De Quervain’s tendinitis is a condition that affects the base of the thumb. Any limitation in the use of your thumb would limit the number of jobs available to you. I cannot think of a job where you would not need to use your thumb.
Heart Conditions
Heart conditions, or cardiovascular disease, can be caused by underlying medical problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Heart disease can also be hereditary. Cardiovascular disease can cause disabling symptoms such as fatigue on exertion and chest pain. Those who have already had a heart attack or who are at high risk for having one often have anxiety related to their condition.
The Social Security Administration’s listing of impairments covers a number of different heart conditions separately. There are listing regulations for chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, recurrent arrhythmias, symptomatic congenital heart disease, heart transplant, aneurysm, chronic venous insufficiency, and peripheral arterial disease. The regulations that govern whether or not you can be considered disabled on the basis of your heart disease alone are found under Section 4.0 (cardiovascular) of the listing of impairments. However, even if you do not qualify as disabled under these regulations, the symptoms of your heart condition could contribute to causing you disabling limitations of function. In particular, the fatigue and chest pain associated with these conditions could prevent you from being able complete a whole 8 hour work day even at a sit down job. If your doctor is willing to acknowledge that, then you it is possible you could be considered disabled on that basis.
It is very important that you are compliant with your doctor’s advice regarding your cardiovascular disease. If you are obese, no doubt your doctor has asked you to lose weight. If that is the case then you need to make sure your doctor is aware of your weight loss efforts. It wouldn’t hurt to keep a food and exercise log and show it your doctor. If you are diabetic, be sure to take your diabetes medicine faithfully. If you have anxiety related to your heart condition, then you need to be seen by a mental health care provider.
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