Hypertension, the medical term for high blood pressure, results from a consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 or above. It can put you at risk for a long list of serious, potentially life-threatening maladies, including stroke, heart disease, and heart failure.
Even on its own, it can manifest in numerous symptoms that make it difficult to sustain meaningful, gainful employment. These can include headaches, confusion, vision problems, nausea, problems with memory, and more.
If you suffer from this condition and are unable to work, you might qualify for disability for hypertension. An attorney from the Disability Advantage Group, can help you put together a strong application for benefits. Call 865-566-0800 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Getting Disability Benefits Can Be Hard. A Skilled Disability Attorney Makes It Easier.
How many people who apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits receive approvals on the first try? It may be hard to believe, but the majority of applicants receive a denial from the Social Security Administration (SSA). It can be even harder for those denied benefits to navigate the appeals process.
The bottom line is that applying for disability benefits is tough. The number of people who apply and receive denials far outpaces those who get approved, whether on the first try or after an appeal.
The SSA sets a high threshold for approval. To qualify, you must prove you are fully disabled, meaning you cannot work because of your disability. There is no such thing as partially disabled—so you cannot draw partial benefits—in the eyes of the SSA. It is an all-or-nothing proposition.
Accordingly, your application—and the evidence contained within—needs to be thorough and compelling. We have to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that your condition meets the SSA’s hard guidelines.
That is why you need a skilled legal team on your side. At the Disability Advantage Group, we focus on disability and have a strong track record of winning benefits for our clients. Our attorneys have been successfully fighting for benefits for many years. Let us put our knowledge and resources to work for you.
How to Win Disability Benefits for Hypertension
There are two ways to win SSD benefits for hypertension. The first is to show that your condition meets all criteria of an SSA “Blue Book” listing. The Blue Book is a master list of approved medical conditions. Each listing provides the qualifying diagnostic criteria for the given condition.
The other method, if your condition does not meet the SSA’s criteria, is to demonstrate that your condition is functionally equivalent to a Blue Book condition. That means it limits your work capacity and ability to carry out daily living activities in the same way a Blue Book condition would. The residual functional capacity (RFC) test offers the most effective way to do this.
There Is No Blue Book Listing for Hypertension.
Hypertension does not have its own Blue Book listing. If you have hypertension as a standalone condition, you cannot qualify for benefits based on a Blue Book listing. Instead, through the use of an RFC test and other evidence, we can demonstrate to the SSA that your condition is functionally equivalent to a Blue Book listing in how it limits you.
That said, hypertension often affects other body systems. Some of the medical conditions associated with hypertension have their own Blue Book listings. If you suffer from one of the impairments below—and meet the SSA’s medical criteria—you may qualify for benefits:
- A heart or cardiovascular condition;
- A brain, neurological, or central nervous system condition;
- A condition affecting your kidneys; or
- An eye condition.
For each of these conditions, the Blue Book lists the criteria necessary for approval. We can review these listings with you to determine if you qualify or if we need to supply an RFC test.
An RFC Test Can Help You Qualify for Benefits.
If your hypertension is not associated with a Blue Book condition—or you do not meet the strict criteria of a listing—we have another option to help you qualify for disability benefits. An RFC test can show that your hypertension is functionally equivalent to a Blue Book listing.
Your doctor completes the RFC test on your behalf. The information he or she supplies comes from your medical records, diagnoses, test results, and the physician’s own observations. The end result is an objective analysis of your condition and how it affects your ability to work and carry out daily living activities.
The SSA’s chief concern when approving or denying an application is this: Is the applicant sufficiently disabled to the point that working is simply not an option? If we can supply solid proof that the answer to this question is “yes,” you have a strong chance of winning benefits.
You Must Also Meet Income and Work History Requirements to Qualify for Disability Benefits.
The SSA runs two disability programs. One is an insurance program for workers who become disabled and can no longer work. The other is a means-tested benefit program for the needy.
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you need a sufficient work history. You must have paid a certain amount in payroll taxes, part of which serve as funding for the program.
You must also prove you are unable to earn a living and that your income falls below the SSA’s substantial gainful activity limit. For 2017, this limit is $1,170 per month.
To qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your income and total assets must be below a certain level. If you earn more than $735 per month or have more than $2,000 in personal assets, you cannot qualify for SSI benefits.
We can review your finances and work history. Using this information, we can determine whether you qualify for SSDI, SSI, or perhaps both.
Call Us Today at 865-566-0800 for a Free Attorney Consultation.
The team at the Disability Advantage Group, is ready to work for you. Let us help you build the strongest possible application for disability. To set up your free consultation, call 865-566-0800 today.