Missourians who are suffering from an illness related to the digestive system are likely to endure a great deal of suffering. The illness itself combined with the treatments and the other issues that accompany it can make it difficult to function on a daily basis, let alone hold a regular job. Fortunately, Social Security disability benefits for illness are available for those who meet the requirements established by the Social Security Administration. Those who are suffering from a digestive system including malnutrition, inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal hemorrhage along with the accompanying complications can get Social Security disability benefits.
The Social Security Administration needs certain documentation to show the illness and its severity. The claimant should provide medical evidence with clinical and laboratory results. All reports of tests and imaging must be provided. Imaging will include x-rays, MRI, CAT scans and similar tests. The effects of treatment will be considered.
A digestive disorder will often be improved through surgery or other medical treatments. The SSA will examine how severe the disorder is and how long it has lasted. The effects of the treatment with therapy, surgery and medication or any other methods that are used will be assessed to see if there is improvement in any facet of the disorder. Side effects that might accompany the treatment will be taken into account.
The claimant should inform the SSA about the treatment, the amount of treatment and how it is administered, how he or she responds to the treatment, if there are adverse effects from it and how long the treatment is expected to last. The effects of the treatment can vary on how long they last, so information about this must be given. If a claimant is receiving nutrition intravenously or through a feeding tube, it will not automatically indicate that the person cannot perform gainful activity unless it is due to short bowel syndrome.
For those who have a digestive disorder, it is important to know whether they meet the criteria for qualifying SSD benefits for illness to be approved for benefits. For assistance in pursing benefits for being disabled with these issues, speaking to an attorney who is experienced in a wide range of SSD benefits claims can help with a case.
Source: ssa.gov, “5.00 Digestive System — Adult — A, B, C,” accessed on Jan. 9, 2017
