Pittsburgh
Mitral Valve Prolapse Lawyer

On This Page

1. Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse
2. How Can I Prove to the SSA I Am Disabled?
3. Can I Get Disability Even If I Do Not Meet the Criteria in an Impairment Listing?
4. Why Do I Need to Talk to My Doctor About Applying for Disability?
5. What Are the Other Qualifications to Get Disability Benefits?
6. What Should I Do If the SSA Denies My Disability Claim?

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse can lead to a number of troublesome symptoms, and sometimes even requires surgery. If your symptoms, side effects of treatment, or other impairments related to your condition prevent you from working, you may be eligible to draw monthly disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

At Berger and Green, our team knows what the Social Security Administration (SSA) looks for when they evaluate an application for Social Security Disability (SSD) for mitral valve prolapse. We can double-check your paperwork and help you file for the benefits you need to make ends meet. If the SSA already denied your initial claim, we can represent you during your appeals hearing and guide you through the process of fighting for the cash benefits you deserve. Call our Pittsburgh office today at 412-661-1400 for your free case evaluation with a member of our disability team.

How Can I Prove to the SSA I Am Disabled?

Before the SSA will approve you for benefits, it needs to confirm you suffer from a total, long-term disability. The organization outlines a number of qualifying medical conditions and the criteria you must meet in the Blue Book of impairment listings.

There is not an entry that specifically addresses mitral valve prolapse in the SSA’s impairment listings. However, your symptoms may qualify you based on another cardiovascular impairment in Section 4.00 of the Blue Book. Some of the most common include:

• Chronic heart failure;
• Ischemic heart disease;
• Recurrent arrhythmias; and
• Symptomatic congenital heart disease.

We can explain the criteria that may apply to your case and help you understand your chances of getting approved for benefits. Even if you do not meet the qualifications under an impairment listing, we may still be able to help you get approval for disability benefits. If you cannot work because of your mitral valve prolapse, we can help you get the SSD benefits you deserve.

Can I Get Disability Even If I Do Not Meet the Criteria in an Impairment Listing?

For most people, the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are manageable. However, for the small portion of people who suffer from severe issues, working can be difficult or impossible. You can qualify for SSDI or SSI if your medical records prove you cannot work a normal job because of your health condition, the side effects of your medication, or other related impairments. This is possible even if you do not meet the criteria in any of the impairment listings.

To get disability benefits outside of an impairment listing, you will need a residual functional capacity (RFC) that shows you cannot work. The SSA asks your doctor, a doctor from disability determination services, or an independent doctor who conducts a consultative medical exam to complete a worksheet that assesses your ability to complete a number of work-related tasks. If the SSA finds you cannot work any job, you will likely receive approval for benefits.

We have successfully won benefits on behalf of many clients based on their RFC. We can evaluate your case to see if your mitral valve prolapse prevents you from working and qualifies for disability.

Why Do I Need to Talk to My Doctor About Applying for Disability?

Your medical records play a central role in proving you suffer from a qualifying impairment. When you talk to your doctor about needing to apply for disability, they can work with you, ensuring they document your symptoms, clearly outline your diagnosis and current health status, explain each treatment plan and the outcome, run all necessary tests, and take any needed scans.

When the examiner from the SSA receives your file, they will reach out to all your health care providers listed on your application. They will request your records, including test results and imaging scans. When your doctor knows this is coming, they can ensure your impairment is well-documented.

What Are the Other Qualifications to Get Disability Benefits?

SSDI and SSI each have their own technical qualifications you must meet to get these benefits. These qualifications relate to your income, personal assets, age, and work history. For help understanding which program you qualify for, contact our attorneys today.

Qualifications for the SSDI Program

SSDI is not an income-based program, but requires you to have an earned income below the current substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit. This includes only income you earned from working. In addition, you need to have enough work credits to qualify, which depends on your age and work history.

Qualifications for SSI Benefits

SSI, on the other hand, is an income-based program. As such, it has strict income and asset limits that change annually. To qualify for SSI benefits, you must have an income below this limit, and only limited personal assets. It is important to note, however, that there are no work requirements for SSI.

What Should I Do If the SSA Denies My Disability Claim?

It is not uncommon to receive a denial of benefits based on your initial application. If you receive a denial letter, you should give us a call right away. We can fight the denial for you, but must act quickly to win approval in your case.

When you call us, we go to work for you immediately. We will request an appeal hearing in front of an administrative law judge and collect evidence to prove you meet the qualifications to receive approval. We will then present this evidence during your appeal hearing. In most cases, we can secure benefits for qualifying clients during this hearing.

How Can I Talk to Someone About My Disability Claim?

The Berger and Green legal team is here to help you navigate the disability application process and get the benefits you deserve. We can also provide representation during the appeals process, overturning a denial of SSD benefits. Call our Pittsburgh office today at 412-661-1400 for a case evaluation with a member of our team. We provide all evaluations free of charge, and handle all Social Security cases on a contingency basis.