Suffering a heart attack can cause considerable physical distress. However, the fear of another heart attack can render a victim of a heart attack incapable of living a normal life. To make matters worse, trying to get approved for Social Security disability benefits has not been successful. The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies a majority of disability claims, which means you have to know how to proceed with denied disability after a heart attack.
Submit a Convincing Appeal When Denied with a Heart Attack
After you file your initial disability claim after a heart attack, a team of examiners from the SSA reviewed your application to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements to receive financial assistance for a heart attack. With the letter coming back from the SSA stamped “Denied Disability Benefits,” you now have to forge ahead by filing an appeal. The SSA hears appeals for Social Security disability benefits, which means you need to persuade the team of medical examiners the second time around that your heart attack symptoms have made it difficult, if not impossible to work.
The team of medical examiners at the SSA will once again refer to a medical guide called the Blue Book to determine whether you qualify for financial assistance. A heart attack is not specifically listed in the SSA Blue Book, which means you have to demonstrate how a heart attack has produced considerable physical and emotional duress. Some of the symptoms that you should demonstrate for a heart attack include chronic fatigue, difficulty breathing, and intense pain in the chest.
Winning a Denied Disability Social Security with a Heart Attack Claim
For the second time around with the SSA, you need to present more convincing medical evidence that includes the result of imaging tests. X-rays taken on the heart and the area surrounding the heart can give the team of medical examiners at the SSA keen insight into the severity of your medical condition.
Another reason to submit additional medical evidence with a disability appeal is your symptoms might have gotten worse since you filed the initial claim. Some heart attack victims also experience a second attack that can be stronger or weaker than the first heart attack.
Undergo a Residual Functional Capacity Assessment
Because a heart attack does not list in the SSA Blue Book, you can expect to complete a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment as part of the appeal process. An RFC for a heart attack should focus on physical tests that measure your stamina and ability to perform physical labor if that is a significant part of your job description.
You might have to lift objects of different weights and/or ride a stationary bike for several minutes. A strong heart attack can disrupt your sense of balance, which an RFC can detect.
The Clock is Running on Your Appeal
The day you received the denial letter from the SSA was the day the clock began running on you to file an appeal for disability benefits. You have 60 days from receiving the denial letter to submit all the paperwork required for an appeal. Because you have a short amount of time to file an appeal, you should consider working with a Social Security attorney to ensure you meet the deadline.
If you fail to file your appeal on time, the SSA has the power to make you start the disability benefits claim process all over again. Complete the Free Case Evaluation to get connected with an independent, participating attorney that subscribes to the website.
