Residual Functional Capacity For Arrhythmia
The SSA will review your medical records at the Initial Application and Reconsideration stage of the claims process and determine your functional capacity to perform sedentary, light, medium and heavy work.
SSA medical consultants often opine that a Social Security Disability applicant can do light and sedentary work, and that will result in a claims denial. The lower your RFC the more likely that you can’t return to the lightest job you held in the last 15 years or perform other work. SSA doesn’t tell applicants or physicians about the existence and importance of properly completed RFC forms that will explain:
- Whether your arrhythmia causes you to frequently experience chest pain or dizziness,
- How much you can lift,
- How long you can walk, stand, stoop and bend because of weakness, chest pain, dizziness or shortness of breath,
- How long you must take breaks throughout the day because of chest pain or dizziness,
- Whether your arrhythmia makes it difficult for you to focus, concentrate or keep the pace required at work,
- Whether you have good days and bad days and how many days per month you would miss from work, and
- Whether you have psychological problems, including depression and anxiety, that would interfere with your ability to work.
This is not an exhaustive list of all of the questions on an arrhythmia RFC form. But you can see that having an explanation of what you can do physically, cognitively and emotionally is key to winning your case.
You also might have more than one medical problem. It isn’t uncommon for those with arrhythmias to have other cardiological or even kidney problems. It might be necessary to have an RFC form filled out for each of your disabling medical conditions.
Many SSA cases are lost because the applicant did not obtain an RFC or the right RFC form, or because their treating physician completed it improperly. That is one of the many reasons you should have an experienced Social Security attorney like Nancy L. Cavey represent you in your claim.
How Your Residual Functional Capacity Is Used At A Social Security Hearing
Many claims are denied both at the Initial Application and Request For Reconsideration stages of the claims process.
At the hearing stage, the Administrative Law Judge will determine your RFC and give hypotheticals to the vocational evaluator (VE) who will testify at your hearing. The judge will ask the VE to take into consideration your RFC, as determined by the judge, your age, education and prior work experience in determining:
- Whether you can return to the lightest job you held in the last 15 years,
- Whether there is other work you can do or could learn to do.
It is crucial that you are represented at a hearing to make sure the right questions are asked of the VE.
How Do I Get The Social Security Disability Benefits I Deserve if I have Arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia not only can interfere with your daily activities but with your ability to work. If you no longer can work or your doctor has told you to apply for Social Security disability, you should hire Nancy Cavey to help you:
- File your initial Social Security Disability application. The application process is confusing and designed so you make mistakes that can result in a delay or even a denial of your benefits.
- Appeal a wrongful denial of your Social Security disability application or Request for Reconsideration.
- File an Application for Hearing and represent you at the hearing with the Administrative Law Judge who will decide if you get benefits. She will have your physician, if possible, complete the right RFC(s), prepare you for the hearing, prepare a hearing brief, and be prepared to cross-examine the VE.
The SSA is in the business of denying claims and will use any reason to deny your benefits. The odds of getting your Social Security benefits are greater when you are represented by an experienced Social Security Disability attorney like Ms. Cavey.
