The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the Blue Book to determine the eligibility of a person’s disabling condition, and whether it is a serious enough condition to be considered as a complete disability. This set of guidelines has been divided into several sections that cover different body functions and systems. Respiratory system disorders are covered in the Blue Book’s third section.
When evaluating disability claims pertaining to breathing impairments and respiratory disorders, the SSA takes into account several things, including:
If you have filed a claim for receiving Social Security Disability benefits, it is important for you to continue getting treatment for your problem during the process, and follow all prescribed treatments.
Listings for Respiratory Disorders
People that satisfy the eligibility requirements of a disability listing as laid out in the Blue Book are automatically approved for receiving disability benefits. However, meeting the listing requirements for respiratory disorders can be difficult. Here are the three key listings available in the Blue Book for breathing problems:
Chronic Respiratory Disorders: Listing 3.02
The eligibility requirements for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be found under listing 3.02. In order to meeting the listing, you must take a spirometry test must show that the FEV1 value is equal or less than a certain amount, which varies with height of an individual.
The second part is for people suffering from chronic restrictive ventilatory disease, which causes the lung volume to decrease, to meet the listing requirements by taking a spirometry test. If the Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is equal to or less than to the amounts given in Table II of the listing, you will qualify for SSD benefits.
The third part is for people who have problems with the supply of oxygen from the lungs to their blood. Claimants are required to take a DLCO test, which measures the levels of PaO2 and PaCO2 in the bloodstream.
Since the guidelines laid out in listing 3.02 and its tables are technical, you may have to consult your doctor regarding the tests and their results to ensure you meet the requirements.
Asthma: Listing 3.03
The listing requirements for persistent asthma attacks include three times hospitalization due to symptomatic episodes in a year. The attacks must happen at least 30 days apart, despite following prescribed treatment, and the duration of each hospitalization must be at least 48 hours.
Cystic Fibrosis: Listing 3.04
Listing 3.04 has several options for meeting requirements for cystic fibrosis, such as requiring regular hospitalizations or having low value of FEV1 or having low SpO2 levels. Additionally, listing 3.04 also covers pneumonia, pneumoconiosis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, and other lung infections.
Understanding the guidelines of the Blue Book’s listings often times is difficult. If you want to make a claim for Social Security Disability benefits for respiratory disorder, you should talk to an experienced Social Security Disability attorney. Harold W. Conick & Associates Ltd has been successfully representing clients for over 30 years to get their rightful benefits. Contact us today at (800) 608-8881 to schedule a consultation with our Social Security disability attorney.