Respiratory Impairments, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis: Social Security Disability

 

You may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if you have a respiratory impairment that has made it impossible for you to work for at least twelve consecutive months.

Categories of Respiratory System Impairments:

• Chornic Pulmonary Insufficiency
• Asthma
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Pneumoconiosis
• Bronchlectasis
• Mycobacterial, Mycotic, and Other Chronic Persistent Infections of the Lungs
• Cor Pulmonale secondary to Chornic Pulmonary Vascular Hypertension
• Sleep Related Breathing Disorders
• Lung Transplant

Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency

Claimants applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Insufficiency, due to any cause, are typically approved for Disability benefits if they have a forced expiratory volume (FEV) equal to or less than specific values predetermined by the Social Security Administration based on height listed below: Height Without Shoes,    FEV

Those with Chronic Restrictive Ventilatory Disease are also typically approved for Disability benefits if they have a forced vital capacity (FVC) equal to or less than the specific values predetermined by the Social Security Administration based on height listed below:

Height Without Shoes,  FVC

Those with Chronic Impairment of Gas Exchange due to clinically documented pulmonary disease are typically approved for Disability benefits if they have one of the following documented symptoms:

• Single breath diffusing capacity of lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) of less than 40 percent of the predicted normal value or less than 10.5 ml/min/mm Hg.
• Arterial blood gas values of PO2 and PCO2 simultaneously measured while at rest in a clinically stable condition on at least two occasions, at least three weeks apart within a consecutive six-month period. These values must be less than or equal to the values, predetermined by the Social Security Administration based on Arterial PO2 and PCO2 as well as the test site’s elevation in relation to sea level. Freedom Advocates will be happy to assist you in determining whether you qualify in terms of these requirements.
• Arterial blood gas values of PO2 and PCO2 simultaneously determined during steady state exercise breathing room air equal to or less than the values specified by the Social Security Administration.

If you feel you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits due to chronic pulmonary insufficiency,  contact Freedom Disability to get started on your application or to appeal a denied claim.   Back to respiratory impairments

Asthma

Claimants applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits who are unable to work for at least twelve consecutive months due to Asthma are typically approved when their condition includes at least one of the following symptoms:

Chronic Asthma Bronchitis. This condition is evaluated using the same criteria for Chronic Pulmonary Disease.

Height Without Shoes,  FEV

• 60 inches or less, 1.05
• 61-63 inches, 1.15
• 64-65 inches, 1.25
• 66-67 inches, 1.35
• 68-69 inches, 1.45
• 70-71 inches, 1.55
• 72 inches or more, 1.65

Attacks in spite of prescribed treatments, which require intervention by a physician. These attacks must occur at least once every two months or at least six times a year. Each attack that requires hospitalization counts as two attacks of less severity. The claimant should have documentation of attack frequency for a period of at least twelve consecutive months to be evaluated.

If you feel you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits due to Asthma,  contact Freedom Disability to get started on your application or to appeal a denied claim.  Back to respiratory impairments

 

Cystic Fibrosis

Claimants applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are typically approved when their Cystic Fibrosis includes the following symptoms:

At FEV less than or equal to specific requirements predetermined by the Social Security Administration

Height Without Shoes, FEV

• 60 inches or less, 1.45
• 61-62 inches, 1.55
• 63-64 inches, 1.65
• 65-66 inches, 1.75
• 67-68 inches, 1.85
• 69-70 inches, 1.95
• 71 inches or more, 2.05

Episodes of hemoptysis, pneumonia, bronchitis, or respiratory failure occurring at least once every two months or at least six times a year, and requiring physician intervention. Each episode that requires hospitalization for at least 24 hours counts as two episodes of lesser severity. Claimants should have documentation of episode frequency for a period of at least twelve consecutive months for evaluation.

If you feel you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits due to Cystic Fibrosis,  contact Freedom Disability to get started on your application or to appeal a denied claim.

Pneumoconiosis

Claimants applying for or appealing a previously denied application concerning Pneumoconiosis are typically approved when their condition prevents them from working any job for at least twelve consecutive months. The Social Security Administration uses the same criteria to evaluate Pneumoconiosis as Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiencies. If you feel you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits due to Pneumoconiosis,  contact Freedom Disability to get started on your application or to appeal a denied claim.  Back to respiratory impairments

Bronchlectasis

Claimants who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, or appeal a previous claim for Bronchlectasis are typically approved when their condition includes the following symptoms:

• Impairment of pulmonary function due to extensive disease
• Episodes of bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory failure or hemoptysis occurring at least once every two months or at least six times a year and requiring physician intervention. Each episode that requires hospitalization for at least 24 hours counts as two episodes of lesser severity. Claimants should have documentation of episode frequency for at least twelve consecutive months for evaluation. If you feel you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits due to Bronchiectasis, contact Freedom Disability to get started on your application or to appeal a denied claim.   Back to respiratory impairments

Mycobacterial, Mycotic and Other Chronic Persistent Lung Infections

Claimants with Mycobaterial, Mycotic and other Chronic Lung Infections are typically approved for SSDI benefits when their condition prevents them from working any job for at least twelve consecutive months. The Social Security Administration uses the same criteria to evaluate these conditions as Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiencies.  If you feel you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits,  contact Freedom Disability to get started on your application or to appeal a denied claim.   Back to respiratory impairments

Cor Pulmonale Secondary to Chronic Pulmonary Vascular Hypertension

Claimants applying for Social Security Disability who are impaired by Cor Pulmonale are typically approved with clinical evidence of the following:

• Mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than 40 mm Hg
• Arterial hypoxemia

If you feel you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, contact Freedom Disability to get started on your application or to appeal a denied claim.  Back to respiratory impairments

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

The Social Security Administration evaluates sleep-related breathing disorders using the same criteria as Cor Pulmonale:

• Mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than 40 mm Hg
• Arterial hypoxemia

If you feel you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits,  contact Freedom Disability to get started on your application or to appeal a denied claim.    Back to respiratory impairments

Lung Transplant

Claimants are considered under a disability for twelve months following their surgery. After that time has elapsed they will be re-evaluated to determine if the current effects of the surgery impacts their ability to work. Back to respiratory impairments

If you believe you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits call Freedom Disability Services and receive a free evaluation of your condition. Our Disability Advocates can help determine if your condition is likely to result in a successful SSDI application. If you do qualify, we can provide you with the assistance that you need to get the benefits that you deserve. If you have previously been denied benefits, but feel your condition makes you eligible, contact us today at (866) 761-5942.

The information on respiratory impairments provided here  is based on published materials from the Social Security Administration (“Disability Evaluation Under Social Security”). It is meant to serve as an introduction to some of the factors used by the SSA in evaluating cases. It is in no way comprehensive. While Freedom Disability can help you prepare an effective application for benefits, only the SSA can determine whether or not you qualify.

For more information contact  Freedom today at (866) 761-5942.