Under the listings for Social Security Disability there is a listing noted as Chronic heart failure. Meeting this listing puts the claimant in very poor health, the listing is so detailed that if you meet this listing your health is probably not very good at the moment.
The listing states the following:
(a) Documented cardiac enlargement by appropriate imaging techniques (a cardiothoracic ratio of greater than 0.50 on a PA chest x-ray with good inspiratory effort or left ventricular diastolic diameter of greater than 5.5 cm on two dimensional echocardiography, ) resulting in inability to carry on any physical activity, and with symptoms of inadequate cardiac output, pulmonary congestion, systemic congestion, or anginal syndrome at rest; or
(b) Documented cardiac enlargement by appropriate imaging techniques, or ventrical dysfunction, abnormal wall motion or left ventricle ejection ratio of 30% or less by imaging techniques; and
Inability to perform on exercise test at workload to 5 (mets) or less due to symptoms of chronic heart failure, in rare instances a need to stop exercising testing at less than this level of work because of:
a. Three or more consecutive ventricular premature beats or three or more multiform beats or;
b. Failure to increase systolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg or decrease in systolic pressure below the usual resting level; or
c. Signs attributable to inadequate cerebral perfusion, such as ataxic gait or mental confusion; and
(2) Resulting in marked limitation of physical activity, as demonstrated by fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea, or anginal discomfort on ordinary physical activity, even though the individual is comfortable at rest; or
C. Cor pulmonale fulfilling the criteria in 4.02 A or B.
The issue with Heart Failure under Social Security Disability is very technical, for someone to meet this listing above they are in, or must be in very poor health, which is a sign of Congestive Heart Failure. The things that go along with heart failure are congestion in the lungs, liver, circulatory system, and places where large amounts of blood are in the body region.
It is important to be able to relate your symptoms of heart failure to the Social Security Administration, not only by your testimony, but by your medical records from doctors and hospitals. The severity of your symptoms is key in your application to obtain Social Security Disability.
Should you need assistance in your disability claim, please give the law office a call at toll free 1 (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633. I look forward to hearing from you.
Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.