertensive heart disease, you must meet the criteria for disability benefits based on the criteria for chronic heart failure.
- Symptomatic congenital heart disease – Birth defect in which the heart malfunctions
- Heart transplant – If you must undergo heart replacement due to heart disease you can get disability benefits for as long as year afterward
- Aneurism of aorta or branches – This condition results in swelling of the major arteries of the heart because of heart disease
- Peripheral arterial disease – This involves impaired function of outlying areas
The Application Process
If you have a cardiovascular disease that makes it impossible for you to work, you can start your application process online at www.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. When you call you can either start the application over the phone or schedule an appointment at your local SSA office.
Providing proper documentation is essential for the outcome of your disability claim. Those who enlist the help of a disability lawyer or a disability advocate are much more likely to get approved for disability benefits.
