Qualifying for Social Security Disability with POTS

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, commonly known by the acronym POTS, is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing).

Those with POTS can experience an excessive increase in heart rate when standing up. When a person with POTS stands, their heart rate increases by at least 30 beats per minute within 10 minutes, leading to symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting and brain fog. More common among women than men, the root causes of POTS are not fully understood.

In general, there are three kinds of POTS:

• Neuropathic POTS: Damage to the peripheral nerves, which regulate the contraction and expansion of certain blood vessels, particularly in the legs and abdomen
• Hyperadrenergic POTS: Associated with an overactive nervous system and elevated levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine
• Hypovolemic POTS: Low levels of blood circulation

If you have POTS and the symptoms of your condition prevent you from being able to hold onto a job, you may be eligible for financial assistance through one of the Social Security Disability programs.

Keep in mind that a diagnosis of POTS alone does not automatically qualify you for financial assistance. Eligibility for benefits depends upon whether the symptoms caused by POTS inhibit your ability to work.

There are two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance, which is known as SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income, commonly referred to as SSI.

SSDI pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you have a disability, and you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes recently enough.

SSI, on the other hand, is based on financial need. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says, “It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income.”

The road to winning benefits can be complicated and difficult to navigate, and it requires meeting strict criteria.

To determine if you are medically eligible for disability benefits, Social Security has a set of procedures in place. These procedures are published in a handbook known as the “Blue Book,” and it includes a list of various disabling conditions known as “listings.” If your condition matches the criteria in the Blue Book, you may be awarded disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.

There is no listing in the Blue Book specifically for POTS. However, there is a second way to qualify: by demonstrating that the symptoms of your impairment prevent you from sustaining full-time competitive employment on a consistent and reliable basis.

To prove that your disorder prevents you from maintaining full-time employment, you must start with a diagnosis through a doctor’s exam. But, as we said, a diagnosis alone is not enough to qualify you for benefits.

Your doctor should also explain how your medical conditions limit your ability to work. This is usually done using a form called the “Residual Functional Capacity” (RFC) form. The RFC form is separate from the medical records and helps your doctor explain your limitations.

To decide whether you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits the Social Security Administration will consider the RFC form along with other evidence, such as medical tests.

The main test for POTS is the tilt table test, which measures your heart rate and blood pressure as you move from lying to an upright position. Other common tests include the 10-minute stand test, Valsalva maneuver, and various autonomic nervous system function tests like the QSART test.

Medical records and reports from relevant medical specialists can bolster your case.

If you predominately experience heart issues due to POTS, evidence provided by a cardiologist will strengthen your benefits claim. If you have symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, and/or headaches, you should consult a neurologist and provide records to the SSA of those doctor visits.

Because the condition’s impact can vary widely among individuals, qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits based on POTS can be challenging.

That is why you need knowledgeable and experienced disability attorneys on your side.

If you have a disabling injury or illness and your condition has made it impossible for you to hold a job, contact the Chicago disability lawyers at Nash Disability Law for a FREE evaluation of your situation.

We know how to navigate the complex SSA disability claims process and guide you on the best path forward. We only get paid when you win your case.