You wake up every morning wondering if today will be another day spent rushing to the bathroom or fighting waves of nausea that make it impossible to concentrate. Your chronic gastrointestinal disorder has turned simple tasks like eating breakfast or commuting to work into major challenges, yet your medical tests often come back as normal.
At Keefe Disability Law, our Boston disability attorneys understand that invisible disabilities like chronic GI disorders can be just as limiting as visible conditions. When persistent nausea, vomiting, and digestive symptoms prevent you from maintaining steady employment, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may provide the financial support you need.
How Do Chronic GI Disorders Qualify for SSDI Benefits?
Understanding how your symptoms translate into work limitations is essential for a successful SSDI claim. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes several digestive conditions in its Blue Book of qualifying impairments, including the following.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Under Listing 5.06 for inflammatory bowel disease, you need to satisfy one of three criteria:
- Obstruction requiring two hospitalizations for intestinal decompression or surgery at least 60 days apart within 12 months
- Two findings like Hgb less than 10.0 g/dL, serum albumin 3.0 g/dL or lower, clinically documented tender abdominal mass, or the need for supplemental daily enteral or parenteral nutrition
- Repeated complications averaging three times yearly with marked limitation in activities of daily living, maintaining social functioning, or completing tasks in a timely manner
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a condition that slows stomach emptying, leading to persistent nausea and vomiting. SSA's Listing 5.08 now mentions BMI under 17.50 on two evaluations at least 60 days apart within 12 months, despite following treatment.
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
The SSA evaluates cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) under:
- Under Listing 5.07, if it causes dependence on daily parenteral nutrition via a central venous catheter for at least 12 months
- Under Listing 5.08, if the weight loss criteria are met
- Through work capacity assessment, if no listing is met
Functional Dyspepsia
To qualify for SSDI benefits for functional dyspepsia, the SSA must first establish a medically determinable impairment with objective medical evidence from an acceptable medical source. Symptoms, a diagnosis, or a medical opinion alone are not enough. Once an impairment is established, SSA evaluates symptom intensity and persistence under SSR 16-3p.
Proving Work Limitations Through RFC
Even without meeting specific medical criteria, you can qualify for disability by demonstrating that symptoms prevent full-time work. Residual functional capacity (RFC) is assessed for the ability to work eight hours a day, five days a week, on a regular basis.
This approach often works better for GI disorders because many patients have significant limitations without abnormal test results.
What Work Limitations Do GI Symptoms Create?
Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms create multiple employment barriers that extend beyond occasional discomfort.
- Attendance and reliability problems. Unpredictable symptoms make consistent work schedules nearly impossible. Sudden nausea, emergency bathroom trips, and severe fatigue force frequent absences.
- Concentration issues. Persistent nausea creates a constant distraction that makes focusing on tasks difficult. When fighting waves of nausea, mental concentration suffers significantly, affecting jobs requiring sustained attention or customer interaction.
- Physical limitations from poor nutrition. Chronic symptoms often lead to restricted diets and weight loss. The resulting weakness, dizziness, and fatigue can make even desk jobs feel impossible.
What Evidence Strengthens Your SSDI Claim?
Building successful disability claims for chronic GI conditions requires strategic documentation connecting symptoms to work limitations.
Medical Records That Show Impact
Document emergency visits for dehydration, hospitalizations for nutritional problems, and specialist consultations. Include medication trials and side effects that create additional limitations.
Daily Symptom Records
Keep detailed records of symptoms, food intake, and functional limitations. Note vomiting frequency, food intolerances, and avoided activities. This helps judges understand how unpredictable symptoms affect employment ability.
Witness Statements
Family and friends who see you daily can provide credible testimony about functional limitations. Their observations often capture details that medical records miss.
Why You Need an Experienced Disability Attorney
Chronic GI disorders present unique challenges requiring specialized legal knowledge. The disability application process can feel overwhelming, especially when struggling with a chronic illness. An experienced advocate who understands both medical and legal aspects can provide invaluable support during this challenging time.
Medical-Legal Connections
Disability attorneys translate medical symptoms into legal arguments about work capacity. They know which evidence carries weight and how to present subjective symptoms credibly.
Appeals Process
Initial applications face high denial rates, especially for conditions without obvious objective evidence. Experienced attorneys strengthen cases during appeals and address the reasons for denial. At Keefe Disability Law, our focused disability practice means we understand unique case challenges and common denial obstacles.
Hearing Preparation
If your case proceeds to hearing, proper preparation is essential. Our skilled attorneys prepare effective testimony while avoiding credibility pitfalls. We also work with medical professionals to obtain detailed work capacity opinions.
