- Michael Burry
- Jun 11, 2025
POTS affects an estimated 1 to 3 million people in the United States, predominantly young women. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that POTS can qualify as a disability if symptoms severely limit daily activities and work ability. Proper diagnosis, medical evidence, and documentation are crucial to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can potentially qualify as a disability if you meet the criteria listed under the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book Listing and satisfy the disability definition.
What is POTS Disability?
POTS stands for “Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome”. It is a type of dysautonomia, which is a medical condition that affects the autonomic nervous system. People with POTS experience a rapid heart rate and other symptoms when they stand up or change positions from sitting or lying down.
POTS Disability Symptoms
POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) can cause a wide range of symptoms that can vary in severity from person to person. Some of the most common POTS disability symptoms include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing up or changing positions
- Fainting or near-fainting episodes
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches or migraines
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or weakness
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Tremors or shaking
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Cold or clammy skin
- Blurred vision or visual disturbances
Types of POTS Explained
There are several different types of POTS that are classified based on their underlying cause or associated medical condition. Some of the most common types of POTS include:
- Primary
- Secondary
- Neuropathic
- Hyperadrenergic
- Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST)
Each type of POTS can have slightly different symptoms, triggers, and treatment options. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to identify the specific type of POTS and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Can you get disability benefits for POTS?
Whether POTS qualifies as a disability depends on the severity of the symptoms and the impact they have on the individual’s ability to carry out daily activities, including work, school, or other tasks. The severity of symptoms and their impact on daily life are key factors that may qualify you for disability.
In some cases, POTS can be disabling, and individuals with severe symptoms may be eligible for POTS Social Security disability benefits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Social Security Administration (SSA). POTS qualify for disability benefits if the applicant meets the SSA's criteria for getting disability, which often requires substantial medical and occupational documentation.
Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies for POTS
Step-by-Step guide to getting diagnosed with POTS
If you get diagnosed with POTS and your symptoms overlap with other medical conditions, there may not be a single test to diagnose the disorder. To diagnose with POTS, you need to follow some steps:
1. Initial Consultation: Initial consultation involves symptoms review by a healthcare provider who will discuss your symptoms. Then, they will review your health history, and then they may perform a physical exam to check for symptoms that may suggest you are experiencing POTS or any other condition.
2. Cardiovascular Evaluation: One of the key features of POTS is how your heart rate and blood pressure respond to changes in your posture.
3. The Tilt Table Test: The tilt table test refers to a gold standard diagnostic test for POTS disability. In this test, you are strapped to a table that will tilt you upright while your blood pressure, heart rate, and other important signs are being monitored. A tilt table test cardiovascular assessment and evaluation FCE tilt table can provide objective evidence for disability claims.
Your doctor will monitor if your heart rate is abnormally increasing when you stand without a corresponding drop in blood pressure. One of the indicative features of POTS is that your heart rate increases by more than 30 beats per minute within 10 minutes of standing.
4. Additional Diagnostic Tests (if required): Some additional blood tests that may assess how your autonomic nervous system is functioning are the Valsalva maneuver, heart rate fluctuations, blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), and cold pressor tests. Test cardiovascular stress tests, such as the tilt table test and other table test cardiovascular stress assessments, are also used to evaluate the severity of POTS and support disability claims.
The Crucial Role of Tilt Table Test and Other Diagnostic Tests
The tilt table test is helpful in monitoring if you meet the POTS disability criteria. If you experience rapid heart rate without a significant drop in blood pressure, then it is indicative of POTS. The tilt table test is important and it is combined with other tests to give an accurate diagnosis. Some other tests such as ECG and autonomic function tests help to rule out conditions to analyze the severity of POTS.
Additionally, a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) and FCE tilt table test are often used to objectively assess the impact of POTS on physical functioning. A capacity evaluation FCE tilt can help document limitations for disability claims by providing medical evidence of how POTS affects your ability to perform daily activities and work-related tasks.
