Some people in West Virginia may be unaware that it is possible to apply for disability benefits on the basis of high blood pressure. In fact, along with back problems, it is one of the most common reasons people apply for Social Security Disability.
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It can affect a number of different organs, including eyes, brain, kidneys and heart. It is important to understand that when a disability claim is evaluated by the Social Security Administration, it is less the condition itself that is evaluated than the limitations created by the condition. While having high blood pressure is not necessarily in and of itself an illness, it is the effect on the rest of the body that leads to its classification as a type of disability.
A blood pressure that is consistently above 140/90 is considered high. The type of hypertension may be primary, also known as essential, or it may be secondary. The vast majority of cases of hypertension are the former type, meaning there is no underlying condition that causes it. Kidney disease and tumors are just two of the conditions that can lead to secondary hypertension. High blood pressure can cause kidney failure, strokes, and chronic heart failure.
A person who is unable to work because of a disability caused by high blood pressure may want to contact an attorney. It is not uncommon for a first application for Social Security Disability benefits to be turned down, and if this is the case, an attorney may also be able to help with an appeal. To obtain SSD benefits, it may be necessary to provide a work history and documentation of the disability.