Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder

Serving the Western United States

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is one of the most common lung diseases. This illness is actually the result of the combination of two separate but very similar illnesses, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The symptoms of COPD are cough, fatigue, wheezing, respiratory infections, and shortness of breath. COPD symptoms develop slowly, so a person may not even know they are sick until these symptoms become more severe.

Any person suffering from COPD will have trouble dealing with working environments laden with dust, smoke, or fumes. Also, fatigue caused by inability to catch their will not allow these individuals to work.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits Help

If the applicant’s impairment falls within any of the following categories set forth by Social Security’s Listing 3.02, then a strong claim may exist. The Listing is as follows;

A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, due to any cause, with the FEV equal to or less than the values specified in table I corresponding to the person’s height without shoes. (In cases of marked spinal deformity, see 3.00E.); or

B. Chronic restrictive ventilator disease, due to any cause, with the FVC equal to or less than the values specified in Table II corresponding to the person’s height without shoes. (In cases of marked spinal deformity, see 3.00E.); or

C. Chronic impairment of gas exchange due to clinically documented pulmonary disease.

With:

1. Single breath DLCO (see 3.00f1) less than 10.5 ml/min/mm Hg or less than 40% of the predicted normal value. (Predicted values must either be based on data obtained at the test site or published values from a laboratory using the same technique as the test site. The source of the predicted values should be reported.  If they are not published, they should be submitted in the form of a table or nomogram); or
2. Arterial blood gas values of PO₂ and simultaneously determined PCO₂ measured while at rest (breathing room air, awake and sitting or standing) in a clinically stable condition on at least two occasions, three or more weeks apart within a 6-month period, equal to or less than the values specified in the applicable Table III-A or III-B or III-C:
3.  Arterial blood gas values of PO₂ and simultaneously determined PCO₂ during steady state exercise breathing room air (level of exercise equivalent to or less than 17.5 ml O₂ consumptionkgmin or 5 METs) equal to or less than the values specified in the applicable table III-A or III-B or III-C in 3.02C2

Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease have a lot of trouble breathing, which can limit them at work. If this issue is so severe that an applicant cannot walk or do anything physical, then there is a chance to prevail.

To increase your chances of winning your Social Security Disability claim it is important for you to hire an experienced Social Security Disability attorney to get you the Social Security Disability help you deserve. Please call us today at 1-800-882-5500 or fill out a form on our website for a FREE claim evaluation.