Cardiovascular System

Heart conditions are among the leading causes of disability in the United States. 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. When determining whether a heart or circulatory condition is severe enough to qualify a claimant for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration uses Section 4 of the Blue Book.

The eight subsections and the criteria for eligibility for Social Security disability benefits for each are as follows:

Chronic Heart Failure

To be considered eligible for benefits under this condition, you must have systolic or diastolic heart failure. 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.

Ischemic Heart Disease (Coronary Heart Disease)

This condition is caused by a narrowed heart arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles, thus resulting in a lack of blood and oxygen to the heart

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.

Symptomatic Congenital Heart Disease

This condition refers to impairments to the structure of the heart or the function of the heart before birth, with the two types including Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease and Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease.

Heart Transplant

If you must undergo heart replacement due to heart disease you can get disability benefits for as long as year afterward.

Aneurysm of Aorta or Major Branches

This condition results in swelling of the major arteries of the heart because of heart disease. You will be required to provide medical imaging to confirm the aneurysm.

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.

Peripheral Arterial Disease

A circulatory condition where narrowed blood vessels result in a reduction of blood flow to the limbs. This condition will require blood pressure analysis when submitting your application.