Per the Mayo Clinic, peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral arterial disease) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. The extremities, typically the legs, do not receive enough blood flow, which causes leg pain when walking. This is known as claudication. Claudication symptoms can include muscle pain or cramping in the legs or arms with activity. Sometimes this pain can be debilitating. The condition may also be reducing blood flow to the heart and brain as well as the legs.
If you are experiencing peripheral artery disease, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will find that an induvial is disabled due to peripheral artery disease if certain criteria are met. Specifically, the peripheral artery disease must be determined by appropriate medically acceptable imaging and must be causing intermittent claudication.
To meet the criteria established by the Social Security “blue book” you must also have a resting ankle brachial systolic blood pressure ratio of less than .50 or a decrease in systolic blood pressure at the ankle on exercise of 50 percent or more of pre-exercise level and requiring 10 minutes or more to return to pre-exercise level, or have documentation of resting toe systolic pressure of less than 30 mm Hg or resting toe/brachial systolic blood pressure ratio of less than .40.
Even if your peripheral artery disease does not have the specific findings laid out above, it may still be possible to be found disabled based on the degree to which your functionality is limited by your peripheral artery disease. An inability to perform your past work or other work can entitle you to benefits even if your medical records do not meet the rigid criteria of a “blue book listing.
An experienced Social Security disability attorney can help you evaluate whether you have a claim for disability due to peripheral artery disease.
