Experienced Disability Attorneys for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Claims
Inflammatory bowel disease is a term used when describing conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affecting as many as 3.1 million people in the U.S., according to the federal government. Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, affects the digestive system, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the condition could be disabling. If that occurs, inflammatory bowel disease disability benefits through programs administered by the Social Security Administration could provide much-needed financial assistance. Disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs provide monthly cash payments to individuals who cannot work because of a disabling medical condition.
If you have been diagnosed with symptoms of IBD and cannot work because of them, turn to GCC Law Firm’s inflammatory bowel disease disability attorneys for help. More than two-thirds of the disability benefits applications submitted annually to Social Security result in a denial of benefits after the initial review. Challenging a denial through an appeal with representation by an experienced disability law firm could get you the benefits you need.
Know The Facts About IBD And Why It Can Be Such A Disabling Medical Condition
Irritable bowel disease, or IBD, damages the gastrointestinal tract by causing chronic inflammation. People frequently confuse IBD with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, may be similar in both, but IBD causes damage and inflammation to the digestive tract while IBS does not.
Researchers identify IBD as an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues. They do not know what triggers attacks or why some people develop IBS while others do not.
The severity of IBD symptoms ranges from mild to severe and may stop for a while before flaring up again. Symptoms common to IBD include:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in the stool
- Chronic diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
As an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks itself, the food a person consumes does not contribute to their development of IBD. Research indicates that certain foods or beverages, although not causing the condition, could worsen symptoms.
- Colon cancer
- Perforated bowel
- Blood clots
- Anemia
- Osteoporosis
- Malnutrition
Medical professionals diagnose IBD by first taking a person’s history and doing a physical examination. They may also order blood tests, colonoscopies, endoscopies, and MRIs to aid in their diagnosis of the disorder and to identify the damage caused by it.
IBD is a chronic condition, so treatment options focus on alleviating symptoms by reducing the inflammation causing them. Treatment may involve medications, such as corticosteroids, to fight the inflammation. Other medications a medical professional may prescribe include antibiotics, pain relievers, and antidiarrheals. Surgery may be required where there is severe damage, but IBD may return even after surgery.
Whether you qualify for Social Security for IBD depends on the severity of your condition. Someone with mild IBD may have a disability according to the definition used to evaluation applications for SSDI and SSI. If a healthcare provider diagnoses that you have IBD, contact the team of inflammatory bowel disease disability attorneys at GCC Law for a complimentary consultation to have them evaluate your claim.
The Disability Standard And Other Requirements To Qualify For Disability Benefits Through The SSDI And SSI Programs
The standard used by the Social Security Administration to evaluate applications for disability benefits through SSDI and SSI relies on a federal definition of disability that excludes short-term and partial disability. A person must be unable to do substantial gainful employment because of a medically provable physical or mental impairment. The impairment or impairments must have lasted or be expected to last for at least one year or be expected to result in the person’s death.
You must also meet the non-medical standards of each disability program. For SSDI, it means having worked at jobs or self-employment subject to payment of Social Security or self-employment taxes for a long enough period, as determined by your age at the onset of the disability.
As a program with eligibility based on financial need, SSI does not require a work history. Instead, you must have little or no income and resources valued at less than $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
Proving IBD Qualifies As A Disability – The Disability Review Process And The Listing Of Impairments
Your application undergoes a five-step sequential review process to determine if you are disabled and unable to perform substantial gainful work activities. One step compares your medical condition to those contained in a listing of impairments compiled by the Social Security Administration for examiners to use during the evaluation process. If a medical condition meets or equals a listing, it proves the claimant has a qualifying disability.
IBD is a listed impairment, but to qualify as a listed impairment, you must meet extensive criteria accompanying the listing to be considered disabled and eligible for SSDI or SSI. GCC disability attorneys work closely with your healthcare providers to ensure that Social Security has access to all medical records supporting your application.
Meeting a listed impairment is not easy, but applications that do not meet the criteria have another chance to qualify for benefits. The next step in the process determines whether the limitations you experience from IBD prevent you from performing work you previously did or adjusting to do other types of work. If you cannot do the work you did in the past or adjust to do other work, you are disabled.
Choose GCC Law As Your Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Attorneys
Whether you need assistance submitting a disability benefits application for the first time or want to challenge a claim denial through the appeal process, turn to the gifted disability attorneys at GCC Law. Our disability benefit professionals never take you or your claim for granted. We appreciate everyone who relies on GCC Law, so we give them the level of service and professionalism we’d expect for ourselves or our family members. Contact us today for a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Medical Conditions Listed for Disability Benefits:
Call Our Illinois Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Lawyers Today
At GCC Law Firm, our Illinois Inflammatory Bowel Disease disability attorneys provide personalized, solutions-driven legal advocacy for clients. If your SSDI or SSI claim has been denied in Illinois, we can help. Contact us to schedule a free and completely confidential initial consultation, please contact our law firm today.
Call (479) 340-0002.