Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease (“PAD”) is a circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs. According to the Mayo Clinic, the lack of blood flow causes pain, numbness and cramping that is triggered by activity. And according to the American Heart Association, people with diabetes are especially at high risk for PAD. 

Diabetes induced PAD creates a Catch-22. Elevating the legs is advised for diabetics who have painful or swollen feet. However, elevating the legs can exacerbate leg pain for PADS patients. I represent a claimant with diabetes induced PAD whose Social Security Disability (“SSD”) case was approved today in large part because of the Catch-22. 

While my claimant had an extensive work history, the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) wanted to know primarily why the claimant could not work. I explained that the claimant’s legs and feet were always painful. Her endocrinologist wanted the claimant to elevate her feet when sitting, which the vocational expert said precluded work. The claimant’s cardiologist wanted the claimant to rest because of the PAD, but noted that elevating her legs could cause pain, and in fact, the claimant’s leg pain was worse when lying down at night, resulting in very poor sleep. The ALJ noted the sleep deprivation provided additional grounds that supported the claimant being off task and unable to work. 

 The claimant was referred to me by her husband, who was a previous client of mine, and whose claim was also approved. As he was happy with the outcome of his claim, it was an obvious decision to refer his wife to me, and he knew that my expertise as a Social Security Disability attorney would produce the same outcome for his wife. My Long Island office in Nassau County was also convenient for him and his wife, although because of their disabilities, we were able to accommodate their not having to visit the office in person.