Social Security Benefits for Cardiovascular Disorders
Cardiovascular disorders are one of the broad categories in the major body system sections as listed by the social security disability list of impairments manual. This handbook is also referred to as the blue book. Cardiovascular disorders can further be classified into eight sections that include chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, recurrent arrhythmias, symptomatic congenital heart disease, heart transplant, aneurysm of aorta and major branches, chronic venous insufficiency and peripheral arterial disease.
How cardiovascular patients can claim for SSD benefits?
Each of the above mentioned eight sub – categories can qualify for SSD benefits. However, there are strict symptoms you need to prove to qualify. These criteria are outlined below
Chronic heart failure
This condition is the lack of ability of the heart for pumping adequate oxygen to the other parts in the body. In such a condition, medically documented evidence should prove the occurrence of a systolic failure or diastolic failure. These signs should have resulted in at least one of these
(1) Lack of ability to conduct an exercise tolerance test having a workload equal to or less than 5 METs.
(2) At least three episodes of heart failure within a time frame of twelve months with imaging and clinical evidence of retaining fluids. Such episodes should have resulted in extended intervention of physician or hospitalization.
(3) Repeated signs of heart failure that limits your ability to perform routine activities.
Ischemic heart disease
This condition happens when at least one of the coronary arteries is obstructed or narrowed. This basically interferes with blood flow to the heart muscle. At least one of the following symptoms should be established
(1) Three distinct episodes should occur and need revascularization within a time of twelve consecutive months.
(2) Coronary artery disease should be proved by suitable medical imaging or angiography. These tests are done when a usual drug induced stress test or exercise tolerance test is absent.
(3) Substantial limitation to independently continue, initiate and complete daily living activities.
Recurrent arrhythmias
This condition is characterized by regular heartbeat changes. Your heart can beat very slowly or beat irregularly or skip a beat. When this condition is not associated to reversible causes that end up in repeated incidents of cardiac syncope, even after treatment, your SSD claim can be approved. Documentation should happen by resting or suitable medical testing or ambulatory electrocardiography.
Symptomatic congenital heart disease
When appropriate documentation by cardiac catheterization or suitable medical imaging of the listed symptoms is produced, the claimant can increase his chances of obtaining approval.
Heart transplant
Until one year after surgery, claimants are considered to be disabled. Thereafter, his beneficiaries are to be reviewed and evaluated on the current state.
Aneurysm of aorta and main branches
When the claimant’s condition is documented medically by suitable imaging along with dissection that is not controlled by treatment that is prescribed, he becomes eligible for disability benefits.
Where there is a lack of lower extremity along with obstruction and incompetence of the venous system, a claim can be approved on the basis of chronic venous insufficiency. Working around these complicated set of criteria can be effectively handled by your SSD attorney.
