Applying for Arkansas Social Security disability claims can be overwhelming. Especially if you are living with heart disease.
Many Arkansans who suffer from cardiac issues assume that simply having a diagnosis or experiencing a major heart event automatically qualifies them for benefits. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
Social Security is less concerned about the label on your medical chart and far more focused on how your condition limits your ability to function on a daily basis.
As an Arkansas disability law firm, we’ve helped many clients pursue benefits for heart disease.
These can be strong cases, but there are also common mistakes that can damage your claim.
Let’s look at some of the most important pitfalls to avoid if you want to improve your chances of winning your Arkansas Social Security disability claim.
Assuming a Heart Disease Diagnosis Is Enough
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that a heart disease diagnosis is all it takes. Having a heart attack, stent placement, or another cardiac procedure is serious, but Social Security will not award benefits just because of the diagnosis.
Instead, the agency wants to know: How does your heart disease limit your ability to work?
Can you stand, walk, or lift without shortness of breath or chest pain? Can you perform tasks reliably, eight hours a day, five days a week, at even a simple entry-level job?
These are the questions Social Security will ask. To win your case, you need to present functional limitations, not just medical terms.
Failing to See a Cardiologist Regularly
Another common mistake is failing to follow up with your heart doctor. Some people have a stent procedure or hospitalization, but then don’t return to their cardiologist for years.
Social Security assumes that if you’re not seeing a doctor, your condition must not be serious.
Even if your cardiologist says there’s not much more treatment available, you still need to keep attending appointments.
Regular visits show that you are doing everything possible to manage your condition. It also ensures that your medical records contain up-to-date information about your symptoms and treatment.
Ignoring Medication Side Effects
Heart disease patients are often on powerful medications that can create their own problems. For example:
- Lasix may cause you to urinate every 45 minutes, making it hard to maintain any job.
- Nitroglycerin can cause severe headaches several times a week.
These side effects are not just minor inconveniences. They are practical problems that affect your ability to work.
When filling out Social Security Disability forms, you should always mention medication side effects in addition to your primary cardiac symptoms.
Leaving Out Everyday Limitations
Social Security evaluates not just medical records but also your ability to carry out basic work activities.
Be specific about your struggles, such as:
- Shortness of breath when climbing stairs or walking across a parking lot
- Needing to elevate your legs during the day
- Chest pain with light exertion
- Needing frequent rest breaks
Don’t assume the judge will connect the dots. Spell out the daily impact of your heart disease in clear, practical terms.
Engaging in Activities That Undermine Your Claim
Social Security judges look closely at whether your lifestyle matches your claimed limitations.
If your records show that you are engaging in activities such as:
- Riding motorcycles
- Horseback riding
- Taking long hikes or walks
These will raise red flags. They appear inconsistent with someone who says they can’t work due to cardiac limitations.
Similarly, continuing to smoke or drink alcohol can harm your claim. Judges may view this as evidence that you are not taking your health seriously.
Even if your condition is real and serious, these behaviors can be used against you.
Not Following Doctor’s Orders
Compliance is critical in a Social Security Disability case.
If your doctor prescribes medication, lifestyle changes, or follow-up appointments, you need to follow them.
Skipping treatment or ignoring instructions gives Social Security an excuse to argue that your symptoms are due to noncompliance rather than your underlying medical condition.
Overlooking Non-Exertional Limitations
Many people think only about their physical abilities—like lifting or walking—when describing their limitations.
But Social Security also considers non-exertional limitations, such as:
- Needing frequent restroom breaks (Lasix)
- Headaches (nitroglycerin)
- Dizziness or fatigue from medications
- Anxiety or depression caused by chronic illness
These factors can significantly impact your reliability as a worker and should always be included in your claim.
Not Considering Age and Grid Rules
It is generally easier to win disability claims as you get older. For individuals over 50, Social Security applies special grid rules.
These rules recognize that retraining for new work is more difficult later in life, especially if you are limited to sedentary or light-duty work.
If you are over 50 with heart disease, the grid rules may help tip the scales in your favor, even if you could theoretically perform some types of lighter work.
Not Working With an Experienced Arkansas Disability Lawyer
Perhaps the biggest mistake is trying to handle a complex disability claim on your own.
The Social Security Administration denies most initial applications.
Having an experienced Arkansas disability lawyer on your side greatly increases your chances of success.
We can:
- Gather the right medical evidence
- Prepare you to testify about your limitations
- Spot potential weaknesses in your case before the judge does
- Argue for the application of grid rules in your favor
With professional guidance, you can avoid the mistakes that cause so many otherwise valid claims to fail.
Final Thoughts
Heart disease is a serious condition that can make it impossible to maintain full-time work. But to succeed in a Social Security Disability claim in Arkansas, you must do more than present a diagnosis.
You need to document your functional limitations, follow your doctor’s orders, attend regular appointments, and avoid behaviors that undermine your credibility.
When handled correctly, heart disease claims can be very strong, and many Arkansans have successfully secured benefits.
By avoiding the common mistakes outlined here—and by working with an experienced Arkansas disability lawyer—you can give yourself the best possible chance of winning your case.
If you or a loved one in Arkansas are struggling with heart disease and can no longer work, don’t risk making these mistakes on your Social Security Disability claim.
Call our office today for a free consultation with an Arkansas disability lawyer who understands how to win heart disease cases.
Need Help with Your Arkansas Social Security Disability Claim?
At The Krebs Law Firm, we specialize in Social Security Disability law and are dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of the application process. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
At The Krebs Law Firm, we fight as hard as we can to help you get the disability coverage you deserve. Call today for a free consultation at (870) 741-8100 or toll free at (800) 345-0535.
It can be daunting learning the ins and outs of Social Security Disability benefits, but it’s not a task you need to take on alone. Call on an Arkansas Disability Attorney from The Krebs Law Firm to help you every step of the way.
We offer a free book on Social Security Disability benefits to Arkansas residents. Give us a call at (870) 741-8100. We have an office in Harrison, Arkansas just a couple of doors down from the Harrison Social Security Office.
Jason Krebs is licensed in both Arkansas and Missouri. Our main office is in Springfield Missouri. Our Harrison Arkansas office is by appointment only. The address is 125 Industrial Park Road Suite E1 Harrison Arkansas 72601. Our local phone number in Harrison is (870) 741-8100. Our Toll Free phone number is (800) 345-0535. You can also send us an email to contact@KrebsLawOffice.com.