Heart arrhythmias (also known as heart dysrhythmias) are failry common. They also range quite drastically in severity. Some can be nothing more than a mildly annoying heart palpitation brought on by stress. Others can result in cardiac arrest and even death. Then there are those who suffer from recurrent arrhythmias that are severe in nature and occur quite frequently. These arrhythmias can interfere with an individual's quality of life and may prevent them from performing normal day-to-day activities. For these individuals, the ability to maintain full-time work activity is absolutely out of the question. In cases such as these, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help.
Recurrent Arrhythmias Condition and Symptoms
The term heart arrhythmia is used to describe a wide range of conditions that result in abnormal electrical activity in the heart. The causes for a heart arrhythmia can vary. Some are caused by coronary artery disease. Others may be caused by something as simple as an electrolyte imbalance in the blood. In some cases, people with perfectly normal and healthy hearts may even experience the occasional arrhythmia. When an arrhythmia happens repeatedly, regardless of the treatment provided, it is referred to as a recurrent arrhythmia. These cases can be a bit harder to treat.
The symptoms of arrhythmia can vary drastically depending on the underlying cause of the arrhythmia and the severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include: dizziness, general weakness and fatigue, a pounding in the chest, a feeling of skipped heart beats, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and fainting.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Recurrent Arrhythmias
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance due to recurrent arrhythmias, you will need to prove to the Social Security Administration that your condition prevents you from performing any type of work activity at all, and that it is expected to last for a period of at least twelve months. In order to do this, your doctor will need to keep very detailed records regarding your medical history.
Recurrent Arrhythmias are included in the Social Security Administration's published disability guidelines under Section 4.05. However, the presence of recurrent arrhythmias alone is not enough to qualify you for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
To be approved for Social Security Disability benefits due to recurrent arrhythmias, your symptoms must be caused by an irreversible condition, such as an imbalance of electrolytes. You must also prove that the recurrent arrhythmias cannot be controlled with treatment, which means that you will have to have detailed medical records showing that treatments were prescribed, but did not work. Your medical records should also include documented electrocardiography results and other related testing documenting the frequency of your arrhythmias.
In addition to providing sufficient medical evidence proving the presence of the disabling condition, you must also prove that the condition prevents you from performing any type of work activity in order to qualify for disability benefits. Statements from your treating physician and the answers that you provide on your disability claim forms will be crucial in supporting your disability claim. Make sure that you answer the questions on your residual functional capacity forms very clearly, being detailed in your answers. This information will help the adjudicator who is reviewing your file understand the extent to which your recurrent arrhythmias interfere with your day-to-day life.
If you are still denied benefits by the Social Security Administration despite your medical records and your detailed disability claim forms, do not become discouraged. Nearly 70 percent of the initial claims that are received by the Social Security Administration are denied. Because it can be hard to prove that recurrent arrhythmias result in a total disability, you may need to pursue the appeal process when trying to obtain Social Security Disability benefits for your condition.
Recurrent Arrhythmias and Your Social Security Disability Case
If your claim for Social Security Disability benefits based on a diagnosis of recurrent arrhythmias is denied by the Social Security Administration, you will need to file a disability appeal. This appeal process will likely include a hearing before an administrative law judge.
When pursuing the Social Security Disability appeal process, it is in your best interest to retain the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate. These professionals can help you understand why your disability claim was denied and can help you gather the medical evidence that will be needed to support your appeal of the SSA's decision to deny your disability benefits. Your attorney or advocate will also be able to represent you at your disability hearing and may call in expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. Fortunately, nearly two-thirds of disability appeals are won at the hearing stage of a Social Security Disability appeal process. Your chances are statistically increased with proper legal representation.
To learn more about filing for Social Security Disability benefits due to a diagnosis of recurrent arrhythmias or to learn more about working with a Social Security Disability lawyer, simply fill out the form for a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case.
