If you have been diagnosed with COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), you may qualify for social security disability. It depends on how severely it affects your ability to perform work activities. The chief cause for COPD is a long history of smoking. The condition is progressive, worsens over time and is associated with frequent exacerbations(flare ups).
Symptoms consist of difficulty breathing with exercise and even when doing light activities such as preparing meals, walking around the home and getting dressed. Coughing with producing mucous is common as is wheezing.
Your doctor may have you undergo various breathing tests(spirometry) which will show the amount of lung damage present.
This information is reviewed by state doctors who will give their opinion regarding giving you an allowance or denial for benefits.