Sleep Apnea Sufferers Can Qualify for Social Security Disability

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which a person actually stops breathing for a small amount of time during sleep. This can happen hundreds of times over the course of one night and, if left untreated, sleep apnea can cause a lot of trouble in a person’s everyday life. Leaving sleep apnea untreated can also result in depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, or heart failure. Not everyone who has sleep apnea can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, but in some circumstances, it is possible to do so.

The Social Security Administration will assess you to determine what you are still capable of getting done, even with your impairment. It’s important that you meet with your doctor and get their professional opinion on how the effects of your sleep apnea could make certain parts of working impossible. For example, if you are so tired during the day that you randomly fall asleep, your doctor might tell you that you are unable to drive or operate heavy/dangerous equipment. Disabilities resulting from sleep apnea can also be mental, so be sure to have your doctor note if you’re having trouble with things like concentration or memory. You will also want to speak with a Social Security lawyer; Harrisburg attorneys at Schmidt Kramer will be able to help you fill out your application or appeal a denial.

If you have sleep apnea, but you’re still functioning fairly well, it could be hard to qualify for SSDI. However, if your sleep apnea has caused other more serious complications, you may qualify for disability. An example of this is if your sleep apnea has caused heart trouble like cor pulmonale, an enlarged right heart ventricle caused by hypertension in the pulmonary veins.

Sleep apnea can be quite serious, so if you think its effect on your health may qualify you for SSDI, consider calling a Social Security attorney in Lancaster. Our law firm, Schmidt Kramer, helps individuals with all of their Pennsylvania Social Security disability issues and will be happy to help you, as well. Give them a call today for a free consultation at (717) 888-8888.

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