HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME (HLHS) & SSD
WHAT IS HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME?
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) is a rare congenital heart defect. When a baby is born with HLHS, the left side of the heart is severely under developed. The affected structures of the heart can include the mitral valve, left ventricle, aortic valve, and the aorta.
Because the left side of the heart is unable to send enough blood to the body, the right side of the heart must do all the work and maintain the circulation for both the lungs and the body. This extra work eventually causes the right side of the heart to fail. Find out more about congenital heart disease.
There are a number of surgeries that a person with HLHS can have to prolong their life. As the Compassionate Allowance Rules for HLHS states, “palliative surgical intervention is often in the first years of life in a series of three staged procedures.
The first procedure called the Norwood operation is done within the first few days of life. A second surgical procedure, called the Glenn shunt or hemi-Fontan procedure, is often done when the child is 4 to 6 months of age. The final stage, stage III, is called the Fontan procedure. Additional surgeries, including possible heart transplant in surviving children and adults.” See POMS DI 23022.565. Unfortunately, most adults with HLHS do not survive past their thirties.
MEETING LISTING 4.06 FOR HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME (HLHS)
This is the criteria the SSA uses to determine if you can be paid benefits under listing 4.06 for HLHS. You meet listing 4.06 if you have the following:
4.06 Symptomatic congenital heart disease (cyanotic or acyanotic), with appropriate medically acceptable imaging or cardiac catheterization and one of the following:
- Cyanosis at rest, and:
- Hematocrit of 55 percent or greater; or
- Arterial O2 saturation of less than 90 percent in room air, or resting arterial PO2 of 60 Torr or less.
OR
- Intermittent right-to-left shunting resulting in cyanosis on exertion (e.g., Eisenmenger’s physiology) and with arterial PO2 of 60 Torr or less at a workload equivalent to 5 METs or less.
OR
- Secondary pulmonary vascular obstructive disease with pulmonary arterial systolic pressure elevated to at least 70 percent of the systemic arterial systolic pressure.
HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME IS A COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE
In August of 2020, the SSA made HLHS a Compassionate Allowance.
HLHS is a fatal disease, if the heart is not operated on during the first weeks of life. A newborn with this defect appears normal at birth. Symptoms usually occur in the first few hours of life and include bluish or pale skin color, cold hands and feet, fatigue, and poor feeding.
Surgical intervention is usually a series of three staged procedures. The child may need a heart transplant as time goes on. Congenital heart defects can be chronic conditions with health implications throughout your life. Children with HLHS who survive may require additional surgery, such as a heart transplant. Lifelong medical care by a cardiologist is necessary.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME (HLHS)
Diagnostic testing: A physical exam showing signs of heart failure (faster than normal heart rate, fatigue, liver enlargement, and rapid breathing) weak pulses at various locations (wrist, groin, and others); and abnormal heart sounds when listening to the chest. Testing may include: cardiac catheterization; electrocardiogram (ECG); echocardiogram; and other imaging studies.
Symptoms and physical findings may include: bluish or poor skin color; cold hands and feet; lethargy; poor pulse; poor suckling and feeding; pounding heart; rapid breathing; and shortness of breath. Despite surgery, HLHS symptoms continue into adulthood. HLHS causes fatigue, shortness of breath and weight loss. Weight loss occurs because the heart burns significant calories while working hard to support the body.
WE CAN HELP YOU WIN YOUR HLHS CASE
The attorneys at our law firm have the experience you need to win your HLHS case. Contact us today, whether you live in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, or California, we can help. HLHS is a serious disease, but it is also rare. Therefore, the SSA may not properly evaluate your case.
You need the help of an attorney in order to proceed and win benefits. You must submit the correct medical records to the SSA. Contact us today. We can help you file your SSD application for benefits. Also, we can help you submit your medical records and appeal an SSA denial.
We will use our skills to help you through the Social Security appeal process. It is our goal to win your case. But, it also our goal to make filing for SSD benefits easier for you. We offer a free review of your benefits. There is no pressure to become a client when you call. You can simply ask questions. Even if we don’t accept your case, we will still try to help you.
