SSA Listing 4.05-Recurrent Arrhythmias
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and recurrent arrhythmias are significant medical conditions that can have a profound impact on an individual's daily life. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to individuals who are unable to work due to severe impairments, including these conditions. To determine eligibility for benefits, the SSA has specific criteria outlined in the Listing of Impairments. In this blog post, we will explore how the SSA evaluates ischemic heart disease and recurrent arrhythmias based on the provided information in the Listing of Impairments.
Meeting the Criteria:
To meet the SSA's requirements for ischemic heart disease and recurrent arrhythmias, an individual must satisfy the criteria outlined in the provided information. Let's examine the criteria in detail.
Ischemic Heart Disease:
The SSA evaluates ischemic heart disease under Listing 4.04. This section requires symptoms due to myocardial ischemia while on a prescribed treatment regimen. There are three categories of criteria that an individual must meet:
Exercise Tolerance Test: The individual must undergo a sign- or symptom-limited exercise tolerance test, which demonstrates specific manifestations at a workload equivalent to 5 METs or less. These manifestations include ST segment depression or elevation, decrease in systolic pressure, or documented ischemia on appropriate medically acceptable imaging.
Ischemic Episodes: The individual must experience three separate ischemic episodes within a consecutive 12-month period, each requiring revascularization or not amenable to revascularization.
Coronary Artery Disease: The individual must have angiographic evidence or other appropriate imaging demonstrating coronary artery disease, in addition to very serious limitations in the ability to independently initiate, sustain, or complete activities of daily living.
Recurrent Arrhythmias:
The SSA evaluates recurrent arrhythmias under Listing 4.05. The following criteria must be met:
Not Reversible Causes: The recurrent arrhythmias should not be related to reversible causes such as electrolyte abnormalities or toxicities from medications like digitalis glycosides or antiarrhythmic drugs.
Uncontrolled and Recurrent Episodes: The individual must experience uncontrolled and recurrent episodes of cardiac syncope or near syncope despite prescribed treatment. The episodes should be documented by resting or ambulatory (Holter) electrocardiography or other appropriate medically acceptable testing coincident with the occurrence of syncope or near syncope.
The evaluation of ischemic heart disease and recurrent arrhythmias by the Social Security Administration involves assessing the presence of specific symptoms, manifestations, and limitations as outlined in the Listing of Impairments. Meeting the criteria is essential to establish eligibility for disability benefits. If you or someone you know has ischemic heart disease or recurrent arrhythmias and is considering applying for disability benefits, it is advisable to consult with a knowledgeable professional or seek legal assistance to navigate the application process effectively. Remember, this blog post is a general overview, and individual circumstances may vary.