Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI with Crohn's DiseaseCrohn's disease affects about 600,000 men and women in the United States and Canada alone. Currently, there is no pharmaceutical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease. All treatment is geared toward controlling symptoms, maintaining remission and preventing relapses. Considered an autoimmune inflammatory gastrointestinal disease, Crohn's disease generally manifests itself in the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss. However, the disease can exhibit significant extraintestinal (other than intestinal) manifestations in other body systems. These extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn's might include non-destructive inflammatory arthritis, inflammations of the eye, skin rashes and ulcers, and for a small percentage of people, neurological complications. Social Security defines disability as any medically determinable mental or physical condition that A) has prevented the performance of substantial and gainful work activity for twelve months, or B) is expected to prevent the performance of substantial and gainful work activity for twelve months, or C) is expected to result in death. Social Security evaluates Crohn's disease using the disability guidebook impairment listing 5.06 Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The following sections of listing 5.06 detail what is needed to meet or equal the listing requirements for Crohn's disease: A. Blockage of stenotic areas in the colon or small intestine with dilation of nearby areas. Medically acceptable imagining techniques or surgery must substantiate the obstructions and the obstructions require a hospitalization for intestinal decompression or surgery. The listing requires that an individual must require hospitalization on two occasions with the above procedures at least sixty days apart in a six-month period. OR B. Two of the following in spite of ongoing treatment as prescribed, and happening within the same consecutive six month period.
It is important to remember that the Social Security Disability program is two-fold in that it considers medical information along with the limitations imposed by an individual's impairment. Social Security Disability is based upon an inability to perform substantial work activity (See SGA monthly earnings amount) due to the limitations imposed by a medically determinable mental or physical impairment for a period of twelve months or more. Since Crohn's disease is a condition that exacerbates and remits, it can be difficult to be difficult to meet the twelve month durational requirement of Social Security Disability. If a person cannot meet or equal any impairment listings associated with their Crohn's disease symptoms, they still may be approved on the basis of a medical vocational allowance. Disability examiners consider an individual's age, education, residual functional capacity, past work and ability to do other work when limitations are considered. While some may be able to be approved for disability benefits through medical vocational allowances, many will not. For those who are not approved for disability benefits, it is important to appeal disability denials all the way through to the level of an administrative law judge hearing. The national average for administrative law judge hearing approvals is sixty percent percent making it the most winning level of the Social Security Disability process. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related Body System Impairments: Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI with Crohn's Disease Facts about Crohn's Disease and Filing for Disability Social Security Disability SSI and Filing based on Lupus Polychondritis and Filing for Disability Bursitis and Filing for Disability Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease and Filing for Disability Costochondritis and Filing for Disability Ankylosing Spondylitis and Filing for Disability Polymyositis and Filing for Disability Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Filing for Disability Behcet's disease and Filing for Disability Lupus, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits Getting a Disability Lawyer in Pennsylvania If you apply for disability in Pennsylvania Will I qualify for disability Benefits in Pennsylvania? |
