Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder; more than 200,000 persons are diagnosed with the condition each year. The exact causes of IBS are not known. Women are affected by IBS at higher rates than men.
The physical symptoms of IBS can include abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, gas, and constipation. Most people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can control their condition through medication and lifestyle modifications and live a normal lifestyle. However, for some, the symptoms of their IBS make it impossible for them to engage in many daily activities, including holding down a job.
If the symptoms of your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are so severe that you are unable to work, you may qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. If your claim for IBS disability benefits has been denied, the law allows you to appeal that decision. Contact the Social Security disability lawyers at Marc Whitehead & Associates for more information about appealing a denial of disability benefits.
You Must Show That The Symptoms of Your IBS Prevent You From Working
One problem with applying for Social Security disability benefits for Irritable Bowel Syndrome is that the condition is not included in the SSA’s current Listing of Impairments (Blue Book). Despite this, you may still qualify for SSDI, provided you can show that the symptoms of your IBS meet or equals a listed impairment.
Your application will be subjected to a five-step evaluation process to determine if you are disabled and eligible for benefits.
The first step considers your work activity. If you are engaged in gainful work activity, you are not disabled. Steps two and three consider the medical severity of your impairment(s). The fourth step considers your residual functional capacity and your past relevant work. If you can still do your past relevant work, the SSA will find that you are not disabled. The fifth step assesses your residual functional capacity along with your age, education, and work experience to determine if you can adjust to other work. If you can adjust to other work, the SSA will find that you are not disabled; if you cannot adjust to other work, the SSA will find that you are disabled.
For your claim for Social Security disability benefits for Irritable Bowel Syndrome to be approved, you must be able to submit the kind of evidence that responds to the questions the SSA will ask when considering your claim, including:
- Medical evidence that documents the severity and duration of your IBS (This should consist of clinical and laboratory findings, such as endoscopy, biopsy, x-ray, CAT scan, and other imaging, or operative findings);
- Medical reports from your physician describing your long-term outlook, particularly how your conditions contribute to your inability to work; and
- Medical evidence demonstrating how any side effects from your prescribed treatments (medication, therapy, surgery, etc.) contribute to your impairment.
If your claim for Social Security disability benefits for IBS has been denied, don’t get discouraged. It’s not uncommon for a disability claim to be rejected the first time it’s submitted. Fortunately, the law gives you the right to appeal the Social Security Administration’s decision. In most cases, a claim is rejected simply because the applicant failed to supply the necessary information the SSA requires to make a favorable decision.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
We Can Help You Avoid the Mistakes That Can Cause Your Social Security Disability Benefits for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Claim to Be Denied
Marc Whitehead & Associates are here to help you avoid making the same mistakes that caused your initial disability claim to be rejected. We’ve assisted disabled individuals all over the U.S. at all steps of the SSA disability benefits process, from making an initial claim, filing an appeal, or representing their case before an Administrative Judge. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Social Security disability attorneys to discuss your IBS disability claim.
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