Husband suffered Aortic Dissection

Hi folks,

My husband, out of nowhere, had an undiagnosed aneurism burst and his aorta dissected. This was last Thanksgiving. He's an electrician and was on the job site when it happened. Believe it or not he didn't seek any treatment for 5 days before we finally went to the ER and he was rushed off for open heart surgery which resulted with the installation of a mechanical heart valve.
He's on all types of daily meds now for blood pressure regulation, cholesterol and blood thinners. He's 43.

He was not brought back to work by the company, who effectively parted ways with him following his on the job stroke. He attempted to get a new job and found work doing fulfillment of shipping orders for a local hockey supplier. He was hired under the table and did such a good job that first week that on his first Friday he was offered a raise and to go on the books, but the night before he had slipped on a slippery, wet garage floor and twisted his back badly. He was able to get through that Friday, but was in so much pain that he didn't make it back. He ultimately got diagnosed with slipped lumbar disc L4-S1. He almost had surgery but went for injections. He's got drop foot now as a result of this. Needless to say, he didn't get back to work at the warehouse and has been discouraged and unsuccessful finding other work. He feels done as electrician which is his trade since he's started apprenticing for his dad at 11. After his aorta I encouraged him to file for SSDI but he didn't want to. He finally broke down and went to start the process this week.

Does anyone have experience with this type of illness and how it's viewed for disability?

The lady said we are looking at at least 6 to 10 months for a decision and I realize lots of people are denied on the first try, but I feel like his heart and aortic dissection could also be "in the book" and reviewed for award on the first go. Generally 1 in 5 people who have their aorta dissect die and he's been told he's lucky to still be alive.

Just looking for some general feedback.