A denied Social Security with heart failure claim does not mean you have reached the end of the road when it comes to receiving financial assistance. You have the right to file an appeal with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Filing an appeal for denied disability benefits means you need to submit more convincing medical evidence the second time around, as well as undergo a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment that measures your mental and physical capability to continue working your current job.
Reversing a Denied with Heart Failure Claim
To appeal a heart failure disability claim, you might have to undergo an RFC assessment. Although your doctor conducted a stress test during the initial examination, an RFC represents a much more thorough assessment of your heart.
A member of a team of medical examiners from the SSA puts you through one or more physical tests that measure your level of exertion. For heart failure, you might have to walk on a treadmill for an extended period to see how well you respond to prolonged stints of physical activity. An RFC assessment for heart failure might also include physical tests that measure your mental strength, as the disease can become a major mental burden that inhibits your performance at work.
Do Your Symptoms Qualify You for Financial Assistance?
Having a claim denied with heart failure is not unusual. In fact, the SSA denies a majority of Social Security disability claims. The federal government agency refers to a medical guide called the Blue Book to determine eligibility for financial assistance. Although heart failure lists in Section 4.02 of the Blue Book, you have to demonstrate that your condition meets the symptoms guidelines presented by the medical guide.
You must prove that you have received a professional diagnosis of heart failure symptoms that make it difficult for you to keep working. Heart failure can cause acute fatigue and shortness of breath, which prevents you from completing ordinary physical tasks such as getting up from a chair at the office. Swelling in the legs, feet, and/or ankles can hinder your mobility, which is an especially important physical impediment for someone who stands for most of the day at work.
Proving You Suffer from Heart Failure
The key to proving the symptoms of heart failure have kept you away from work is to present the results of several diagnostic tests. Your physician should review your medical history, as well as complete a series of examinations that target the heart and the areas surrounding it.
A heart failure denied disability claim can be overturned if you submit copies of the results of diagnostic tests that include a chest x-ray and an electrocardiogram (ECG) An ECG records the electoral activity produced by your heart by reading the signals generated by electrodes. Blood tests indicate the presence of one or more diseases that have compromised the strength of your heart.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Many denied disability claims for heart failure stem from applicants not seeking legal support from a Social Security attorney. If you had a disability claim denied by the SSA, you should ask for a free case evaluation conducted by a lawyer who handles Social Security disability cases.
You have 60 days after receiving the denied claim letter from the SSA to file an appeal. Your lawyer can help you meet the deadline by gathering and organizing medical evidence, as well as preparing you to complete an RFC assessment. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation on this page today to get in touch with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website.
