quality of life or just surviving?

[ironman2862]

17 yrs of living with and trying to be a productive person in society, after aortic valve replacement, my quality of life is such that I can no longer consider myself employable. With attendance issues being the foremost reason for this conclusion, Is it too far out of the question for me to be eligible for disability. I have applied in the past, and have always been denied.

[skydnsr]

With all due respect to the community, we don't know the details of ironman2862's condition.  He has not given a lot of detail in his posts.  He might be bad off.  A lot of other heart complications can happen to someone who has had AVR.  He may or may not choose to share more, but I don't think any of us know how disabled he is or isn't.  It's entirely up to him if he wants to tell us why he is considering applying for disability.  I do agree with ed34 and grendslori that it is not easy to get SSD, even if you are truly disabled.  I also agree with grendslori that it is not easy to live on disability benefits.  Working usually offers a better quality of life, if the disabled person can manage it.  State vocational rehab agencies can oftentimes help people to retrain for a new line of work after an illness or injury.

[grendslori]

I really can't see you qualifying for SSI/SSD. Most people who can't work due to some form of heart disease, have severe forms of the disease and usually have things like the cardiomyopathies where they aren't expected to live long. When my daughter applied for SSI, she too, was denied. it turned out the department never even looked at her medical records; we know that as a fact because her medical records were kept on the corner of her doctor's desk, they were never filed in a record's department, and he told us that he was never contacted in regards to reviewing the records. the second time she applied, she was excepted. She has since had a transplant. Living on diability is not easy to do, so you may want to REALLY reconsider that option!!

[ed34]

Social security benefits are based not on what you've had done or IF you SHOULD be well enough for work, they are based on your physical and mental ability to work overal.
Regardless of angioplasty, valve replacement or whatever, if you still feel very ill, then obviously this is a disability. I'm not sure if depression is classed as an illness, but if not, it should be. When I couldn't walk more than 10 paces after my bypass failed, I tried to get disability allowance and was rejected three times. A friend told me to apply for a 4th time because it usually goes through on the 4th attempt and it did. I think they use a system whereby they automatically fail 90%+ the first couple of times and then they take it seriously if you keep reapplying.
My wife had cancer, then had to have a colostomy. After surgery her lungs developed chronic pneumonia so she was put onto life support. During life support she suffered a-fib and this resulted in a huge stroke. One side of her body is very weak and she spent three months in hospital in total. Now she is getting stronger due to rehab, but the first time I applied for disability benefits for her, it was failed. The second time I was much stronger in the form, stating as often as I could how disgusting it would be if it was failed.
It came back passed, with full mobility and carers allowance. So keep pressing.

[skydnsr]

Forgive me, but what surgery?  For the nosebleeds?

If you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, the SSD Disability Determination committee will look at your overall physical and mental condition, in terms of your either returning to your previous line of work or doing some other type of work.  If it appears that treatment can make you fit to work, it is unlikely that you will qualify for benefits.  If you cannot return to work as a welder but you can do something else, it is unlikely that you will qualify for benefits.  If there is no type of substantial work that is available in the general economy that you are fit to do, then you are considered disabled by Social Security.

[ironman2862]

Yes, I have, in the past, been treated for depression. It seems after going thru a divorce that I didn't want, I took myself off of all meds related to depression. With my Dr. approval, of course. I am a welder by trade and skill, it is inherently a dangerous profession, but that is what I do. Most recently I have had nose bleeds that started around the first of Feb., and keep recurring to this day. I am under Dr. care, and am now on medical leave from work. I am waiting to hear back from my cardiologist, to be cleared for this surgery

[Trackermom]

Ironman-
Have you been seen for depression?  Why are you missing work?  When was the last time you've been to a cardiologist?

Tracker

[skydnsr]

Having an artificial heart valve won't make you eligible for SSD, because a lot of people do well with an artificial heart valve.  Certain other heart problems can make you disabled.  You may or may not meet SSD criteria, but it won't be because you had an AVR; it will be because of other things.  

I'm sorry you are not feeling better.  If it is the case that your health does not allow you to work, I encourage you to continue pursuing disability benefits.  If you would like to give more details about your situation, maybe you can get more specific feedback from the forum.

Good luck.