Patients with chronic pulmonary insufficiency may be unable to work because of their disease and its related complications. Patients who find themselves unable to work because of their chronic pulmonary insufficiency may qualify for long term disability (LTD) benefits. The insurance company will review their claim to see if they qualify under the conditions of that plan.
What is Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency?
Chronic pulmonary insufficiency is a general term that includes several different types of breathing disorders. Disability insurance companies do consider it a debilitating impairment, but only after having been proved by various tests, such as a forced expiratory volume test. To qualify as a serious illness, a claimant must have one of the following:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- Chronic restrictive ventilatory disease; or
- Chronic impairment of gas exchange caused by a clinically documented pulmonary disease.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Also known as COPD, chronic obstructive lung disease, chronic obstructive airway disease, chronic airflow limitation, and chronic obstructive respiratory disease, is a lung disease that causes air passages to narrow. This causes a lack of airflow to and from the lungs, which results in shortness of breath that usually gets worse over time, unlike normal cases of asthma. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema usually occur, sometimes simultaneously, as part of this disease.
Chronic Restrictive Ventilatory Disease
Chronic restrictive ventilatory disease is a serious reaction to a lung injury or infection. This usually results in acute lung injury, which is characterized by hypoxemia, or a lack of oxygen in arterial blood. Severe cases lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is an inflammation of the lung that restricts gas exchange and often leads to multiple organ failure. It is typically a fatal illness.
Common Symptoms of Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency Include:
- Shortness of breath;
- Fatigue;
- Coughing fits; and
- Chest pain.
Frequent emergency visits are also common.
If you are unable to work as a result of chronic pulmonary insufficiency, you should consult with an experienced long term disability attorney. Unfortunately, long term disability carriers do not make it easy for disabled claimants to receive the benefits that they deserve. If your chronic pulmonary insufficiency makes it impossible for you to work and you have been denied your long term disability benefits, the legal team at Ortiz Law Firm can help you cut through the red tape and fight for your disability benefits no matter where you live in the United States. Give us a call today to discuss your claim at (888) 321-8131.