When you apply for long term disability (LTD) benefits, you need to prove that you are disabled (as that term is defined under your policy) and no longer able to perform meaningful work.
It is important to receive medical treatment while you are claiming long-term disability benefits. While going to the doctor is important regardless of your disabling condition, it is especially important for those who are claiming benefits based on digestive disorders. It will be important to show that you remain disabled despite complying with all prescribed treatments.
Do Digestive System Disorders Qualify for Long Term Disability?
Generally speaking, there are six broad categories of digestive conditions that may qualify for LTD benefits:
The insurance company will need to see medical imaging, such as X-Rays, ultrasounds, or endoscopy imaging. In more severe cases, one’s CLD may have caused hospitalization and a need for a blood transfusion. Other examples of severe chronic liver disease include situations where one’s CLD has required shunts, is terminal (end-stage), or can be shown to have affected the patient’s mental health significantly.
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhaging
Evidence to support an LTD claim due to gastrointestinal hemorrhaging may include situations such as where you required multiple blood transfusions during a short period of time.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
To qualify with IBD, you should provide documentation of an endoscopy, medical imaging, or biopsy. You should submit any evidence of hospitalizations.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). Irritable bowel syndrome is chronic and commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
Liver Transplants
If you have received a liver transplant, you are very likely limited in your activities of daily living. It can take months to recover.
Short Bowel Syndrome
You may qualify for LTD benefits with SBS, especially when more than half of your small intestine must be removed.
Other Digestive System Disorders That May Qualify for Long Term Disability Include:
- Bowel Incontinence
- Cirrhosis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Dysautonomia
- Gastritis
- Gastroparesis
- GERD
- Hepatitis
- Kidney Failure
- Liver Disease
- Necrotizing Colitis
- Pancreatitis
- Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Stomach Pain
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Ulcers
- Whipple’s Disease
- Wilson’s Disease
If you are unable to work as a result of a digestive system disorder, you should consult with an experienced long term disability attorney. Unfortunately, long term disability carriers do not make it easy for disabled claimants to receive the benefits that they deserve. If your digestive system disorder makes it impossible for you to work and you have been denied your long term disability benefits, the legal team at Ortiz Law Firm can help you cut through the red tape and fight for your disability benefits no matter where you live in the United States. Give us a call today to discuss your claim at (888) 321-8131.