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Respiratory System Disorders
People with cardiac and pulmonary insufficiency may find that they cannot walk very far before they are out of breath and have to stop. All of their activities, including working and caring for themselves or their families, may be severely affected by their condition. If you have a serious respiratory impairment that prevents you from working at a substantial gainful activity level, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security Income (SSDI/SSI) benefits.
For help with the SSDI/SSI application or appeals process, contact Rubin Guttman & Associates, L.P.A. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the complexities of the initial application and represent you at hearings. We understand that living with a debilitating medical condition and worrying about your finances are stressful. We work hard to obtain the benefits our clients deserve. For information about your SSDI/SSI claim, please speak with one of our Cleveland lung and respiratory disease attorneys.
Critical Elements of the SSDI/SSI ApplicationDiseases on the Social Security Administration's (SSA) listing of impairments for the respiratory system include:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- Chronic restrictive ventilatory disease
- Pulmonary vascular disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Morbid obesity and its impact on the respiratory system
Chronic respiratory system disorders such as these can do irreversible damage to pulmonary function. Patients with these disorders may suffer from persistent coughing, wheezing, dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion, sputum production, hemoptysis (coughing up blood) and chest pain.
To prove that you have a disabling respiratory disorder, you may need to submit evidence of regular treatment, use of appropriate medications and documentation of your exertional limitations. You will also need to submit evidence and results from tests such as:
- Arterial blood gas tests
- Spirometry or other pulmonary function tests
- Exercise tests
- Chest X-rays
- Additional imaging tests
Your doctor must also document the disorder's effect on your ability to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will use the medical evidence to determine your residual functional capacity despite your impairment.
We will review your application or appeal to ensure you include the appropriate medical evidence. If test results or physician notes are missing, we will tell you how to get them.
Akron Asthma Disability AttorneysPlease call us at (216) 696-4006 or (888) 488-8529, or e-mail us to arrange a free initial consultation today. Russian, Hebrew and Spanish language services are available by appointment.
