SSDI benefits for deep vein thrombosisPatients who are living with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) know what a potentially dangerous condition it can be. They also should know that they may qualify for SSDI benefits if they suffer from DVT. But, why?

A blood clot deep in the vein of a patient’s lower leg can cause pain, swelling, and inflammation, and it’s possible for the clot to break off and become lodged in the heart, brain, or lungs—putting a patient at increased risk of an embolism.

How to Qualify for SSDI Benefits if You Have DVT

Due to the particular risks of DVT, the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows patients who are unable to work due to DVT to collect SSDI benefits. According to our Nebraska social security disability attorney, whether you qualify for SSDI benefits for a deep vein thrombosis will depend on:

  • Your prognosis. Patients must prove that they have been diagnosed with DVT, and their condition is expected to continue for at least 12 months or last the rest of their lives. Many DVTs respond well to treatment and can be resolved in a few weeks, so patients will likely need to show other outstanding factors that make their condition difficult to treat or require constant intervention (chronic conditions).
  • Your employment. People who have deep vein thrombosis may be advised not to work, as strenuous activity increases the risk of dislodging a blood clot. To qualify for SSDI benefits payments, you must show that you are not able  to do your past work or any other work.  
  • Your medical evidence. Most DVTs can be diagnosed using blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, or by tests that measure blood flow capacity through the legs. Your application for SSDI benefits should include evidence of your diagnosis and the details (and potential side effects) of your treatment—including blood thinners, hospitalization, immobilization, or surgery. Your doctor should provide a comprehensive overview of your restrictions, such as how long you can sit and how much you can carry, in order to help SSA determine your functional capacity.
  • Your functional capacity. The SSA will use all of the evidence in your application and medical records to determine your ability to perform sustainable work—this is called your residual functional capacity (RFC). For example, your DVT may prevent you from walking long distances and restrict you from sitting for longer than an hour, or the blood thinners you take make you dizzy. When making a determination, the SSA is required to consider all of the restrictions on your working ability, including your age, job skills, and education.

How Can Our Nebraska Social Security Disability Attorney Help Ensure Your Disability Application Will Be Approved?

According to our Nebraska social security disability attorney, your application should include as much information about your disability as possible and contain any other related conditions that could also qualify you for SSDI benefits. To find out how to build a strong disability case, download our free guide, The Five Deadly Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Social Security Disability Case and How to Avoid Them.

Or to get in touch with our Nebraska social security disability attorney quickly, fill out this contact form or call (402) 933-5405 now!

 

Sean D. Cuddigan
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SSA and VA Disability Attorney in Omaha, Nebraska