Cystic fibrosis is a respiratory disease that impacts the lungs and other organs, such as the pancreas. The disease causes thick mucus to form in the lungs, which increases chances for lung infections. Many sufferers experience symptoms such as breathing difficulties, heavy coughing, high blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep disorders. Additionally, cystic fibrosis sufferers often have frequent lung infections and poor lung functioning.
If you think you might have cystic fibrosis, an important test to determine your breathing capabilities is through the spirometry test. This test measures your lung capacity and FEV1 levels. An FEV1 measurement is how much air you can exhale in one second. Results from this medical test can have great sway on your Social Security disability claim. Consulting with disability lawyers in New York regarding your medical condition can help improve your success with your disability claim. There are several ways Social Security may evaluate your disability claim for cystic fibrosis.
The Social Security Listings and Cystic Fibrosis
Social Security looks claimants’ medical conditions in comparison to their own list of medical conditions. Under the listed guidelines, cystic fibrosis can qualify for Social Security disability benefits under certain conditions. Your spirometry test results can qualify you for benefits if your results show FEV1 levels between 1.45 and 2.05 in a spirometry exam over a period of time. Most spirometry tests, at minimum, evaluate your exhale capacity at least three times. Social Security will be looking to see if your results remain the same or decline over a course of a period of time.
Additionally, chronic lung infections that recur at least once every six months that require antibacterial treatment intravenously or by nebulizer may meet the listed medical conditions under Social Security disability guidelines. Your medical records will play a key role in providing evidence to your claim. Several episodes of recurring pulmonary exacerbations – such as coughing up blood, pneumonia, bronchitis, or respiratory failure – that require medical attention and occur at least 6 times per year or every other month also fall within disability guidelines. Even if you don’t meet these factors, you may still be able to get your disability benefits. Contact one of our disability lawyers in New York to find out if this is possible.
Other Avenues to Meet Social Security Disability Guidelines
Many cystic fibrosis sufferers may not meet the listed requirement under disability regulations. Social Security may consider other factors along your medical condition to determine if you are eligible for benefits. If you cannot sustain any substantial gainful employment, for example, you may receive disability benefits. Factors such as number of needed rest breaks, frequency of therapy treatments, any lifting restrictions, and other factors can restrict your ability to perform any jobs. It is important that you have consistent documentation from your doctor to help support these factors.
What a Lawyer Can Do
Our disability lawyers in New York have experience handling Social Security claims. They may be able to help you. Contact our offices to find out how an attorney at Hermann Law Group, PLLC can help your case. Call us at 1-877-773-3030.