|
Related Links: |
You’re constantly prevented from doing things because of a cough that won’t go away. You’ve been in and out of hospitals for as long as you can remember, and you can hardly take a breath without coughing up yellow mucus. It’s held you back from a lot of things, but now it’s holding you back from getting a job—and you’re not sure if “just coughing” qualifies as a disability.
Are You Suffering From Bronchiectasis?
All of the above could be symptoms of a lung disease called bronchiectasis. This condition causes the bronchi (passageways carrying air into the lungs) to dilate, making them susceptible to inflammation. People with the disease have difficulty expelling lung secretions, causing prolonged coughing fits and irritation that further obstructs breathing.
Bronchiectasis may be a result of a respiratory infection or inhalation of a toxic substance, or it can arise as a side effect of a larger disease or disorder, including:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Tuberculosis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Alcoholism
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
You May Be Able to Get Social Security Disability Benefits for Bronchiectasis
You may be able to get disability payments for bronchiectasis if chronic coughing and respiratory infections make it impossible for you to earn a living. In order for you to be eligible for benefits, your doctor must diagnose you with bronchiectasis by:
- Using an appropriate imaging technique (such as a CT scan) to confirm the condition
- Testing your lung function by measuring lung capacity and your body’s ability to absorb inhaled oxygen
- Providing a detailed overview of your past episodes of pneumonia, bronchitis, or respiratory failure that have required intensive medical treatment and your response to that treatment
Additionally, you must show that you’ve had complications or exacerbations that required a stay in the hospital three times within a year and at least 30 days apart. Each stay must last at least 48 hours, including the hours spent in Emergency prior to the hospitalization.
Want to know more about getting your disability application approved? Leave a comment below or click the contact link on this page to ask us a question about your case.
