While people who suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are at increased risk of serious health conditions (such as pulmonary embolism or stroke), it can be difficult to win disability compensation based on DVT alone. Many cases of thrombosis can be successfully treated before the minimum 12 months required to establish disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
However, you may qualify for disability benefits if you have severe complications from your DVT. One common complication is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition that disrupts the blood flow in the legs. Swollen veins in the lower extremities can prevent proper circulation or even cause blood to flow backward. This can result in pain and swelling, and it can prevent a person from sitting or standing for prolonged periods.
The Social Security Administration allows people who have CVI to be automatically approved for disability as long as they have a positive medical diagnosis of their condition and continually experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Edema, such as fluid retention in the legs that results in severe swelling, thickening of the skin, and discoloration of the tissues
- Cellulitis or scaling of the skin on the legs that often results in burning, itching, or cramping
- Skin ulcers (open wounds) that refuse to heal, are regularly recurring, or persistently reopen over the course of at least three months
Your Medical Records Are Key to Winning Compensation
If your DVT is causing severe symptoms that prevent you from working, you should ask your doctor about the types of complications you are facing. In order to get disability benefits, you will need comprehensive medical records showing the extent of your condition (such as vascular ultrasounds and blood tests), as well as the limitations you suffer as a result. To find out more about making your best possible case to Social Security, read through a copy of our free book, The Five Deadly Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Social Security Disability Case and How to Avoid Them. Give us a call at (402) 933-5405 or email us at [email protected] for a no cost evaluation of your claim.
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