Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Lung Transplant
A lung transplant is a type of surgery that replaces your diseased or damaged lung with a donated lung. Most donated lungs come from a deceased person. To receive a lung transplant, you must have a serious lung condition that doesn’t respond to medications and other treatments.
In 2019, healthcare providers performed about 2,500 lung transplants. However, more people need a lung transplant than are transplantable lungs available. Several hundred people die each year while waiting for a lung transplant, and lung transplant providers are working very hard to increase the number of lungs that can be transplanted to address this need. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 3.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Lung Transplant Qualify for Disability?
Unlike most other conditions, the assumption can be made that anyone whose health is compromised to the point that a lung transplant is necessary is already presumed to be disabled and unable to work.
The Blue Book states that one is to be considered disabled for 12 months following the date of surgery, with the patient to be monitored and evaluated for any lasting disabilities. This means that anyone who has had lung transplant surgery will be approved for a minimum of one year of disability benefits and possibly more if their medical condition warrants it.
Because some nerves in the lungs are severed during the surgery, the recipient may not be able to sense the need to cough, resulting in the accumulation of fluids in the lungs. This, coupled with the lifelong use of strong immunosuppressant medication, means that the patient will continue to be highly susceptible to lung infections. While these infections would likely be routine for someone with a healthy immune system, they are potentially life-threatening to a patient who is taking these medications.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve undergone a lung transplant and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
