If you are unable to work at your job because of high blood pressure (hypertension), you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Hypertension can cause sufferers to experience a wide variety of symptoms, and many of them preclude work. Read on for what applicants need to know when they apply for SSDI benefits.

Afflictions and Working

Hypertension has been around for a long time and is thought to be a preventable disease. Not only that, but once you are diagnosed with hypertension, there is always a chance that you can control it by attending to your weight, salt intake, and more. There are also dozens of hypertension medications available to help bring down your numbers. Unfortunately, these treatments may not be effective enough for some to prevent the secondary medical conditions that may follow. It is often this cluster of conditions that cause people problems, since hypertension is seldom noticeable by itself.

Being Approved for Benefits

To be approved for SSDI, applicants have to show that hypertension and the accompanying issues like heart disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, kidney disease, and more have affected their ability to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that applicants show not just that they have a medical condition, but also that:

1. The applicant has been treated for the condition recently.
2. The applicant followed the doctor's advice and has made every attempt to cope with the disorder.
3. The applicant had been unable to work because of the condition for at least a year (or is expected to be affected for at least a year in the future, or a combination of those).
4. The applicant is suffering from specific symptoms of the condition that make it impossible to perform certain duties of their most recent job.
5. The applicant has undergone certain diagnostic testing to show they have hypertension or a related condition and that it is relatively uncontrolled with medication or other measures.

Actions to Take

• Seek medical treatment and keep good records. A log to record each medical visit will help you recall things later on.
• Apply for SSDI benefits as soon as possible. The wait time for applications can be months and months.
• Continue to see your doctor and treat your hypertension while waiting for the SSA to respond to the application.

If Your Application Is Turned Down

It is very common for applicants to be denied their SSDI benefits, and you should not be discouraged if this happens to you. The SSA offers applicants a chance to appear before an SSA administrative law judge and explain their case in greater detail. It's highly recommended that you seek help from a Social Security lawyer before your appeal hearing occurs. Talk to a lawyer about your case and have them advocate for you during the hearing. You stand a far better chance of an approval with a lawyer on your side.

Contact a Social Security Disability law firm to learn more.