Fairmont
Heart Disease Disability Lawyer

On This Page

1. Why Choose Berger and Green for Your Heart Disease Disability Claim
2. Understanding the Two Disability Programs Available to You
3. How Heart Disease Can Affect Your Ability to Work
4. Applications and Appeals for Fairmont Disability Claimants
5. Start Your Fairmont, WV, Disability Claim Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2025

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Living with heart disease can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming — and trying to navigate the Social Security Disability system on top of that can feel impossible. If your condition is keeping you from working in West Virginia, a Fairmont heart disease disability lawyer at Berger and Green can help you take the next step toward the benefits you need.

As trusted Social Security Disability lawyers serving Fairmont, we understand how unpredictable and exhausting cardiac conditions can be, and we’re here to assist you with your application or appeal. For more than 40 years, our firm has helped people pursue the financial support that allows them to focus on their health. Call us now to get started with a free consultation about your options.

Why Choose Berger and Green for Your Heart Disease Disability Claim

When you’re living with a serious heart condition, every bit of energy matters. The last thing you need is the stress of dealing with forms, deadlines, and denials on your own. Choosing Berger and Green means choosing a team that has helped thousands of clients pursue the disability benefits they deserve.

We take a client-first approach by completing and filing your application for you. If the Social Security Administration has already denied your claim, we step in and move your appeal forward. Our lawyers can also represent you throughout the appeals process, making sure your claim is set up for success.

Many of our clients face significant health challenges, so we make things easier by offering home or hospital visits when needed. As The Injury and Disability Lawyers, we are committed to providing steady support, clear answers, and dependable guidance at every stage of your case. When you want experience, compassion, and a firm you can trust, Berger and Green is here to help you move forward.

Understanding the Two Disability Programs Available to You

When heart disease limits your ability to work, the Social Security Administration offers two different paths to financial support.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on your own work history. Over the years, you earn work credits for qualifying jobs. Most people need about 20 work credits (typically five years of recent work) to qualify. If heart disease now prevents you from maintaining full-time employment for at least 12 months, SSDI may provide monthly benefits based on the contributions you’ve already made.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) works differently. Even though it’s a needs-based program, the SSA uses the same medical disability standards for SSI as it does for SSDI — meaning you still must show your heart condition keeps you from maintaining full-time work for at least 12 months.

People with advanced or terminal heart conditions may also qualify for benefits. Understanding which program fits your circumstances can make the process easier, and a lawyer can help you take the right next step.

How Heart Disease Can Affect Your Ability to Work

Heart disease affects more than your physical health — it impacts your energy, focus, and ability to safely get through a full workday. Whether you’re living with coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, or a serious arrhythmia, the symptoms can make steady employment extremely difficult. Many people experience:

• Severe fatigue and reduced stamina, making it hard to keep up with even routine tasks.
• Shortness of breath with light activity, limiting walking, standing, or lifting.
• Chest pain or pressure that disrupts concentration and requires frequent breaks.
• Dizziness or fainting episodes, especially in conditions involving irregular heart rhythms.
• Ongoing medical needs, including frequent appointments, medication adjustments, and sometimes unplanned hospitalizations.

Medical evidence that shows how your symptoms interfere with your ability to work consistently is important to the outcome of your case.

Applications and Appeals for Fairmont Disability Claimants

Filing for disability benefits is rarely simple, especially when you’re dealing with a heart condition. The SSA reviews claims in a series of steps, and it’s common for applicants to be denied and required to appeal. Our Fairmont heart disease disability attorneys can guide your case through each stage, including:

• Initial Application: You submit your first claim to the SSA, along with the relevant medical information that explains how your heart disease affects your ability to work.
• Reconsideration: If the SSA denies your application, you can ask for a new review by a different examiner. This is the first step in the appeal process.
• Hearing: If reconsideration is denied, you may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The hearing may be held by phone, video, or in person. Your lawyer represents you and advocates for you throughout this stage. This is the stage with the highest approval rate.
• Review of Hearing Decision: If the ALJ denies your claim, you can ask the Appeals Council to review the judge’s decision and determine whether it was handled correctly.
• Review by Federal District Court: If the Appeals Council does not grant relief, you may take the case to federal district court for further review of your claim.

No matter where you are in this timeline, Berger and Green steps in to make the process easier so you can focus on your health.

What the SSA Looks for in Heart Disease Disability Claims

Before moving your claim through each stage, the SSA reviews the medical information you submit to understand how your heart disease limits your ability to work. Evidence can take many forms, and every case looks a little different, but supporting evidence can include:

• Test results such as EKGs, stress tests, echocardiograms, or imaging that show how your heart is functioning.
• Documented symptoms, including fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or limitations with physical activity.
• Treatment history, such as medications, procedures, or hospital stays, that reflect the seriousness of your condition.
• Functional limitations, including how often your symptoms interrupt daily activities or prevent you from maintaining a regular work pace.
• Changes over time, which can show whether your condition is stable, worsening, or complicated by repeated episodes.

These details help the SSA understand the full picture of your condition, which can influence how your claim progresses through each stage of the review process.

Start Your Fairmont, WV, Disability Claim Today

When heart disease disrupts your ability to earn a living, getting clear answers and reliable support becomes essential. A Fairmont heart disease disability lawyer at Berger and Green can help you understand your options and guide you through each step of your claim. Reach out today to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you moving forward.