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I have Coronary Heart Disease, Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

The SSA will evaluate your coronary heart disease based on the current objective medical evidence in your medical record and any other evidence they may have. In rare cases where there is no medical documentation of your condition in the medical record, or the documentation covers too short of a time period, the SSA may order a consultative examination to help them evaluate your impairment. If you have not been on a regimen of prescribed treatment, you will have a difficult time showing that your coronary heart disease meets Listing 4.04.

Symptoms Required

Listing 4.04 states that you must have symptoms due to myocardial ischemia, such as one of the following:

  • angina pectoris, which is chest discomfort that is caused by activity or emotion, and quickly relieved by rest (or rapidly acting nitrates such as nitroglycerin tablets)
  • atypical angina, which is pain or discomfort that is located in places other than the chest, such as the inner left arm, jaw, neck, back and upper abdomen
  • anginal equivalent, which is shortness of breath on exertion, but with no complaints of chest pain or discomfort
  • variant angina, which refers to episodes of angina at rest due to spasm of a coronary artery (this should be demonstrated by transient ST segment elevation on an electrocardiograph (ECG)), or
  • silent ischemia, which is the occurrence of myocardial ischemia or myocardial infarction without any pain or other symptoms.

In addition to the symptoms described above, Listing 4.04 also requires that you have one of the following; an abnormal stress test, ischemic episodes, or abnormal imaging results. If the performance of an exercise tolerance test would be too risky, an angiography or other medically acceptable imaging demonstrating coronary artery disease. The angiographic evidence must show 50 to 70 percent of narrowing of a coronary artery that has not been bypassed. For the specific angiographic evidence required, see Listing 4.04C(1) in the SSA's blue book. In addition to the angiographic evidence, your coronary heart disease must seriously limit your ability to engage in daily activities.

The SSA will be looking for a longitudinal clinical record of your coronary heart disease. This means at least 3 months of treatment is typically needed, unless your current evidence is sufficient for the SSA to make a determination. The basic documentation you should supply to the SSA includes detailed reports of your history, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and any treatment that has been prescribed to you, as well as your response to such treatment.

Your longitudinal record should include ECG (electrocardiograph or electrocardiogram) results. An electrocardiograph records electrical impulses of your heart onto a strip of paper known as an electrocardiogram or tracing. An ECG may show that your heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen, resulting in ischemia. An ECG may be performed while the patient is at rest or exercising.

Your disability attorney will be sure to include the results of any exercise tolerance tests performed in your packet of medical evidence. Exercise testing is the most commonly used testing for determining the presence of myocardial ischemia and for providing an estimate of your aerobic capacity. If possible, recent exercise test results should be included in your records, since the SSA generally considers exercise test results to be timely for only 12 months after they have been performed.

If you have been undergoing treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all of the symptoms you have been experiencing due to coronary heart disease. Mention any chest pain or discomfort, where it is located, and whether it interferes with your ability to concentrate or complete tasks. If you have problems walking certain distances without shortness of breath or fatigue, be sure that information makes it into your doctor's notes. If you are on medication for coronary heart disease, note any side affects you may experience, such as lethargy, headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, depression, memory loss, or blurred vision.

If you do not meet the requirements for coronary heart disease described above, you might still be eligible for disability benefits. As part of the next step in the disability determination process, the SSA must consider whether your heart impairment has reduced your capacity to work. If the SSA determines that you are unable to perform your past job or any other job, you may be found disabled.

The SSA will consider all of your relevant medical evidence in your case file to determine what is called your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC -- for sedentary work, light work, or medium work -- is the most work activity that you can do on a regular and continuing basis despite your limitations. In your RFC assessment, the SSA will rate your ability to perform work-related activities such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. For example, if your doctor finds that you cannot lift more than 20 pounds due to shortness of breath, but that you can stand or walk for at least 6 hours of an 8-hour workday, the SSA will give you an RFC for light work. However, if your doctor finds that you cannot lift more than 10 pounds and should walk or stand no more than 2 hours of an 8-hour workday due to fatigue, the SSA will give you an RFC for sedentary work.

After determining your RFC, the SSA will use this information to decide if you can do your prior job with your limitations. If you cannot perform your prior job, the SSA will consider your RFC along with your age, education and work experience to decide if there are other jobs that you can do.

Let Our Attorneys Help

The experienced Norfolk SSDI attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman PC have helped thousands of disabled individuals receive the benefits to which they are entitled. We can help you through every step of the claims process to ensure you receive your benefits in a timely manner. We will also handle any necessary appeals for you, greatly increasing your likelihood of a successful outcome to your appeal. The SSDI process is too complicated to handle it on your own. Let us help increase your chances of receiving the benefits you deserve.

Please contact our experienced Social Security attorneys in Norfolk online or by phone at (855) 880-8163 today to schedule your free initial consultation. Kalfus & Nachman PC serves clients in Norfolk, Newport News, Richmond and Roanoke, Virginia.