THE BEST SSD LAW FIRM CAN WIN BENEFITS FOR HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME
Our law firm is one of the best SSD law firms in the country. We are one of the best Social Security firms in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also, we are one of the best SSD law firms in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cannon Disability’s representatives are also members of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives. Learn more about Utah SSD benefits. Nevada SSD benefit information can also be found on this website. We also represent clients in Idaho. Find out more about Colorado SSD benefits. Likewise, if you are from California, then read about California SSD and SSI information. We can represent you no matter where you live.
IS IT WORTH THE ATTORNEY FEE TO HIRE AN SSD LAWYER?
It isn’t easy to get Social Security benefits and the application process can be frustrating for most people. But, having an attorney throughout the appeal process can make it easier. It is our belief that when you have a law firm with experience handling your Social Security case, the SSA makes sure that they follow their own procedures. For example, we recently helped a client who has HLHS.
Despite the medical evidence which confirmed symptoms of treatment for HLHS, the SSA denied benefits. Then, at the hearing, the judge refused to grant the case, stating that the client could do seated work, even with his heart condition. However, that is not the way the law works. When you have a medical condition that falls under SSA’s special rules, then you should be granted benefits. Period. We fought and won the case.
That is the benefit of hiring an attorney with years of legal experience. Additionally, when you have an attorney with experience, they will have access to Social Security’s decisions throughout the process. They can also submit medical evidence that may be missing from your case.
There is evidence that hiring an attorney with the proper experience raises your chances of winning your SSDI and SSI benefits by 30%. It is also smart to hire an attorney to help you at your hearing. After all, you are the star witness at your hearing. If you hire an attorney with experience, they can prepare you to be a good witness at your hearing. Learn more about how to prepare for your SSD hearing.
HOW WILL YOU PAY THE ATTORNEY FEE?
We will use our legal skills to help you through the Social Security appeal process. It is our goal to win your case. But, it also our goal to make the appeal process easier for you.
We offer a free review of your case. When you call, there is no pressure to become our client. You ask questions, we answer. Even if we don’t accept your case, we will still try to help you.
It also doesn’t cost you any upfront money to hire us. Why? Because you only pay us an attorney fee if we win your case. If we win, then the SSA pays us out of your back benefits. Learn more about past due benefits. If you do not win, then you do not pay an attorney fee.
How much is the attorney fee? The attorney fee is whatever is less between 25% of your back benefit and the fee cap. This is best understood through an example. If your back benefit is $10,000, then your attorney fee would be $2500.
However, if your back benefit is $100,000, you would not pay 25% or $25,000 in attorney fees. Instead, you would pay the amount of the fee cap, which is $7200. Therefore, if you win your case, then your fee is capped at the $7200 amount.
Regardless, you pay whatever is less between 25% of your back benefit and the fee cap. Additionally, you only owe an attorney fee when we win your case. Find out more here about what it will cost to hire an SSD lawyer.
GO TO YOUR SSA HEARING WITH THE BEST SSD LAWYER
We recommend that you do not go to your hearing without a lawyer. Why? Because a lawyer can prepare you for the judge’s questions. Preparation will help you win your case. Those who come to the hearing without counsel are not usually successful in winning benefits.
You should hire an attorney with experience in Social Security law. Contact Cannon Disability Law. We can help you win benefits for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. We can also represent you if you have other congenital heart diseases. Also, you can find out more about SSD benefits for heart failure. Likewise, if you have had a heart attack, then you can learn more about how to win SSD benefits. Take advantage of a free review of your Social Security benefits.
Over the last 30 years, our law firm has won thousands of SSD claims. Additionally, we have won over $100 million in ongoing and past due SSD benefits. It has become more difficult to win Social Security cases. Also, the listing requirements are harder to meet. That is why you need an attorney who focuses on SSD law to help you win the Social Security benefits you deserve.
