Arteries carry blood from the heart to the body. In some cases a person’s blood pressure can be too low to push the blood through the extremities. This problem is most commonly found in the lower extremities. When the blood supply is cut off or severely restricted to a body part, that part of the body “dies” and gangrene can set in, which can eventually lead to amputation. The condition in which your body does not push enough blood to your extremities is called Peripheral Arterial Disease.
Social Security recognizes Peripheral Arterial Disease as disabling under listing 4.12. The Listing requires intermittent claudication with at least one of the following:
- A resting ankle/brachial systolic blood pressure ratio of less than .50
- A decrease in systolic blood pressure at the ankle on exercise of 50% of pre-exercise level
- A resting toe systolic pressure of less than 30 mm Hg
- A resting toe/brachial systolic pressure ratio of less than .40
Typically, a person with Peripheral Arterial Disease will develop pain in the calf or thigh after walking a certain distance and the pain will increase to a level that causes that individual start limping or to stop walking all together. The limping is called claudication.
Most people with Peripheral Arterial Disease will not meet the listing as described. Instead, that person’s best chance to be found disabled will be to show that he or she cannot walk effectively to keep pace with others in the competitive job market.
If you think you have Peripheral Arterial Disease please go see a Doctor immediately! The doctor will perform tests such as Arteriograms and Doppler Studies. If you are found to have Peripheral Arterial Disease then you will need the results of the tests to support your claim for disability. If you have any questions please contact our office at 214-999-9999.
