Social Security Administration (SSA) offers disability benefits for a number of conditions. Many of these conditions, regarded as a disability by SSA, are defined in the agency’s famous Blue Book. If you suffer from a condition that is listed in the Blue Book, it is typically easier to seek disability benefits. However, you may still be able to qualify for benefits if your disability is not listed in the book. In such a case, you will need to produce additional medical evidence to support your claim.
One of the conditions listed in the Blue Book is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD. This condition essentially prevents you from breathing normally due to complications in the lungs and related areas of the body.
COPD is a fairly common condition and millions of Americans suffer from it. It has a direct impact on your quality of life. This is why it is important to seek disability benefits if you suffer from COPD.
Symptoms of COPD
A wide range of symptoms characterize COPD. The more severe of its symptoms effectively prevent a person from taking up a regular job. Here is a look at some of the most common symptoms of this condition
Constant Coughing: If you suffer from COPD, you may experience constant cutting. This may prevent you from taking up normal everyday activities.
Fatigue or dizziness: One of the key symptoms of COPD is fatigue, dizziness, or a feeling of fainting. You may particularly experience these symptoms when you undertake physically exacting tasks. You may also run out of breath when performing such tasks.
Respiratory issues: COPD sufferers tend to develop respiratory issues quite frequently. These may range from mild infections to severe issues requiring hospitalization.
Fever: Another telltale symptom of COPD is fever. If you frequently suffer from fever, coupled with coughing or shortness of breath, you may be a COPD victim.
Weight loss: Weight loss is often caused as a result of other symptoms of COPD.
The symptoms listed above can significantly impact your quality of life. In most case, they prevent a person from taking up meaningful employment and earn a minimum wage. The disability benefits offered by SSA to people who suffer from COPD can thus be very helpful.
SSA’s requirements for COPD Applicants
SSA has defined various requirements that must be fulfilled in order for your condition to be qualified as COPD. It is only after meeting these requirements that you can qualify for the disability benefits offered by SSA.
The blue book maintained by SSA lists COPD in section 3.02, a section dedicated to chronic respiratory disorders. This sections details the symptoms and signs in detail which SSA will consider when assessing your COPD.
When applying for disability benefits as a COPD patient, it is best to append the relevant medical evidence to your application. This includes various tests that may substantiate your claim. Test that may be relevant include Pulmonary Function tests, Spirometry tests, ABG tests, ECG, Echocardiogram, Stress tests and plethysmography test.
Other requirements you must meet when applying for disability benefits as a COPD victim include at least one of the following:
- Prove that your forced expiratory volume one is equal or lower to the minimum of your height. For people who are five feet high, this figure is 1.05, and for those who are six feet high, the figure is 1.65.
- A gas diffusion capacity of under 10.5/mil/min/mm Hg for a single breath on a chronic basis.
- Low blood oxygen amount during rest or exercise.
Even when you suffer from COPD, demonstrating your symptoms with medical evidence can be hard. This is where a good disability benefits attorney on your side can be immensely helpful. With a good attorney, you have a much better chance of having your application approved in the first go.
Finding Reliable Disability Lawyers in Greenville SC
If you live in Greenville, SC and want to apply for disability benefits based on your COPD, we can help you. Here at Robert Surface Law Firm, we specialize in helping applicants get the disability benefits they deserve. We understand that your COPD may prevent you from making ends meet. This is why we closely work with you file your application and have your benefits approved in the briefest time possible.
Our attorneys guide you through the complicated application process. We also help you in appealing a claim rejection by the SSA. Contact us today to book a FREE consultation with our attorneys.
