Can I Get Social Security Disability for Aortic Aneurysm?

Quick answer: An aortic aneurysm can qualify for Social Security disability (SSDI or SSI), but it depends on severity. Social Security’s cardiovascular listing for an aneurysm (Listing 4.10) is met only when there is an aortic dissection that is not controlled by prescribed treatment, shown on imaging. A small, stable, monitored aneurysm usually is not disabling by itself. Many people qualify instead through complications (such as heart failure) or a Residual Functional Capacity assessment and the medical-vocational “grids,” especially at age 50 or older. In 2026, you generally cannot be earning more than $1,690 per month and be found disabled.

4.10
The Blue Book listing for an aneurysm of the aorta or its major branches.

~10.9%
Share of SSDI awards from circulatory-system conditions (2023).

$1,690
2026 monthly earnings limit (SGA) tested first in every claim.

One clarification, because it is a common search: Social Security does not assign a percentage “disability rating” for an aortic aneurysm the way the VA does. For SSDI and SSI, the decision is all-or-nothing — you either meet the disability standard or you do not. See our overview of Social Security’s definition of disabled for how that works.

Does Social Security consider an aortic aneurysm disabling?

It can, when it is severe or has caused complications. An aortic aneurysm is evaluated under the cardiovascular system (Blue Book section 4.00). Circulatory-system conditions account for about 10.9% of awards to disabled workers — a substantial share, though smaller than musculoskeletal or cancer claims. But a diagnosis alone is never enough: you must show, with objective medical evidence, that your condition prevents you from doing substantial work for a continuous period of at least 12 months (or is expected to result in death).

Leading diagnostic groups (2023 SSDI awards)	Share
Musculoskeletal & connective tissue	34.0%
Cancer (neoplasms)	13.6%
Circulatory system (includes aortic aneurysm)	10.9%

Source: SSA, Annual Statistical Report on the SSDI Program, 2023 (awards to disabled workers by diagnostic group).

The medical listing: 4.10

Listing 4.10 covers an aneurysm of the aorta or its major branches, due to any cause (atherosclerosis, Marfan syndrome, trauma, and others), demonstrated by acceptable imaging, with a dissection that is not controlled by prescribed treatment. A dissection is considered “not controlled” when there is persistent chest pain from progression of the dissection, an increase in the size of the aneurysm, or compression of a branch of the aorta that supplies a vital organ.

Meets Listing 4.10	Does not meet 4.10 by itself
A dissection not controlled by treatment — persistent chest pain from progression, an enlarging aneurysm, or a compressed branch artery	A small, stable aneurysm being monitored with periodic imaging
Findings confirmed by acceptable imaging (CT angiography, MRI, ultrasound, or echocardiogram)	An unruptured, asymptomatic aneurysm controlled with medication and follow-up

Source: SSA Blue Book, 4.00 Cardiovascular System (listing 4.10; 4.00H6); 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Note: Social Security revised its cardiovascular listings effective October 30, 2026; the aneurysm criterion remains at 4.10 and still turns on a dissection not controlled by treatment.

What about the size of the aneurysm? Social Security’s listing does not approve or deny based on a specific diameter (for example, 4.5 cm or 5.5 cm). Size matters medically — and to your surgeon — but for the listing, what counts is whether there is a dissection not controlled by treatment. A large aneurysm that is stable and monitored may still not meet the listing on its own.

Other ways an aortic aneurysm can qualify

Most aneurysm claims do not meet 4.10 — but that is not the end of the road. Social Security continues through its five-step process and can approve a claim in several other ways:

Pathway	How it works
Complications	If the aneurysm has caused chronic heart failure (4.02) or ischemic heart disease (4.04), those are evaluated under their own listings.
Recovery from surgery	After a major open repair, Social Security can find you disabled for a recovery period if it is expected to keep you from working for 12 continuous months.
RFC + the “grids”	Your Residual Functional Capacity is weighed against your past work, age, and education. Limits to lighter work often lead to approval at age 50+.

Age category	Age	Effect on the grid rules
Younger individual	Under 50	Harder to win on the grids alone; usually must meet a listing or show very limited capacity.
Closely approaching advanced age	50–54	Often approved if limited to sedentary work with no transferable skills.
Advanced age	55+	More favorable still — often approved if limited to light work.

Source: SSA Blue Book 4.00 (4.00H6); 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2 (Medical-Vocational Guidelines).

Is an aortic aneurysm a Compassionate Allowance?

No. Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection are not on Social Security’s Compassionate Allowances list, so they do not qualify for the expedited processing that some rapidly-fatal conditions receive. Your claim follows the standard evaluation — which makes strong, well-organized medical evidence especially important.

Evidence that decides an aortic aneurysm claim

Evidence	Why it matters
Imaging	CT angiography, MRI/MRA, ultrasound, or echocardiogram documenting the aneurysm and any dissection — required to satisfy the listing.
Serial / longitudinal records	Repeat imaging and notes showing progression, enlargement, persistent chest pain, or that treatment is not controlling the dissection.
Treating-source records	Cardiology and surgical notes describing your symptoms, restrictions, and functional limits over time.

How common are aortic aneurysms?

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are found in roughly 4% to 8% of older men in screening studies, and are far more common in men than women. The biggest risk factors are age, male sex, high blood pressure, and smoking — smoking is linked to about three-quarters of all abdominal aortic aneurysms. When an aneurysm ruptures it is frequently fatal, which is why the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a one-time ultrasound screening for men aged 65–75 who have ever smoked. In 2019, aortic aneurysm and dissection were linked to about 9,900 deaths in the United States.

Source: CDC, Aortic Aneurysm (2019 data); U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, AAA Screening (2019); NIH.

Frequently asked questions

Is an unruptured aortic aneurysm a disability?
Usually not by itself. A stable, monitored, unruptured aneurysm generally does not meet Listing 4.10, which requires a dissection not controlled by treatment. You would need to qualify through complications or a functional (RFC-based) approval.

Does the size of the aneurysm determine whether I qualify?
Not for Social Security’s listing. There is no set diameter that automatically qualifies or disqualifies you — the listing turns on a dissection not controlled by treatment, not on centimeters.

Can I work with an aortic aneurysm and still get benefits?
Generally, if you earn more than $1,690 per month in 2026 (substantial gainful activity), Social Security will find you not disabled at the first step, regardless of your imaging.

I had surgery to repair my aneurysm — can I get disability?
Possibly, for a recovery period, if it is expected to keep you from working for at least 12 months, or if complications persist. A full recovery within a year usually will not meet the duration requirement.

Aortic aneurysm claims turn on the details — whether there is a dissection not controlled by treatment, what your imaging shows over time, and how any limitations map onto the RFC and grid rules. If your claim was denied, you generally have 60 days to appeal. Quikaid can review your aortic aneurysm claim, gather the cardiology and imaging evidence Social Security looks for, and represent you through the process and any appeals — with no fee unless you win benefits.

Figures reflect Social Security Administration data current as of 2026: the 2026 SGA limit ($1,690 non-blind); cardiovascular Listing 4.10; and the 2023 Annual Statistical Report. Sources: SSA Blue Book 4.00 Cardiovascular System (ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/4.00-Cardiovascular-Adult.htm); Federal Register, Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Cardiovascular Disorders (eff. Oct 30, 2026); SSA SGA table (ssa.gov/oact/cola/sga.html); SSA Annual Statistical Report on the SSDI Program, 2023; 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendices 1 and 2; CDC and USPSTF.

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