If you suffer from a digestive disorder, it can interfere with your ability to function and live a typical, financially independent life. Many digestive disorders cause extreme pain daily or make it difficult for patients to leave their homes.
The SSA considers any disorder in the digestive system, including liver dysfunction, IBS, malnutrition and short bowel syndrome to qualify for SSD. However, your digestive disorder has to meet other qualifications.
How can you prove your digestive disorder?
You need medical evidence to prove to the SSA that you have a digestive disorder. Collect lab results, clinical findings and other medical evidence about your disorder. The evidence can include imaging studies, including endoscopy operations. Medical evidence has to show the severity of your disorder and its duration of it.
Which digestive issues qualify for SSD?
While there are various disorders that commonly fall under the SSD’s qualifications, you need to prove that your disorder resulted in a disability. The disorder must impair your daily life. In addition, the SSA will look at the treatment options available to you and how you respond to them. Often, people undergo surgical intervention or therapy to minimize the symptoms of digestive disorders.
The SSA will consider the duration of your disorder and the severity after treatment. In addition to the disorder’s symptoms following treatment, the SSA looks at the side effects of the medication. If your treatment limits your functioning but requires it to cope with the symptoms or save your life, you may still qualify for SSD.
The SSA intends to ensure that patients with digestive disorders have chronic disorders with long-lasting symptoms that impair their lifestyle.