Pittsburgh
Cardiovascular Disorders Lawyer

On This Page

1. Get Disability Benefits For Cardiovascular Disorders
2. When Do Cardiovascular Disorders Meet the Criteria of SSD?
3. How Can I Qualify for Benefits Based on My Ability to Work?
4. What Type of Evidence Is the SSA Looking for When They Evaluate My File?
5. Do I Need a Lawyer to Get SSD for My Cardiovascular Disorder?
6. How Can I Talk to a Disability Attorney at Berger and Green?

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Get Disability Benefits For Cardiovascular Disorders

If you cannot work because of your cardiovascular disorder, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, including Social Security Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These government benefits can help you make ends meet and provide you with a steady source of income when you cannot work your previous job.

The attorneys at Berger and Green understand the complex qualifications for these benefit programs and can help you determine if you are eligible for this monthly income. We can help you file your claim and work to ensure the Social Security Administration (SSA) has all the information they need to reach your healthcare providers, confirm your qualifications, and approve you for benefits. To learn more about getting disability for cardiovascular disorders in Pittsburgh, call us today at 412-661-1400. We offer complimentary consultations.

When Do Cardiovascular Disorders Meet the Criteria of SSD?

The SSA has strict criteria for meeting their definition of disabled. You must suffer from total disability because of your condition or related impairments. For cardiovascular disorders, they outline the qualifications in Section 4.00 – Cardiovascular Disorders of the Blue Book. This impairment listing covers any disorder affecting the heart or the circulatory system, including both congenital and acquired disorders.

The specific criteria varies by diagnosis, but in general you can expect to qualify if your doctor has hospitalized you due to your condition several times in the last year, if your imaging tests show major abnormalities, or if you struggle with any physical exertion and experience fatigue and angina.

Based on your condition, we can help you understand the criteria that apply in your case. If your condition prevents you from working, we can usually file a claim for SSD compensation on your behalf.

How Can I Qualify for Benefits Based on My Ability to Work?

In some cases, you may not be able to work your previous job because of your heart or circulatory disorder, but still do not meet the criteria as outlined in the impairment listings. When this occurs, you will need to qualify for benefits based on your residual functional capacity (RFC).

Your RFC is a statement of your abilities and impairments that helps the SSA understand what type of tasks you are capable of, how often, and for how long. To arrive at this statement, the SSA disability examiner on your case gathers evidence to get a good picture of your condition and the impairments it causes. They analyze your medical records, other information from your care providers, and other evidence. This enables them to determine your remaining abilities.

Most people who qualify for SSD benefits have a very limited RFC. If you cannot work your old job, any job you held in the last few years, or another job that does not require specific skills, you are likely to qualify. If your cardiovascular disorder does not meet the SSA’s criteria but you cannot work because of it, give us a call. You may qualify for SSD benefits.

What Type of Evidence Is the SSA Looking for When They Evaluate My File?

When the SSA’s disability examiner requests your medical records and other documentation, they are looking for very specific details that help them understand your condition, treatment, and how the illness affects your everyday life. They will study your medical history, records of physical examinations, and any laboratory results available. They investigate your prescribed treatment and the results your doctor reported. Imaging scans and electrocardiogram results are also important.

The most important piece of this puzzle is often a detailed longitudinal clinical record covering 90 days or longer. This record helps them understand the duration and severity of your condition and may even point to how long your health may remain stable. Only with a complete medical record that accurately depicts your condition and impairments can they determine your level of disability and approve you for benefits.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Get SSD for My Cardiovascular Disorder?

In theory, you do not need an attorney to apply for SSD benefits. However, it is a good idea to have a knowledgeable disability lawyer on your side if you need these benefits to pay your bills and support your family. At Berger and Green, our Pittsburgh SSD attorneys have decades of experience helping clients file this type of claim. We understand how the claims process work and can help you get the government benefits you need to take care of yourself and your family.

We ensure the SSA receives all the contact information they need to reach your medical care providers and gain access to the documentation of your condition. While we cannot guarantee they will grant you benefits with our initial application, this gives you the best chance of getting approval.

If you already received a letter of denial from an SSD application you filed on your own, we can help you navigate the appeals process. Contact us as soon as possible after you get the official denial and we can go to work investigating why they did not approve your claim. If we discover you do qualify for benefits, we will request an appeal hearing and represent you in front of the Administrative Law Judge. We can often get your benefits approved in this hearing. You may even qualify for back pay for the time you waited before approval.

How Can I Talk to a Disability Attorney at Berger and Green?

At Berger and Green, we offer guidance and support to Pittsburgh residents who cannot work because of a disability stemming from their cardiovascular disorder. We can help you understand the full range of benefits available to you based on your condition and other qualifications, ensure the SSA receives the information they need to evaluate your case, and help you file your application for benefits. Call our office at 412-661-1400 to schedule a free complimentary consultation.