Asthma, COPD And Other Breathing Disorders
Serious breathing problems can make it difficult to work. Tightness in the chest, an inability to fully expand your lungs, shortness of breath and fatigue associated with breathing problems make it difficult or even impossible to maintain gainful employment. If you find yourself unable to work as a result of a breathing problem, such as asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
At the Disability and Injury Law Offices of David R. Machek, we provide skilled representation and effective advice for people who are unable to work as a result of different types of lung problems, including: Asthma, Emphysema, Sarcoidosis, Mesothelioma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Cystic fibrosis.
The key to a successful application for Social Security Disability benefits often turns upon seeking proper medical treatment from a knowledgeable and dedicated doctor. The Social Security Administration places a great deal of emphasis on medical reports when deciding whether to grant the benefits requested.
If the problems and consequences are not documented, the request will likely be denied. Accordingly, it is particularly important to ensure that you are reporting your symptoms and functional limitations, both to your doctor and to the Social Security Administration in your application. If you are often relying on a rescue inhaler, a nebulizer or suffering shortness of breath, you must inform your doctor. If you are unable to perform once-routine daily activities, tell your doctor right away.
It is also important to ensure that your doctor is administering the proper tests to address your breathing problems such as a pulmonary function test. The results of objective tests will be weighed heavily during your application review.
Like almost anything where the government is concerned, SSD and SSI applications contain confusing terminology, a requirement for exacting detail and strict deadlines. The application forms can be confusing, and the answers to the questions aren’t always clear.
To submit a strong application, you must carefully balance competing interests; you must include all of your impairments to demonstrate clear need, but if you include too many, you run the risk of your application seeming exaggerated or even untrue.
The Social Security Administration appears to have a straightforward and easily understood application process. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In spite of the difficulties associated with benefit applications, our attorney has extensive experience handling them and getting results for our clients.
When you are applying for such benefits, it can be incredibly helpful to work with an experienced lawyer. At the Disability and Injury Law Offices of David R. Machek, we devote our entire legal practice to helping people secure disability benefits.
Contact our offices to discuss an application for benefits as a result of your chronic breathing problems or call at Jenkintown 215-385-5353 or Philadelphia 215-323-5320.