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Heart Disease And Disability Benefits

There are many conditions that qualify and many that don’t qualify for disability benefits. While all heart conditions are cause for concern, that doesn’t automatically mean that you qualify for disability benefits. There are certain specifics that you must meet in order to qualify for benefits when you have heart disease.

Heart conditions can be debilitating, but it’s important to know what needs to happen when you apply for potential disability benefits.

What Is Heart Disease?

Coronary heart disease, or ischemic heart disease, occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque causes the arteries to become more narrow and hardened. The blood and oxygen that are able to travel to the heart are slowed down or stop altogether.

Heart disease can cause a heart attack. Even though this medical problem is serious, heart disease may or may not qualify for disability benefits, depending on the specifics.

Information for qualifying for disability benefits:

You need to meet the requirements on the Social Security Administration’s listing for ischemic heart disease. These include an exercise tolerance test that shows a depression, at least a 0.1 millivolt ST elevation above resting baseline, decrease of at least 10mm Hg in systolic pressure, ischemia at an exercise level of 5 METs or less or three separate ischemic episodes that required revascularization or was not amendable with it within a 12 month period or coronary artery disease.

Your condition must be either terminal or expected to last at least 12 months.

Evidence Needed

Medical evidence is the most important aspect when determining disability for SSA. The SSA decides many claims on medical evidence from treating sources. These are professionals that can provide the most comprehensive picture of someone’s condition and bring a unique perspective on the individual.

You must also provide medical evidence from health facilities. These are medical reports from hospitals, clinics and any other health facilities. Medical reports need to have history, clinical findings, laboratory findings, the official diagnosis, treatment and statement about the individual’s ability to perform any work-related activities.

Provide evidence from sources that show how the individual’s condition affects the ability to function in a work setting. The SSA may require consultative exams if the medical sources are inadequate.

If you have any questions, a professional can help you sort out the specifications and medical evidence. Contact us today with any questions.