Peripheral Vascular Disease, or “hardening of the arteries” is a common condition affecting about 5% of those over 50 years of age. The arteries become narrowed reducing the flow of blood to the legs. Risk factors include those who smoke, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood levels of bad cholesterol LDL and low levels of good HDL cholesterol, and a family history of arterial disease.
SYMPTOMS
The most common symptom is pain on walking or exercise which is relieved with rest. Also, one may feel a sense fatigue and weakness in their legs. The pain is often located in the calf muscle causing leg pain with walking. The pain will tend to worsen with continued walking until one is forced to stop. With rest, the pain lessens. The pain can affect one or both legs. Individuals may also experience numbness, a cold feeling in the leg and one’s feet may turn pale. If the condition is very severe, ulcers and gangrene may occur. Surgery may be done in an attempt to increase blood flow. When peripheral vascular disease is suspected, doctors use certain testing procedures which compare pressures in the leg which will indicate the degree of arterial blockage. If this shows a certain number which they describe as “meeting the listing”, this will automatically result in one being granted benefits. In general, the less hours you can walk over an 8 hour work day, the better your chances of obtaining benefits.
If these symptoms continue to affect one’s ability to perform their job, then application for disability should be considered. Since applying for disability can be complex and frustrating, one should strongly consider using an attorney who has handled many disability cases. He will assist you in assembling all your medical records which will be reviewed by doctors at the state Social Security disability agency. Your treating doctor’s records will show how your condition is affecting your ability to walk over a normal working day. Specifically, how many hours a day you can walk over an 8 hour day is critical as to receiving social security benefits. Generally, if Social Security states you can only walk significantly under 2 out of 8 hours, benefits will usually be granted. However, if they conclude that you can probably walk, for instance, 2 out of 8 hours, then factors such as your age, past work history and education are considered as to being granted benefits. The state uses a kind of “grid” when deciding whether benefits are granted. This takes into consideration how many hours you can walk over a work day combined with your past occupations, age and how much education you have.
The main points are. 1. The less hours you can walk over a normal working day the better your chances for getting Social Security benefits. 2. Use an attorney. He can guide you through the complex process.
There is an important Social Security rule that one must understand when applying for disability. The rule states that an individual’s impairment must last at least 12 consecutive months. As an example, if you are very disabled by your condition at the start, with treatment and time you may show improvement and therefore be denied. It is important that you follow up with your doctor at regular intervals since Social Security wishes to know your current status.