Crohn’s Disease

Serving the Western United States

Crohn’s Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is the result of immune deficiency, genetics, and the environmental/bacterial factors that affect individuals. The symptoms associated with this illness are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even weight loss.  There is no cure for the disease but instead treatments are meant to maintain the severity of the illness at a reasonably low level.

The individual suffering from Crohn’s disease will have a hard time working efficiently due to the diarrhea and fatigue that comes with the illness. Depending on the severity of the case, a person will not be able to work, unless they are a near a restroom; even then, the disease can prove too cumbersome for most, and concentration will be hard to keep.

Crohn’s Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits Help

If the applicant’s impairment falls within any of the following categories set forth by Social Security’s Listing, then a strong claim may exist. The Listing is as follows;

A. Obstruction of stenotic areas (not adhesions) in the small intestine or colon with proximal dilatation, confirmed by appropriate medically acceptable imaging or in surgery, requiring hospitalization for intestinal decompression or for surgery, and occurring on at least two occasions at least 60 days apart within a consecutive 6-month period;

B. Two of the following despite continuing treatment as prescribed and occurring within the same consecutive 6-month period:

1. Anemia with hemoglobin of less than 10.0 g/dL, present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
2. Serum albumin of 3.0 g/dL or less,  present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
3. Clinically documented tender abdominal mass palpable on physical examination with abdominal pain or cramping that is not completely controlled by prescribed  narcotic medication, present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
4. Perineal disease with a draining abscess or fistula, with pain that is not completely controlled by prescribed narcotic medication, present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
5. Involuntary weight loss of at least 10% from baseline, as computed in pounds, kilograms, or BMI, present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
6. Need for supplemental daily enteral nutrition via a gastrostomy or daily parenteral nutrition via a central venous catheter.

One of the major issues with inflammatory bowel disease is the frequency of “outbreaks”. At times, the illness goes into remission for several months; but with most cases, outbreaks are unpredictable and can happen on a daily basis. Living with this fear is reason alone to keep a person from pursuing work.

To increase your chances of winning your Social Security Disability claim it is important for you to hire an experienced Social Security Disability attorney to get you the Social Security Disability help you deserve. Please call us today at 1-800-882-5500 or fill out a form on our website for a FREE claim evaluation.