To qualify for disability benefits for your COPD, the SSA will use the impairment listings to determine whether or not your COPD is severe enough to warrant disability payments. COPD is listed in the chronic respiratory disorder section of the impairment listings, 3.02. To be considered for COPD and disability benefits, you must have a recent spirometry test. This test measures airflow in and out of the lungs, involving three maneuvers that require you to force air in and out of your lungs. The impairment listings include several charts under section 3.02 that can be reviewed with a doctor or pulmonologist to determine where your test results fall.