Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that makes you stop breathing while you’re sleeping. This happens either because of blockage of your airway (obstructive sleep apnea) or because your brain doesn’t control your breathing as expected (central sleep apnea).
A lack of oxygen activates a survival reflex that wakes you up just enough to resume breathing. While that reflex keeps you alive, it also interrupts your sleep cycle. This prevents restful sleep. It can also put stress on your heart that may be life-threatening if untreated. A healthcare provider can create a treatment plan to help you manage symptoms and prevent complications. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 3.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Sleep Apnea Qualify for Disability?
The SSA no longer has a disability listing for sleep apnea, but it does have listings for breathing disorders, heart problems, and mental deficits. If you meet the criteria of one of the listings due to your sleep apnea, you would automatically qualify for disability benefits. Some ways to meet the listings for complications caused by sleep apnea are by having:
- chronic pulmonary hypertension (listing 3.09)
- chronic heart failure/cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure) (listing 4.02), or
- severe cognitive deficits, mood disturbances, and/or behavioral issues (listing 12.02).
Listing 3.09 states that chronic pulmonary hypertension can qualify automatically for disability benefits if mean pulmonary artery pressure is equal to or greater than 40 mm Hg (as determined by cardiac catheterization while medically stable).
Listing 4.02 has lengthy criteria for when chronic heart failure will qualify for disability.
Listing 12.02, which covers “neurocognitive disorders,” discusses the criteria needed to qualify for disability based on cognitive decline that’s caused mental issues like intellectual difficulties or memory problems. To qualify for benefits under this listing, you must be able to show that your condition has caused severe, documented problems with memory, paying attention, judgment, planning, using language, or interacting socially.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
