Social Security Attorneys – COPD

Social Security Disability for COPD after COVID-19

Many people with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are still able to work at sedentary jobs that do not require exertion or increased lung function. Many accountants, architects, secretaries and even lawyers are able to work a full day at their desk, and manage their COPD with medication or in some cases oxygen. But, all this has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic.

COPD puts individuals at much higher risk to get seriously sick if they are infected with COVID-19. And, even after recovering from the coronavirus, the long-term consequences of COVID-19 may now make a person with COPD unable to work. In this case, they may be able to collect Social Security Disability benefits.

COPD, COVID-19 & Social Security Disability

About 80% of people recover fully from COVID-19 without medical treatment. But for individuals with pre-existing COPD, the coronavirus can lead to:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), (lungs with filled with fluid)
• Heart damage
• Shock that disrupts the circulatory system, preventing blood from reaching organs – causing permanent organ damage or death.
• Other long term health complications, including worsened COPD

If you or a loved one is unable to work due to COPD, whether aggravated by COVIiV-19 or not, you may be able to collect Social Security Disability benefits.

As with any injury or illness, in order to be considered “disabled” by Social Security, you must be able to prove that your COPD is severe enough to keep you from working for at least 12 months. When reviewing your case, the Social Security Administration will take into consideration your age, your education, and your past work when deciding whether you should be found disabled.

You must also have enough Social Security “work credits” to collect Social Security Disability for COPD, or any other condition. (Note: if you do not have enough work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability, you may still qualify for SSI.)

Two ways to prove that COPD qualifies you for Social Security Disability:

1. Meeting the Blue Book Listing Requirement
2. Through a “Medical Vocational Allowance”

#1. Meeting the COPD Blue Book Listing Requirements for Social Security Disability

The Social Security Administration will evaluate your COPD against the requirements in their “Blue Book” of medical conditions. COPD requirements are found in Section 3.02 of the Blue Book. If your medical condition “matches” this section of the blue Book, you will automatically be approved for benefits.

The Blue Book COPD Requirements for Social Security Disability are:

• a forced expiratory volume one (FEV1) that is equal to or lower to the minimum for your height, between 1.05 for those who are five feet and 1.65 or those who are six feet;
• a gas diffusion capacity (DLCO) of a single breath under 10.5 mil/min/mm Hg or a low amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood either during rest or exercise, as determined a low partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) and high partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2).

#2. Qualifying for Social Security Disability Without Meeting a Medical Listing

Keep in mind that even you don’t meet the Blue Book listing for COPD, there is another way to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits – if your conditions is severe enough. If you can prove that your COPD causes you to be unable to earn a minimum monthly income, you can still be approved for a medical-vocational allowance.

The Social Security Administration will figure out your “Residual Functioning Capacity” (RFC) by looking at your limitations, as well as your education and work history. Your RFC will take into consideration the type of work you know how to do, and if the physical activity of the work exacerbates your symptoms.

Applying for Social Security Disability for COPD

Unfortunately, many Social Security Disability applications are NOT approved in the initial claim stage. In fact two out of three initial Social Security Disability applications are denied. And, during COVID-19, with an expected huge increase in claims, the rejection rate is anticipated to go even higher!

For this reason it is important to discuss your case with an experienced Social Security Disability Attorney.

To prove that your COPD renders you unable to work, medical evidence should typically include:

• Spirometry results (how much air you can force out in an exhale), which includes your FEV1.
• Imaging tests, such as chest X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
• Arterial blood gas analysis, which show how well your lungs take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.
• Lung function tests, such as a Lung Diffusion Capacity test
• Detailed statement from your physicians describing your medical history, condition, symptoms, and limitations.
• Summaries of all related surgeries, hospitalizations, and treatments.

 Long Beach Social Security Lawyers – COPD | COVID-19

If you or a loved one is unable to work due to COPD, or if your COPD was made worse by COVID-19 infection, or if you suffer from any other  disabling injury, medical condition or disease our skilled and experienced lawyers are here to help. We will fight to get the maximum Social Security Disability benefits for which you qualify.

The Law Office of Cantrell Green is a group of highly qualified and experienced disability attorneys who have obtained millions of dollars in Social Security Disability benefits for thousands of clients in Long Beach, Orange County and the greater Los Angeles. Our lawyers care about every client, and fight tirelessly to obtain the benefits you deserve.

Social Security Disability Lawyer Consultation: 800-964-8047