Social Security Disability Conditions – Respiratory System
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD)
Is a payroll-funded program to supplement the income of those unable to work due to disability.
General Qualifications for SSD Eligibility
For you to be eligible for SSD, your disability must last for at least a year or be terminal. You must also be under age 65 to be eligible, as 65 is normally the age of Medicare eligibility.
To be eligible for SSD, you must have accumulated a prescribed number of Social Security credits (normally accumulated through work experience and payment into Social Security) during the 10 years immediately preceding disability.
Requirements vary according to age, and if you suffer disability before age 23 you may be able to draw on your parents’ Social Security credits without affecting your parents’ eligibility for SSD.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a lung ailment that limits airflow. Forms of COPD include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms of COPD often include wet coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and tightness of the chest.
Gainful employment can be difficult if you are suffering from COPD. As a result, the Social Security Administration recognizes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as a qualifying condition for SSD.
If you meet the general qualifications for SSD eligibility and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease makes it impossible for you to engage in substantial gainful activity, you may qualify for SSD benefits based on your disability.
To establish that you have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, you will need to present evidence based on your medical history, a thorough medical examination, and a chest x-ray or other appropriate imaging technique. Further testing may be required in order to determine the severity of your condition. You may also need to submit evidence of your inability to perform basic work-related activities such as walking, lifting, and following instructions.
For further information about disability conditions relating to COPD and other diseases of the respiratory system, click here.
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Social Security Disability Conditions