Social Security Disability Benefits for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body. Most DVTs occur in the lower leg or in the thigh. If the blood clot breaks free and begins to travel throughout the body in the bloodstream, it is referred to as an embolus. If the embolus should reach the heart or the lungs it becomes a pulmonary embolism, which could block the flow and cause damage to the lungs and other organs and cause death. Having DVT is a serious condition because it can ultimately lead to a stroke, a heart attack or the death of the patient.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can be a result of the damage that can be done to the veins by varicose veins or DVT. A person who has CVI, has veins that have trouble moving blood from the legs back up to the heart because of the weakened vein walls and valves.

Does DVT make me eligible for disability benefits?

If a person has deep vein thrombosis, they may not be able to sit or stand for long periods of time because either of these postures can cause the blood in the leg veins to pool thus increasing the pressure. All of that pressure can further weaken the vein walls and valves.

In order to qualify for social security disability benefits, you must be able to show that your disability keeps you from being able to perform “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). You must be able to prove, through medical evidence, that your DVT is expected to last at least 12 months or result in your death. If you are not able to prove these things, your claim will be denied.

Determining your eligibility

If you can prove that your DVT will last for longer than a year, the Social Security Administration will look at how the DVT affects your ability to perform the functions required for work such as sitting, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying things. If your DVT makes it difficult for you to sit at a desk, or climb up and down stairs or walk around, then this would limit some of the types of jobs that require those activities.

According to the SSA, it can be difficult to qualify for Social Security Disability on DVT alone; however, if it has progressed to CVI, then your chances are better; the Social Security Administration lists Chronic Venous Insufficiency in their “Blue Book.” In order to qualify to receive disability benefits you would be required to meet the qualification for your illness listed in the Blue Book.

Your medical records that include the results of all of the medical tests that your physician put you through in order to diagnose your condition, along with your doctor’s notes about the kind of work you can and cannot do, how long you are able to sit or stand, how long you can walk will carry significant weight in your application. The SSA will also look at your age, your education level, and your employment history along with your physical limitations to see if there are other kinds of work that you will be able to do when you have DVT and CVI.

When you work with an experienced West Tennessee Social Security Disability attorney at Bailey & Greer, PLLC you have an advocate on your side who has helped countless clients before you apply for Social Security Disability Benefits. You may fill out our quick contact form to schedule a no obligation consultation in one of our offices in Memphis or Jackson.