Aortic Aneurysm and SSDI Eligibility

An aortic aneurysm occurs when a section of your aorta, the body's main artery, weakens and bulges outward. This condition can affect the aorta's path through your chest or abdomen, potentially leading to a life-threatening rupture or dissection if the arterial wall tears.

Living with this condition often requires strict activity limitations to manage your blood pressure and reduce stress on the vessel. Even with medication or surgical intervention, you may experience persistent fatigue, chest or abdominal pain, and a reduced ability to perform physical tasks like lifting, walking, or sustaining a full-time work schedule.

Under Listing 4.10, the SSA evaluates the severity of your aneurysm based on objective medical evidence. You must demonstrate the presence of the aneurysm through appropriate medically acceptable imaging, such as a CT scan, MRI, or echocardiogram, which confirms the location and size of the arterial bulge.

The core requirement for this listing is that your aneurysm involves a dissection that is not controlled by prescribed medical treatment. SSA looks for a longitudinal clinical record showing that despite consistent management, your condition remains unstable or continues to pose a significant risk, preventing you from engaging in substantial gainful activity for at least 12 months. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove your condition is uncontrolled.

Your claim is strengthened by detailed reports from your cardiologist or vascular surgeon that document the specific dimensions of your aneurysm and the nature of the dissection. Include all relevant imaging studies, surgical notes, and records of any procedures performed to stabilize the vessel, as these provide the objective proof SSA needs to verify your diagnosis.

A consistent history of treatment is essential, as it shows you are following medical advice while still experiencing symptoms. Statements from your doctors regarding your functional limitations, such as your inability to lift heavy objects or tolerate the physical demands of a workplace, help bridge the gap between your medical diagnosis and your actual ability to work. An attorney can help you ensure your medical records clearly document these limitations.

Many claims are denied because your medical record fails to show that your aneurysm is uncontrolled by treatment. If your records do not clearly link your symptoms to specific functional limitations, or if there is a lack of longitudinal evidence showing the condition's persistence over 12 months, SSA may find that you are still capable of performing some form of work. Providing incomplete imaging reports or missing follow-up records often leads to an initial denial; an attorney can help you organize your evidence to avoid these pitfalls.

A disability attorney helps by ensuring your medical file is complete and directly addresses the criteria in Listing 4.10. They can work with your medical providers to obtain detailed functional capacity statements that explain why your condition prevents you from maintaining employment. If your initial application is denied, an attorney can guide you through the appeals process, ensuring that all necessary evidence is presented to an ALJ to give your claim the best chance of success.