Top Five Social Security Disability Respiratory Conditions

A disability is a life-changing event. Everyday activities, like going to work or school, become impossible. Sometimes, a respiratory disability is sudden and unexpected. Other times, the disabling condition occurs over time, becoming progressively worse. Life-changing benefits are available in these cases as well. These benefits usually include monthly cash that supplements lost income and Medicaid membership. Other benefits could include housing and utility bill payment assistance.

These benefits are available, but the Social Security Administration doesn’t give them away. In fact, SSA lawyers often bitterly dispute the facts in these cases. Furthermore, they drag out the process as long as possible, hoping that applicants lose heart and drop their cases. So, a Tampa Social Security Disability lawyer must be an advocate and a cheerleader. A lawyer must evaluate a case, diligently present that case, and remind applicants that they’re with them until the end of the line.

CPH

Chronic pulmonary hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure of the blood vessels of the lungs. If pulmonary hypertension is not adequately treated, it can eventually result in partial heart failure.

Blood usually flows easily through blood vessels in the lungs to the left side of the heart. These blood vessels are the pulmonary arteries, capillaries and veins. Changes in the cells that line the lung arteries can cause the artery walls to become narrow, stiff, swollen and thick. These changes may slow down or stop blood flow through the lungs, causing pulmonary hypertension.

Asthma

People who suffer from this chronic inflammatory disorder of the lung airways are usually entitled to benefits if they have respiratory failure resulting from chronic asthma. The SSA requires proof that the applicant has a high-level airflow obstruction at baseline while you are medically stable, which doctors believe will continue for at least a year.

The onset date is often critical for a Tampa Social Security Disability lawyer in these cases. Usually, asthma becomes disabling after a period of months or years after diagnosis. According to the SSA, the onset date is no later than the admission date of your first of three hospitalizations that satisfy the SSA’s criteria.

Cystic Fibrosis

This genetic disorder results in abnormal salt and water transport across cell membranes in the lungs, pancreas, and other body organs. Proof of disability includes:

• A positive newborn screen for CF, or
• A history of CF in a sibling, or
• Documentation of at least one specific CF phenotype or clinical criterion, and
• A supporting laboratory test.

Exacerbations could increase the amount of benefits. CF pulmonary exacerbations include increased cough and sputum production, hemoptysis, increased shortness of breath, increased fatigue, and reduction in pulmonary function. CF may also affect other body systems such as digestive or endocrine. If your CF, including pulmonary exacerbations and nonpulmonary complications, does not meet or medically equal a respiratory disorders listing, we may evaluate your CF-related impairments under the listings in the affected body system.

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disorder that is characterized by abnormal and irreversible dilatation (enlargement) of the airways below the trachea, which may be associated with the accumulation of mucus, bacterial infections, and eventual airway scarring.

The SSA uses imaging tests to document this disorder. It evaluates your bronchiectasis if you are having exacerbations or complications (for example, acute bacterial infections, increased shortness of breath, or coughing up blood) that require hospitalization.

Lung Transplant

A standalone lung transplant, or a lung transplant when combined with another surgical procedure, is disabling for three years from the date of the transplant. After that, the agency evaluates your residual impairment by considering the adequacy of your post-transplant function, the frequency and severity of any rejection episodes you have, complications in other body systems, and adverse treatment effects.

Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure is the inability of the lungs to perform their basic function of gas exchange. The failure must be complete. Continuous positive airway pressure is insufficient, and cannot be substituted as an equivalent finding.

 Reach Out to a Dedicated Hillsborough County Lawyer 

Injury victims are entitled to important financial benefits. For a confidential consultation with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer in Tampa, contact Kobal Law. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.

Source:

usa.gov/social-security-disability