Filing For SSDI Benefits For COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, is a condition resulting in the persistent obstruction of the airways occurring with diseases such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.  COPD disables many people, it is second in numbers only to heart disease in terms of causing conditions where people are forced to stop working and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.  COPD is basically a chronic airflow obstruction condition which causes persistent decrease in the rate of airflow in through the lungs when the person exhales and this can be related to emphysema or bronchitis or other lung conditions such as severe asthma.

Documenting COPD diagnosis for Social Security

Assuming that an applicant meets all other requirements to participate in the Social Security Disability Insurance program, in submitting their application for benefits based on a claim of a COPD disability the applicant will need to include medical evidence supporting the COPD diagnosis.  In mild or early stage COPD the chest x-rays may be negative but as the disease worsens there will be notable lung overinflation and decreased shadows of blood vessels suggesting emphysema.  Doctors can also test for and evaluate lung airflow obstruction with forced expiratory spirometry.  Decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second, (FEV) and the ratio of the FEV to the forced vital capacity (FVC) are required to demonstrate airflow obstruction and to validly make the diagnosis.  Blood tests will also show abnormally high levels of red blood cells, polycythemia.

Supporting Severity of COPD Impairments

The impairments caused by COPD can range from mild to extremely severe and life threatening.  In order to be approved for disability benefits an applicant must show that his disability is severe enough in nature to impair his ability to engage in gainful employment.  Some people find that stopping smoking will improve symptoms of mild or moderate COPD such that they are able to work.  Other people with advanced COPD are clearly unable to work and must use long term oxygen therapy to maintain normal oxygen levels in the general blood stream. 

Getting Legal Help

If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with COPD and would like to look into the possibility of receiving disability benefits with the Social Security Disability Insurance program then it would be important to contact a disability lawyer to discuss the circumstances of the diagnosis and the disabling effects of the condition on the ability to engage in gainful employment.  An attorney can assist with submitting the application for disability benefits and with collecting the required medical documentation needed to evidence the diagnosis.