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For many of those who have digestive system disorders, their symptoms prevent them from working. You may wonder if it’s possible to get disability benefits for stomach problems. For many people, the answer is yes.
Our disability attorneys in Arizona can answer your questions about disability for stomach problems such as gastritis and other gastrointestinal conditions. Contact us today.
Can You Get Disability for Digestive Disorders?
You can go on disability for a digestive disorder if your physical impairment meets the standards of disability and prevents you from working. If you have a digestive disorder included in section 5.00 of the disability Blue Book listings, if you equal a listing, or if your residual functional capacity prevents you from working, you may receive disability benefits because of a gastrointestinal disorder.
SSDI Listings for Gastrointestinal Stomach Issues
Section 5.00 of the SSDI Blue Book listings covers digestive disorders that result in severe dysfunction of the pancreas, liver, intestines, and food processing in the body.
Gastrointestinal Stomach Problems that May Qualify for Disability
Examples of gastrointestinal stomach problems that may qualify for disability include:
- Chronic liver disease (may manifest in many ways)
- Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
- Intestinal failure, short bowel syndrome, chronic motility disorder
- Extensive small bowel mucosal disease
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhaging of any cause
- Weight loss due to any digestive disorder
- Disorders of esophageal stricture
- Liver transplant, small intestine transplant, pancreas transplant
These are examples, but there may be others. You may show that you have a medical impairment that equals a listing or that you have a residual functional capacity that prevents you from working.
Can you get disability for cancers of the digestive system?
You may qualify for disability for cancers of the digestive system. Claims are evaluated under SSDI Blue Book Section 13.00, cancers.
Can you get disability for a liver, small intestine, or pancreas transplant?
If you have had a liver, small intestine, or pancreas transplant, you qualify for disability for one year from the date of the transplant. After that, you may continue to qualify based on your residual function.
What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Disability for Digestive Disorder?
The exact evidence that you need for a disability application for digestive problems depends on the specific ailment. You’ll need to show:
- The severity of the ailment
- Extent of body dysfunction
- Complications because of the impairment
- Work limitations
The Blue Book listings provide detailed information for various digestive disorders and the evidence needed to prove qualification for disability. Generally, applicants must submit a medical history, examination and lab reports, operative findings, pathology, and imaging. They may need to submit an endoscopy and other diagnostic test results.
Digestive Disorders and Disability
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, millions of Americans have gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) disorders. The GI tract processes food. It includes the following:
- Esophagus
- Liver
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
When a person is unable to process food, it may impact their life in many ways. They may suffer from:
- Bloating
- Bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
In addition, there may be secondary effects like the inability to receive nutrition, leading to weakness and exhaustion. When severe, digestive problems can keep a person from working.
Can digestive issues be a disability?
Digestive issues can be a disability if a person is not doing substantial gainful activity because of severe impairment. Many people with digestive issues can continue to work. However, when stomach problems prevent a person from having gainful employment, they may have a disability.
Getting Disability for Digestive Disorders
If you have a digestive disorder and it prevents you from working, you may receive disability benefits. To qualify, you must:
- Have enough work history credits or qualify based on a family member’s work history
- Be unable to earn income through substantial gainful activity, either doing work that you used to do or by adjusting to new work
- Have a medical impairment that makes you unable to work for 12 months or more, or that is expected to result in death
You may have concurrent medical impairments if digestive problems exist with other medical conditions.
How long does it take to get SSDI because of a digestive problem?
It may take 3-6 months for a typical SSDI application to be approved based on a digestive problem. How long it takes to get SSDI because of a digestive problem depends on the nature of the issue and the evidence that you can provide.
When you have a clear issue that is covered by the listings, like a digestive system transplant, for example, you may be approved quite quickly by presenting documentation of the transplant.
If you rely on equaling a listing or residual functional capacity, your application may be given additional scrutiny and may take longer.
Making your claim a success
Claims examiners make their decisions based on the evidence in front of them. Too often, good claims are denied because the applicant doesn’t present a full picture of their medical condition.
As disability attorneys, our team understands the information that claims examiners want to see.
We want your application to be approved, and we know that you need your benefits quickly.
Our attorneys understand how the listings classify stomach and digestive disorders. We determine how to build your case. We gather the evidence, including medical and occupational records. We present your case clearly and succinctly.
Our disability attorneys tailor our representation and preparation of your case to your situation.
We can represent you at a hearing or in the appeals process. It’s best to involve a lawyer as soon as possible, but we can begin representing you at any stage of your case.
Talk to a Disability Lawyer About Your Digestive Disorder Now
It may be possible to get disability for your digestive system issues. At Pekas Smith Disability Attorneys in Arizona, we are committed to our clients and their best interests. We are dedicated to fighting for benefits for those we represent. If you have a digestive disorder that keeps you from working, we want you to receive your benefits, and we can represent you.
To learn more about disability for digestive disorders and how we may assist with your case, call 602.962.2818 or message us today.
