Pneumoconiosis

Serving the Western United States

Pneumoconiosis and Social Security Disability Benefits

Pneumoconiosis, or Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis as it is commonly referred to, is a lung disease. The illness is a result of breathing in dust from coal, graphite, and various man-made carbons over extended periods of time. Symptoms of the condition include chronic cough and shortness of breath. As with most illnesses involving the lungs, it can cause others to arise fairly easily. Bronchitis, COPD, and various other serious lung conditions can come as a result.

The environment can play a huge role in hindering an individual and the activities they can partake in. Any areas with dust or anything of that nature being a constant presence can cause issues for the sufferer of pneumoconiosis.

Pneumoconiosis 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 3.06, then a strong claim may exist. The Listing is as follows;

3.06 Pneumoconiosis (demonstrated by appropriate imaging techniques). Evaluate under the appropriate criteria in 3.02.

3.02 Chronic pulmonary insufficiency

1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to any cause, with the FEV1 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.);
2. Chronic restrictive ventilatory 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.);
3. Chronic impairment of gas exchange due to clinically documented pulmonary disease. With:

1. Single breath DLCO (see 3.00Fl) less than 10.5 ml/min/mm Hg or less than 40 percent 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 then 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 consumption/kg/min or 5 METs) equal to or less than the values specified in the applicable table III‑A or III‑B or III‑C in 3.02 C2.