Respiratory Conditions
Helping clients prove how respiratory conditions impact daily life and work
Understanding Respiratory Conditions
Respiratory conditions affect the lungs and make it difficult for the body to get enough oxygen. These conditions include asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, sarcoidosis, and other lung diseases.
People with respiratory disorders often experience shortness of breath, chest tightness, fatigue, and coughing, which limit physical activity and stamina.
At Eric Buchanan and Associates, we understand that breathing problems can be disabling and unpredictable. Even simple tasks can become exhausting, making full time work extremely difficult.
Common Symptoms of Respiratory Conditions
- Frequent coughing
- Wheezing or chest tightness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Oxygen desaturation with activity
These symptoms can worsen with exertion, environmental triggers, or illness and make consistent work performance difficult.
Representing Respiratory Conditions Disability Claims
We won long term disability benefits from Unum for our client with spinal stenosis and radicular symptoms from back degeneration, emphysema, COPD, and cognitive impairments. We were able to get Unum to approve benefits after they initially denied them, saying our client could perform his own light level occupation as a Senior Radiation Technician. Our appeal evidence, which included updated medical records, opinion forms, a neuropsychological evaluation report, and a functional capacity evaluation report, proved that our client does not have sedentary abilities, let alone the ability to perform his own heavier occupation, and Unum overturned its denial.
How Insurance Companies Deny Respiratory Disability Claims
- Medical Records: Insurers argue test results don’t prove disability
- Treatment Response: Claims denied if symptoms improve with medication
- Doctor’s Opinions: Breathing limits minimized or disregarded
- Vocational Analysis: Claims you can still do “other jobs”
Insurance companies often ignore shortness of breath, limited endurance, and oxygen needs. They may admit a diagnosis exists but still deny benefits by overlooking how breathing problems affect daily function and work capacity.