Navigating disability with POTS: Know your rights and Options
As POTS does not have a specific listing in the Blue Book of the SSA, two sections that may include this kind of disorder are Neurological – Section 11.00, and Digestive System – Section 5.00. The SSA defines POTS as a form of dysautonomia that affects the autonomic nervous system, and nervous system POTS would be considered under neurological disorders.
POTS is a nervous system disorder though it does not have a specific listing. The SSA will analyze the applicant if they are physically unable to do work. Therefore, if you have medical records and your symptoms are severe it will help to seek POTS disability benefits.
The disability of dysautonomia is not listed in the Compassionate Allowances Condition which suggests that disorders under this category will not be listed in automatic approval. They will be evaluated based on disability criteria and severity of symptoms. While POTS does not appear in the Blue Book, having another condition that appears in the Blue Book can strengthen your disability claim.
In general, to qualify for disability for POTS, an individual must provide evidence of the following:
- A diagnosis of POTS from a qualified medical professional
- Medical evidence of a persistent increase in heart rate of 30 beats per minute or more within ten minutes of standing up, or a heart rate that exceeds 120 beats per minute
- Medical evidence of a drop in blood pressure within three minutes of standing up
- Evidence of symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness that significantly affect the individual’s ability to work
If POTS meets the criteria for disability and you provide sufficient medical evidence, your claim is more likely to be approved. Understanding social security benefits and the application process is important when applying for disability with POTS.
Questions To Ask Yourself Before Applying
You must ask yourself questions before you move forward with your POTS disability application. You may qualify for the benefits if your answer to the following questions is yes.
- Are you consulting a specialist for your POTS?
- Do you have evidence of your diagnosis and symptoms of POTS?
- Have I undergone any tests such as tilt tests, neuropsychological tests, or any other cardiovascular tests?
- Are you experiencing disorganization of motor functions?
- Are you struggling with other autoimmune disorders?
Before applying, it is also important to get an honest assessment of your chances of qualifying for disability.
What To Do If Your POTS Meets The Eligibility Criteria Of SSA?
If your POTS meet the SSA’s criteria, you must begin with your application procedure as soon as possible. This is because the Social Security Disability Benefits process is complex and may take time. You must follow the guidelines mentioned below such as:
- You must apply now if you have been diagnosed with POTS and have medical documentation. Furthermore, your symptoms are worsening even with regular treatment.
- You must consider waiting and applying later if your symptoms are improving with regular treatment and you can do work despite struggling with POTS.
- You must not apply if you are working and earning above $1,550 per month
What To Do If Your POTS Does Not Meet The Eligibility Criteria Of SSA?
If you do not meet the criteria mentioned above, you can still apply for the benefits by keeping one thing in mind you have to be honest with your application form.
In many cases, the application form in the initial phase gets denied. You must not get discouraged and consider taking help from an attorney who has experience in handling POTS disease disability cases. Working with an experienced attorney can help you win benefits, as they know how to maximize your chances of successfully securing the disability payments you deserve.
What Type Of Benefits Should I Apply For?
There are two fundamental types of government programs that you can apply for:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Insurance Income (SSI)
The applicants will be provided health insurance such as Medicare for SSDI and Medicaid for SSI. SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is beneficial for people who haven’t worked at all and have low assets and income. SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, is beneficial for people who have worked and paid taxes for at least 10 full years or more.
How Much Is a Disability Check For POTS?
The average monthly Social Security disability check for disorders associated with POTS was $1,550.43. However, the maximum benefit amount for POTS is $3,822 per month for SSDI and $914 per month for SSI in the year 2024.
Want To File a Disability Claim For POTS? Consult a Disability Law Firm
It is important to note that the application process for POTS disability benefits can be complex, and it may be helpful to consult with an experienced Social Security disability attorney to help with the process. They will help you to appeal in case your initial application gets rejected and will help in seeking the benefits.