Benefits for Expenses Related to Emphysema

In the span of time between birth and death that we call life, many of us find ways to bring meaning to our time as mortal beings on Earth. Seldom do we imagine or desire for ourselves a serious malady that would hinder our ability to explore all that life has to offer.

Some disabilities can make life intolerable for those without proper support and treatment. One such condition is emphysema. The purpose of this blog is to inform those suffering from emphysema of the benefits and support available to help them cope with the condition.

An Overview of Emphysema

Before getting into the details of applying for Social Security benefits for emphysema, it is helpful to describe this particularly malady. Emphysema is a condition that causes shortness of breath. The air sacs in the lungs, which are called alveoli, become damaged, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream.

Emphysema is a chronic, progressive lung disease. An individual can have emphysema for several years without noticeable symptoms, but may gradually begin to notice shortness of breath.

The disease will eventually cause shortness of breath so bad that a person will struggle to breath even while at rest. Moreover, emphysema has no cure, meaning that Social Security benefits are more likely to be approved provided the condition is accurately demonstrated in the medical record.

You should consider applying for emphysema disability benefits if you have a diagnosis because the condition is likely to have lasted, or will last, for 12 or more months. Click here to get more information about emphysema disability benefits.

Emphysema is Considered a Disability

Emphysema is treated as a respiratory disorder in the SSA’s Blue Book. If you are an individual suffering from emphysema and have filed for SSDI or SSI benefits, the SSA will evaluate your case carefully to determine the physical limitations caused by the disease.

You should know that SSA considers emphysema under the chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder criteria. It is a good idea to speak with a doctor and undertake prescribed treatment for the condition.

Remember that having proper treatment notes and medical documentation form the backbone of your claim for benefits. Documentation should clearly explain your diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.

Shortness of breath while exerting pressure is one of the primary symptoms of emphysema. Emphysema will inevitably make it extraordinarily difficult to perform activities of daily living or to maintain gainful employment. Therefore, applying for SSDI or SSI benefits will be imperative to your financial security.

How to Support Your Claim for Social Security Benefits

The SSA administers two primary disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) and the Supplemental Security Income program. The SSDI program provides benefits to disabled individuals who are “insured” through payroll contributions to the federal Social Security fund.

These contributions are based on your earnings as required by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). The SSI program provides financial assistance to elderly, blind, and disabled people who have limited income and resources. The Federal Government funds SSI from general tax revenues.

The SSA’s disability benefit programs are plans through which a certain amount of money is paid to an individual with a diagnosed medical condition who can no longer maintain gainful employment because of impairment or disability caused by the medical condition. Emphysema makes it difficult for sufferers to breathe.

The inability to breathe is one such impairment sure to make working difficult or impossible. If you have a diagnosis of emphysema, it is important to apply for benefits sooner than later, as the decision process can be lengthy.

Proactively providing medical documentation of breathing test results and treatment can support a faster decision on a claim for disability benefits. You may need to complete confusing forms and prepare a significant amount of documentation for SSA’s claims adjudicators.

This can be a daunting yet crucial task. Any error or omission in the information provided to SSA can lead to an adverse decision. That is why it is helpful to have the assistance of someone with specialized knowledge in the field of SSA disability benefits.

Hiring a Social Security lawyer who has experience in the field of SSDI and SSI benefits is crucial. An experienced attorney will be able to help you sort through all of the paperwork to extract only what is relevant to your claim. They may suggest having specific tests completed before applying for benefits.

These tests may include CT scans with documentation of oxygen levels and flow rates. They may want to know what your FEV1, FVC levels, DLCO, ABG tests, and pulse oximetry are. An attorney experienced in Social Security disability claims will understand what these results mean because they are among the test results that SSA looks at when deciding your claim.

Emphysema Can Make Situations Worse

The ultimate outcome of an individual suffering from emphysema is difficulty breathing. Chronic shortness of breath will lead to needing multiple work breaks, even while speaking. Emphysema will contribute to fits of violent coughing, causing chest pain and exhaustion. These are just some of the many ways in which emphysema limits your ability to function normally in everyday life. Benefits like SSDI or SSI can provide financial security when you are no longer able to work.

Filing for Social Security Benefits.

Emphysema is not among the Blue Book’s listing of medical impairments; however, it has been addressed generally as a respiratory impairment. It is specifically considered under Section 3.02, as a Chronic Respiratory Disorder.

The SSA will assess your claim based on your ability (or inability) to perform normal, daily activities and perform work-related functions, such as lifting and pulling. An individual can only qualify for disability benefits if equipped with proper medical evidence. Applying for and supporting an application for disability benefits is time-consuming and complicated, especially when also dealing with a severe medical condition like emphysema. It will be helpful to hire an attorney.

If you or someone you know is suffering from emphysema, it is important to hire a knowledgeable attorney who can ease the burden of the application process and help to obtain a faster decision on your claim.

You can talk to a qualified Social Security Disability Lawyer at Berke Law Firm, P.A. and discuss your case. Our lawyers are determined and capable of providing extensive legal help.