SSDRC

Filing an Application for Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability List of Impairments

Social Security Disability and SSI Back pay

Social Security Disability Status

SSI Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability and SSI Requirements

Social Security, SSI, and Mental Disability

How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits?

Qualifying: What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability?

Facts about Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Filing for Disability

1. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is called triple-a, for its initials AAA.

2. There are two types of aortic aneurysms, with about 75 percent occurring in the abdomen, and only about 25 percent occurring in the chest.

2. The aorta is the body's main blood vessel that starts from the heart and goes through the chest and abdomen. Abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the aortic wall has a weakened spot, where bulging then occurs. This can lead to rupturing, which is the dangerous complication of an aneurysm.

3. Many aneurysms never rupture, but if an abdominal aortic aneurysm does rupture it is a medical emergency. When an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, it causes the blood running through the aorta to spill into the abdomen. This can quickly cause death.

4. Aneurysms that are small and grow slowly will probably not rupture. Aneurysms that are large and growing quickly are more likely to rupture. Once detected, doctors can watch the progression of the aneurysm to determine if preventative surgery is needed to keep the aneurysm from bursting. Ruptured aneurysms require emergency surgery which can be difficult and life threatening.

5. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are hard to detect because they often occur with minor symptoms or none at all. Pain in the lower abdominal region, as well as the groin, lower back and sides can occur. If symptoms are present, the aneurysm is more likely to rupture, therefore preventative surgery is more likely needed.

6. Tobacco use is one of the highest risk factors for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, since of those with an AAA over 90 percent have a history of smoking.

7. Studies indicate that genetics are likely a risk factor for developing an AAA, primarily among men.

8. Testing and diagnosis for an abdominal aortic aneurysm includes an ultrasound, CT and MRI scans of the aorta in the abdomen. These imaging machines display any abnormalities, helping doctors detect and monitor any abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Can you qualify for disability benefits with this condition?

Whether or not you qualify for disability and, as a result, are approved for disability benefits will depend entirely on the information obtained from your medical records. This includes whatever statements may have been obtained from your treating physician (a doctor who has a history of treating your condition and is, therefore, qualified to comment as to your condition and prognosis).

It will also depend on the information obtained from your vocational, or work, history if you are an adult, or academic records if you are a minor-age child. The important thing to keep in mind is that the social security administration does not award benefits based on simply having a condition, but, instead, will base an approval or denial on the extent to which a condition causes functional limitations. Functional limitations can be great enough to make work activity not possible (or, for a child, make it impossible to engage in age-appropriate activities).

Why are so many disability cases lost at the disability application and reconsideration appeal levels?

Speaking as a former Disability Claims Examiner, I can state that there are several reasons:

1) Social Security makes no attempt to obtain a statement from a claimant's treating physician. By contrast, at the hearing level, a claimant and his or her disability attorney will generally obtain and present this type of statement to a judge;

2) Prior to the hearing level, a claimant will not have the opportunity to explain how their condition limits them, nor will their attorney or representative have the opportunity to make a presentation based on the evidence of the case. At the hearing level, of course, this is exactly what happens. And a number of disability representatives will also take such steps even earlier, at the reconsideration appeal level;

3) Disability judges, unlike disability examiners who decides cases at the first two levels of the system, can make independent decisions without being overturned by immediate supervisors--which happens frequently.