Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Sleep Related Breathing Disorders
Sleep related breathing disorders are conditions of abnormal and difficult respiration during sleep, including chronic snoring and sleep apnea. Some sleep related breathing disorders have limited health impact, but others can have serious consequences because of their potential effects on sleep and the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine identifies several types and subtypes of sleep related breathing disorders. The symptoms, severity, causes, and treatment of sleep disordered breathing varies based on the type. In complex cases, a person may be diagnosed with more than one type. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 3.10 of the Blue Book.
Do Sleep Related Breathing Disorders Qualify for Disability?
While sleep related breathing disorders are given their own Blue Book listing (Section 3.10), the condition is evaluated based on one or two other related conditions, depending on the circumstances, including:
- Chronic Cor Pulmonale. Chronic Cor Pulmonale has to do with the obstruction of blood flow from the right side of the heart into the lungs. It is a common, medically verifiable and measurable effect of sleep related breathing disorders, caused by the lack of oxygenation in the blood. The specifications for evaluating Chronic Cor Pulmonale are found in Section 3.09 of the Blue Book.
- Organic Mental Disorders. When the cause of breathing cessation during sleep is deemed to be entirely or partially due to psychological issues, or when the psychological effects of sleep apnea are believed to be behind behavioral issues causing inability to function on the job, sleep related breathing disorders can be evaluated using Section 12.02 of the Blue Book.
Regardless of the cause of your sleep related breathing disorders, it is important that you follow all treatment regimens prescribed for you. You will need thorough documentation of all attempts to treat your sleep related breathing disorders, along with the results, in order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
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 a sleep related breathing disorder and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
