Disability for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Is Pulmonary Fibrosis a Disability?

Pulmonary fibrosis is a respiratory condition in which the tissue of the lungs becomes inflamed and scarred. The signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis vary by individual, but commonly include shortness of breath. 

In addition to shortness of breath, other common symptoms include a persistent dry cough, fatigue, aching muscles, and unexplained weight loss. This progressive lung condition can make it impossible for you to work over time, which may entitle you to receive disability benefits. In such cases, you may want to think about filing a claim for Disability for Pulmonary Fibrosis. People with progressive diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis are likely to qualify without a great deal of hassle.

This is a chronic condition that compromises the elasticity of your lungs. The disorder scars and thickens the tissue deep within the lungs, making it difficult for the organs to function correctly. The organs gradually lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream resulting in shortness of breath.

As the condition worsens, bouts of breathlessness become more frequent and persistent. Other potential complications include high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs, heart failure, and lung cancer.

Several Factors Can Cause Damage and Scarring.

It is often difficult to pinpoint the disease’s precise cause in every individual. Some people become ill quickly, while others have moderate symptoms that worsen slowly over time. Once the damage occurs, it cannot be reversed. 

Oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and medications can alleviate some symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be required.

The condition’s risk factors include long-term exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants, such as silica dust and asbestos fibers. The disorder can also result from other medical diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia. Smoking and genetics may also play a role.

Disability for Pulmonary Fibrosis

The Social Security Administration recognizes that certain medical conditions make it difficult for people to sustain meaningful employment. As a result, the agency has implemented a Compassionate Allowances program. Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits.

Compassionate Allowances are typically for people who have a short life expectancy, like those with pulmonary fibrosis. While the condition does not have its own entry in the SSA’s listing of impairments, known as the “Blue Book,” but it is covered under Sections 3.00 Respiratory System and 3.02 Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency.

Although this streamlined program enables individuals to be automatically approved and receive benefits quicker, the process can still be cumbersome and time consuming if you are not familiar with disability law or the SSA’s disability claims process.

Filing for disability benefits requires medical documentation that clearly includes a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. The documents should also include a spirometer test result. A spirometer test measures the amount of air you are able to breathe in and out of your lungs, as well as how easily and fast the air can be expressed from your lungs.

Pulmonary fibrosis is covered under the Compassionate Allowance program but you still must provide the Social Security Administration with a complete and accurate disability benefits application.

Failure to provide any required information or documentation can result in a denial of your claim.

Does Pulmonary Fibrosis Qualify for Disability?

If you have been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, you should consider applying for disability benefits. Depending on your work history and income, you may wish to apply for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

You may qualify for the SSA’s Compassionate Allowance program if you have been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. There is no separate listing for pulmonary disease. Rather, it is captured among similar respiratory disorders under Section 3.00. Under this section, the SSA will evaluate respiratory disorders that result in obstruction or restriction, or that interfere with diffusion across cell membranes in the lungs.

The Social Security Administration evaluates the extent of your Disability for Pulmonary Fibrosis under the criteria of Section 3.02. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements based on that criteria, the Social Security Administration may alternatively evaluate your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). To do this, they will assess your functional capacity and ability to perform various work-related tasks.

You can get pulmonary fibrosis disability benefits if you are no longer able to work for 12 months or longer. You could also qualify if you cannot perform basic work-related activities because of your medical condition. 

Several factors can cause damage and scarring to the lungs. It is often difficult to pinpoint the disease’s precise cause in every individual. Some people become ill quickly, while others have moderate symptoms that worsen slowly over time. Once the damage occurs, it cannot be reversed.

Oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and medications can alleviate some symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be required.

Contact a Disability Attorney for Comprehensive Legal Assistance.

The best way to apply for benefits is to hire an experienced new york social security disability lawyers . Make sure your disability lawyer is familiar with the Social Security Disability Insurance application process and its intricacies. Our team is ready to assist you during this trying time.

We will ensure that all documentation is correct before submission, and that the entire process is handled correctly. This greatly increases the probability that an application will be granted the first time. If your claim has been denied, we can also handle the appeals process. We understand that time is of the essence and that these benefits may be necessary for you to remain financially independent.

To initiate the process of pulmonary fibrosis disability benefits application or to appeal a denial, contact our offices. Contact Chermol & Fishman, LLC, to schedule an appointment, and our legal team will review your case thoroughly. We will discuss all possible legal options and develop a complete application package in favor of your claim for pulmonary fibrosis disability benefits.