Last Updated September 17, 2026
Conditions Center · Cardiovascular · Social Security Disability
Also called DVT, pulmonary embolism, PE, venous thromboembolism, VTE (DVT).
DVT or pulmonary embolism can support SSDI or SSI when chronic venous findings meet Listing 4.11, when PE causes listing-level lung or heart disease, when a clotting disorder meets 7.08, or when standing, lifting, and treatment limits rule out sustained work. One treated clot that resolved, or a blood-thinner prescription, is not an approval.
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
NHLBI describes DVT as a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. Pieces of clot can travel to the lungs as pulmonary embolism. Post-thrombotic syndrome can leave chronic swelling, pain, and skin changes. Risk factors include surgery, immobility, cancer, estrogen, and inherited thrombophilia. Treatment is typically anticoagulation; some people need IVC filters or thrombolysis.
Common symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Leg swelling, pain, or warmth during acute DVT
- Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or cough with PE
- Chronic heaviness, edema, or skin darkening after DVT
- Venous ulcers that heal slowly
- Bleeding complications from anticoagulation in some people
How can Deep Vein Thrombosis affect a person’s ability to work?
- Need to elevate the leg or limit prolonged standing and walking
- Absences for INR or other monitoring, imaging, and hospital care
- Lifting and travel limits while anticoagulation is unstable
- Reduced stamina after PE or with chronic lung-pressure elevation
- Infection or wound-care time if stasis ulcers are present
Does Social Security have a Listing for Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Social Security does not currently have a listing dedicated solely to Deep Vein Thrombosis. That does not mean a person cannot qualify. SSA may evaluate related manifestations under another listing or continue the sequential evaluation and assess residual functional capacity.
Acute DVT and PE are not dedicated listings. Listing 4.11 addresses chronic venous insufficiency of a lower extremity with incompetency or obstruction of the deep venous system plus specified brawny edema or stasis dermatitis with ulceration that meets the listing’s duration rules. Pulmonary embolism may lead to chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (3.09), other respiratory listings, or heart-failure Listing 4.02 when those independent criteria are met. Inherited or acquired clotting disorders with repeated hospitalizations may meet Listing 7.08. Anticoagulation by itself is not a listing.
SSA first establishes medically determinable venous thromboembolism. Listing 4.11 applies only to chronic deep-venous obstruction or incompetency with the listed edema or ulcer findings—not to a single acute DVT. If a hypercoagulable disorder causes repeated qualifying hospitalizations, 7.08 may apply. Otherwise RFC addresses standing, elevation, and PE residuals.
Can you qualify if you do not meet an SSA Listing?
Yes. Most DVT/PE claims that succeed without 4.11 or 7.08 do so through standing-and-stamina RFC.
What medical evidence may help document Deep Vein Thrombosis?
- Duplex ultrasound, CT pulmonary angiogram, or V/Q studies
- Hematology records if thrombophilia is diagnosed
- Serial examinations of edema, stasis dermatitis, and ulcers
- Anticoagulation logs and bleeding events
- Cardiology or pulmonary notes if CTEPH or right-heart strain is alleged
Testing, imaging, and laboratory studies
- Venous imaging of the deep system for 4.11’s obstruction/incompetency requirement
- D-dimer only as used clinically; it is not a listing
- Right-heart catheterization if 3.09 pulmonary hypertension is considered
Duration of anticoagulation, compression therapy, and ulcer care should be dated. An IVC filter is treatment, not a listing.
How SSA may evaluate residual functional capacity
Even without 4.11, inability to stand a full shift because of edema, or PE-related dyspnea, can drive RFC. Do not equate a resolved calf DVT with listing-level CVI.
Supported limits often reduce standing, walking, and climbing, and may require leg elevation. PE residuals may add environmental or exertional limits.
Common issues that can weaken a disability claim involving Deep Vein Thrombosis
Submitting only an ER ultrasound; alleging 4.11 without chronic skin or edema findings; or ignoring that anticoagulation is working and function has returned.
What may strengthen the medical documentation
Proof of deep-system obstruction, measurements of chronic edema or ulcers, and PE follow-up if lung disease is claimed.
Deep Vein Thrombosis and related medical conditions
- Blood Disorders — Adult Listing 7.00 covers hemolytic anemias (7.05), thrombosis and hemostasis (7.08), bone marrow failure (7.10), transplant (7.17), and repeated complications (7.18). A low hemoglobin on one lab is not an approval. Sickle cell has its own guide.
- Cancer — Cancer is evaluated under site- and type-specific listings in Chapter 13.00. A general cancer diagnosis is not one listing, and CAL status must be checked for the exact malignancy.
- Chronic Kidney Disease — Current Listing 6.00 includes separate pathways for ongoing dialysis, kidney transplant, impaired kidney function with complications, and repeated CKD hospitalizations.
- Congestive Heart Failure — Chronic heart failure can reduce exertional capacity and cause fluid buildup. Listing 4.02 requires the specific medical and functional findings in the current cardiovascular rules.
- Sickle Cell Disease — SSA evaluates sickle cell disease under Listing 7.05 as a hemolytic anemia. Specified crises, hospitalizations, or hemoglobin findings can meet the listing; other cases are decided on complications and RFC.
How Brock & Stout may help
We compare post-thrombotic findings with Listing 4.11, check 7.08 when a clotting disorder causes repeated hospitalizations, and develop standing RFC. Representation cannot guarantee approval.
Frequently asked questions
No current adult listing is titled DVT or pulmonary embolism. Chronic venous insufficiency may meet Listing 4.11. PE complications may meet respiratory or heart listings when those independent criteria are documented.
Anticoagulation is treatment, not a listing. SSA evaluates remaining swelling, ulcers, lung or heart complications, bleeding, and whether work can be sustained.
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Speak with a Social Security Disability attorney
If Deep Vein Thrombosis is affecting your ability to work, Brock & Stout can review the claim, look for missing medical evidence, and discuss next steps. We do not charge a fee for SSD representation unless we win.
This page is general educational information about Social Security Disability as of the date of this publication. It is not legal or medical advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee results. Eligibility depends on individual facts and current Social Security rules.
