Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is an inflammatory lung disease that blocks airflow to the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Approximately 16 million Americans suffer from this condition, which can make day-to-day life much more complicated. When dealing with breathing problems, it can be very taxing to meet the demand of a typical workday. For this reason, you should consider applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you are dealing with COPD.
According to the Social Security Association (SSA), an individual is considered disabled when they are unable to engage in full-time work and protective duties because of a physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for 12 months, or result in death. Although COPD is not typically thought of as a disability, elevated conditions of this disease are dangerous and can have long-lasting effects on the body. If the condition is severe enough, it could qualify an individual for SSDI.
To apply for disability benefits, you must provide enough medical evidence of the disease to show that it is severe enough to obstruct your work life. For example, it is advisable to include the following medical records when applying for SSDI on the basis of COPD:
Anyone in search of these records can reach out to their physicians for copies.
The SSA also uses a medical guide knows as the “Blue Book” to determine whether a condition is severe enough to warrant disability payments. Section 3.02D of the Blue Book explicitly outlines all requirements you must meet before you can be considered for SSDI benefits. You can also review further sections of the guide to evaluate any medical conditions resulting from COPD.
When evaluating Social Security disability claims for COPD, the SSA also considers how long the diagnosed condition has lasted, how long it is expected to last, whether it is expected to resolve or worsen, what kind(s) of treatment it requires, and the general response to current treatments.
For advice on how to expedite your SSDI claim for COPD, connect with a member of our diligent legal team. We can help you gather evidence to strengthen your disability claim and maximize your chances of approval.
Applying for disability benefits while dealing with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease may be stressful and overwhelming. With the assistance of an SSDI attorney, you can navigate the process with confidence and ease. Contact Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, today to learn more about SSDI for COPD.
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