Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of myPHteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Has anyone had an issue with being approved for SSI disability? My husband has Mean Arterial Pulmonary pressures in the 80s.

A myPHteam Member asked a question 💭
La Quinta, CA

My husband has had Pulmonary Hypertension since he was diagnosed in January 2023 but was not receiving the correct diagnosis till this last September 2025 when he was hospitalized with pneumonia and ended up on a ventilator for 2 weeks and was started on the remodulin pump while he was on the ventilator. Just December 2nd 2025, the judge denied my husband the disability due to his substance abuse but in the disability blue book it specifically states that 3.09 for Pulmonary Hypertension is an… read more

January 5
 · 
Reactions
A myPHteam Member

I applied in December of 2021 and was approved by January 2022. My previous employer had an attorney file for me at no cost to me, which was a blessing in itself.

January 5
A myPHteam Member

It depends, I applied in 2024 and was approved in 2 months. Just depends, each depends on Drs and info needed

January 5 (edited)
A myPHteam Member

I applied in 2019 at that time I was not diagnosed with PAH. But I did have scleroderma. And I was approved 5 months later.

January 5
myPHteam

Has anyone had issues getting approved for SSI disability with pulmonary hypertension, especially with high mean arterial pulmonary pressures?

It's incredibly frustrating that your husband was denied despite having an mPAP in the 80s, which is significantly elevated. A healthy mPAP is between 11 and 20 mm Hg, and pulmonary Show Full Answer

Has anyone had issues getting approved for SSI disability with pulmonary hypertension, especially with high mean arterial pulmonary pressures?

It's incredibly frustrating that your husband was denied despite having an mPAP in the 80s, which is significantly elevated. A healthy mPAP is between 11 and 20 mm Hg, and pulmonary hypertension is diagnosed when mPAP is greater than 20 mm Hg. Your husband's readings are well above diagnostic thresholds and indicate severe disease.

You're right to advocate strongly for him. If you cannot work and have been unable to do so for 12 months because of pulmonary hypertension, you may be eligible for disability benefits. Documentation of the condition is crucial for approval.

For your appeal, consider gathering:

* All cardiac catheterization results showing the elevated mPAP readings
* Medical records documenting his hospitalization, ventilator use, and Remodulin pump treatment
* Documentation from his pulmonary hypertension specialist about disease severity and functional limitations
* Records showing how PH affects his daily activities and ability to work
* Any documentation about his functional class (WHO classes 1-4, with 4 being most severe)

Since your previous attorney won't continue, you might want to consult with a different disability attorney who specializes in cardiovascular cases and understands the specific listings for pulmonary hypertension. Many offer free consultations. Additional considerations:

The severity of your husband's condition is clear from the medical interventions required. Being on a ventilator for 2 weeks and needing a Remodulin pump indicates advanced disease that significantly impacts daily functioning.

When building your case for the appeals council, focus on demonstrating how the pulmonary hypertension itself prevents him from working, regardless of other factors. Emphasize the objective medical evidence like the cardiac catheterization results and the need for advanced therapies.

A myPHteam member shared about their own journey: "Yes, you definitely need to be your own advocate." This is especially true in disability cases where the medical complexity of PH may not be fully understood by judges.

Keep detailed records of all symptoms, limitations, and how they affect daily life. This documentation strengthens your case and shows the real-world impact of living with severe pulmonary hypertension.

January 5
A myPHteam Member

I had to appeal an initial turn down years ago when dealing with a different pulmonary issue. At the time I found out that SS turns down the great majority of initial applications, relying on the appeal process. I did it all myself and it was not easy. But I got it done.

The issue I had then was Bleomycin Pulmonary Toxicity which was also “invisible” like PH is…and it was due to chemo related damage to my lungs

You can also get in touch with one of your state’s 2 federal senators for help. Every senator’s office has a liaison that assists constituents with government agency issues. Usually there is an online form to fill out. I had to resort to that when I moved from NY to AZ and there was an interruption in my SSDI payments being made.

January 5

Related Questions

View All

What exactly is the difference between PH and PAH?

A myPHteam Member asked a question 💭
Flushing, MI
May 13, 2023

My Perspective: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, My New Reality
Life Expectancy With PAH: 7 Factors You Should Know
Prostacyclin Drugs and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: 6 Facts To Know