For example, you may not be able to walk more than 500 feet before you feel short of breath and must rest. The RFC will indicate any restrictions and limitations so DDS can get a clear picture of what you can and cannot do. The RFC form is very detailed, and if your treating physician fills one out and it can be beneficial to your disability claim. Disability Determination Services will complete an RFC by reviewing the details of your medical records and other evidence and supporting documentation. Using this approach, you will use a residual functional capacity form. Many claimants gain approval through a medical vocational allowance. Įven if you cannot meet the listing criteria, you may still be approved for disability benefits using another approach. The Blue Book is the medical guide used by the Social Security Administration. You may unable to work because of COPD, but you may not meet the criteria of the listing in the Blue Book.
#VISUAL ASSIST CLAIMS HOW TO#
Recommended Reading: How To Get A Disability Rating Qualifying For Copd When You Dont Meet The Listing You will also need to prove to the SSA that you have been experiencing the required symptoms for 12 consecutive months, via medical records showing hospitalizations, treatments you received and testimony from your doctor in regards to your compliance towards treatment for asthma. The disability requirements stipulate that you must measure how much air you are able to force out in one second. This kind of test measures how much air you breathe both in and out and the rate at which you breathe. You will have to undergo a spirometry test in order to prove that you have chronic asthmatic bronchitis and meet the listing requirements for asthma. If just one of these tests shows a severe limitation in lung function, then you may be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. There are a couple of pulmonary function tests that can help show the severity of your COPD. The results from this test can help show the SSA that your COPD is severe enough that it will force you to be out of work for at least 12 months. Pulmonary function tests are noninvasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. Read Also: How Do You Qualify For Disability Pulmonary Function Tests And Social Security Disability You only have 60 days to file an appeal for a denied disability claim. The Disability attorneys at McDonald Law Firm frequently get the government to reverse an unfavorable decision and award clients the Disability benefits theyve earned. You actually have a better chance of winning on appeal. Most claims for Disability for COPD are initially denied. Denied Disability For Copd Dont Throw In The Towel The most common therapy is a CPAP machine, which pumps a steady stream of air into a mask to keep the airways unobstructed during sleep. Sleep apnea is diagnosed based on a combination of self-reported symptoms and objective testing, typically a sleep study. Many of those diagnosed with COPD also suffer from sleep apnea, a condition which not only impacts the ability to obtain meaningful rest but can also severely impair daytime functioning. Asthma can be partly diagnosed by a pre-bronchodilator and post-bronchodilator spirometry test, but a doctor must also look at the patient’s medical history and physical exam. The most common cause of COPD is smoking, and quitting smoking will usually stabilize symptoms, if not always improve them.ĬOPD is typically diagnosed through spirometry, a pulmonary function test that measures the amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled over a certain period. Those with COPD exhibit reduced breathing capacity due to obstructed airflow into and out of the lungs. Common Respiratory Disorders That May Cause DisabilityĬOPD is an umbrella term that includes several lung diseases, including emphysema, bronchitis, and sometimes asthma, which cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. This rules states that a person of advanced age who is skilled or semi-skilled with transferable skills but limited education is considered not disabled if their COPD symptoms are not severe enough to prevent them from working.