Digestive health issues can leave you wracked with pain and make living a normal life challenging, if not impossible. As difficult as that may be, you don’t have to let your digestive health challenges threaten your financial stability. Instead, you can diligently work to develop a Social Security disability claim that, if successful, could lead to the recovery of significant benefits.
How inflammatory bowel disease sufferers may qualify
One devastating digestive health issue that may qualify an individual for disability benefits is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. To meet the federal government’s definition of “disabled” when it comes to IBD, an individual must put forth evidence that proves certain elements.
To start, the individual must have undergone some sort of medical imaging, biopsy, or endoscopy that confirms their condition. This confirmation must show one of two things. The first qualifying characteristic is that the colon or small intestines suffers from obstruction of stenotic areas on at least two occasions in a six-month period, each requiring hospitalization.
The second way an IBD sufferer can qualify for disability benefits is by showing two of six listed conditions. Amongst those conditions are a tender abdominal mass that doesn’t respond to medication, significant involuntary weight loss, the need for daily supplemental nutrition, and anemia. Please keep in mind that this is a simplified list of requirements, and that you should talk to an attorney who is experienced in this area of the law if you’d like to learn more about specific requirements that have to be met.
Proving your disability claim
Remember, to succeed on your Social Security disability claim you’re going to need strong medical evidence. That’s why it’s critical that you obtain the thorough treatment that you need, even seeking out second opinions if needed to ensure that you have the proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations. When it comes to preparing your disability claim for filing or appealing, it might be best for you to sit down with an attorney to ensure that you’re putting forth the best case possible.
