4.2 Google RatedIf you’re unable to work due to heart disease, the disability insurance attorneys atPekas Smith Disability Lawyers are here to help. As an experienced heart disease SSDI lawyer in AZ, we represent clients who are seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for serious heart conditions, including those involving high blood pressure, back pain, fatigue, angina, tachycardia, and more.
Heart disease may qualify for disability, whether it is congenital or acquired.
Whether you’re just starting your application or appealing a denial, we bring legal experience and personal commitment to every case.
Heart Conditions That May Qualify for SSDI
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines cardiovascular impairment as any disorder that affects the proper functioning of the heart or circulatory system. Common qualifying conditions include:
- Ischemic heart disease with symptoms due to myocardial ischemia
- Chronic heart failure
- Recurrent arrhythmias
- Cardiomyopathy
- Disorders of the veins or arteries, obstruction, rupture, or aneurysm
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Heart transplant
- Aneurysm of the aorta or major branches
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Symptomatic congenital heart defects
Each condition is assessed under Section 4.00 of theSSA’s Blue Book. Meeting these criteria involves demonstrating specific symptoms, test results, and medical treatment plans. Missing or incomplete documentation, such as imaging or exercise tolerance testing, often leads to denials, which is why having a knowledgeable heart disease SSDI lawyer in AZ is critical.
Even if your cardiovascular issue is not a listed impairment, it is still possible to qualify for disability payments if your medical problems prevent you from working.
Understanding Heart Disease
Heart disease includes a wide range of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function.
One common condition is cardiomyopathy, which occurs when the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thickened, or stiff. This weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively and maintain a regular electrical rhythm, often leading to heart failure or abnormal heartbeats known as arrhythmias. Individuals may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, edema (swelling in the legs and ankles), bloating, and palpitations.
An important measure of heart function is the ejection fraction—the percentage of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each beat. A low ejection fraction can indicate severe heart impairment and significantly affect eligibility for disability benefits.
Myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs when a thrombus or blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart, resulting in damage to the heart muscle. These events can cause long-term complications, including chronic chest pain (angina), reduced stamina, and ongoing ischemia—a condition where parts of the heart do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Treatment may involve medication, stent placement, or bypass surgery.
Tachycardia (an abnormally fast heart rate) and syncope (sudden loss of consciousness) are also common symptoms that may signal underlying heart disease. These symptoms can interfere with daily functioning and work-related tasks.
Cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), which occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, can also result from cardiovascular conditions. Depending on the severity and location of the stroke, recovery may require extensive rehabilitation, and full function may not return.
Because heart disease can affect multiple body systems and present in various forms, ongoing care from cardiologists, neurologists, and other specialists is often essential. These specialists also provide the medical evidence necessary for Social Security Disability claims. Proper diagnosis, documentation, and consistent treatment are key to building a strong application for disability benefits. A quality heart disease SSDI lawyer in AZ can help you present the best case.
How the SSA Evaluates Heart Disease
The Social Security Administration evaluates heart disease inSection 4.00 – Cardiovascular System of the Blue Book Listing of Impairments, Part A. When evaluating cardiovascular impairment, examiners consider the following:
- Symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath
- Medical imaging and angiographic evidence
- Laboratory reports
- Test results showing low ejection fraction or reduced heart function
- Records showing high or unstable blood pressure
- ECG (electrocardiograph or electrocardiograph results)
- Physical examinations
- Exercise tests, including the exercise tolerance test (ETT)
- Response to a regimen of prescribed treatment
- The effects of medications or stress on your condition
- Functional limitations, including reduced mobility or stamina
Examiners need sufficient medical documentation to assess the severity and duration of the applicant’s cardiovascular disease. Applicants should provide at least three months of consistent medical documentation. Without sufficient longitudinal evidence, examiners may ask for a consultative examination.
Legal Help for Heart Disease Disability Claims
Heart conditions can interfere with your ability to perform substantial gainful activity and maintain employment. Our heart disease SSDI lawyer in AZ can assist you with:
- Determining your eligibility based on your medical record and symptoms
- Compiling evidence like medical imaging, ECG results, and oxygen level tests
- Navigating the SSDI and SSI claims process
- Representing you in hearings before an administrative law judge
- Filing appeals to the United States District Court, if needed
Our legal team understands how to present your diagnosis clearly, whether it involves issues with your heart ventricle, ejection fraction, edema, or complications from a prior stroke, heart attack, or lung cancer diagnosis.
Talk to a Lawyer – Consultations Available
To see how our SSDI lawyers for heart disease may assist you, contact us at Pekas Smith Disability Attorneys for your free consultation. You canreach out to us online or by phone. We look forward to speaking with you.
SSDI Heart Disease – FAQs
Is it difficult to get disability for heart failure?
Getting disability for heart failure involves submitting detailed medical records that verify the nature and severity of your medical condition. The Social Security Administration uses strict standards for evaluating cardiovascular impairments. This evaluation includes evidence such as physician notes, treatment history, and diagnostic tests like electrocardiography (ECG).
While it is not difficult to get disability for heart failure, the application must demonstrate how your condition prevents you from working. It’s important to include documentation of therapy or other interventions you’ve tried.
Why are disability claims for heart problems denied?
Claims are often denied due to incomplete or missing information. The SSA requires comprehensive records showing how your condition impacts your daily functioning and prevents substantial gainful activity.
Examiners require specific test results and medical records. You’ll need thorough medical documentation, including ECGs, medical imaging, ejection fraction reports, and a physician’s treatment notes. If you’ve experienced symptoms like angina, edema, or tachycardia, these must be well documented. Working with an experienced heart disease SSDI lawyer in AZ can help increase your chances of approval.
Are SSDI heart disease applicants eligible for Medicare?
Yes. Once approved for SSDI, recipients are eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. They may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid, depending on their income and resources. Our attorneys can help you understand how these disability benefits may work alongside your private health insurance policy for better financial and medical support.
Do heart conditions from a work accident or job stress qualify?
Yes. If job stress or a workplace incident contributed to your heart disease, it may support your disability claim. In such cases, you may also be entitled to workers’ compensation or a separate personal injury claim. Be sure to include any therapy or treatment efforts in your medical documentation to support the connection between your condition and your employment.
Can I appeal a denied SSDI claim?
Absolutely. A quality heart disease SSDI lawyer in AZ can guide you through reconsideration, hearings with an administrative law judge, and appeals to the United States District Court if necessary.
