Long-Term Disability for Gastritis

Gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining, can cause persistent symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. If left untreated, it may lead to complications such as stomach ulcers or bleeding. In severe cases, chronic gastritis can significantly impact one’s ability to work and perform daily activities. However, long-term disability denials for gastritis are frustratingly common.

Insurers frequently dismiss the debilitating effects of this chronic condition. Despite severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, they claim it doesn’t prevent you from working. Doctors must provide detailed medical evidence linking your symptoms to an inability to perform job duties. If your claim has been denied, Ortiz Law Firm can help you get long-term disability for gastritis.

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is a group of conditions in which the stomach lining becomes irritated and inflamed. Gastritis is common, with more than 200,000 cases in the United States each year. Symptoms of gastritis include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, excessive belching, heartburn, and indigestion. Some people do not experience symptoms. Many patients find that they do not feel hungry, even when they have not eaten for a while.

Gastritis can also cause other conditions, such as gastroparesis. Gastritis is commonly confused with GERD, but there is one distinct difference. GERD is related to irritation in the esophagus, whereas gastritis is related to irritation in the stomach.

Most cases of gastritis are caused by infection by the same bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Other causes include long-term use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Tylenol, regular alcohol consumption, and injury. Autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and sarcoidosis can lead to gastritis. Older age can be a risk factor for developing gastritis, as the stomach’s lining becomes thinner with time. 

Diagnosing Gastritis

The diagnosis of gastritis depends on both clinical exams and diagnostic testing. A physician gathers medical history and the patient’s symptoms, often palpating the abdomen to check for bloating and the location of the pain. 

Diagnostic testing for gastritis includes:

• Bacteria testing for H. pylori in the blood, stool, or breath test;
• Endoscopy scope testing of the stomach, which can consist of biopsies of the stomach lining; and
• Gastrointestinal series or barium swallow of the stomach, esophagus, and intestines.

For those who do not have symptoms, gastritis is often diagnosed when medical tests for other unrelated disorders are conducted.

Treating Gastritis

Treatment for gastritis depends on the underlying cause, symptoms, age, and overall health. Many cases of acute gastritis go away on their own and do not require treatment. Other circumstances, especially chronic gastritis, require more attention.

Antacids can relieve the pain and indigestion caused by existing stomach acid while acid-blocking drugs can lower acid production. Reducing alcohol consumption, stopping smoking, and stopping long-term NSAIDs may be necessary, even if they are not the cause. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help the stomach heal.

If your gastritis stems from an underlying illness or infection, your healthcare provider will also address that specific health issue in your treatment plan. For example, if H. pylori bacteria cause your gastritis, you can expect to receive medication designed to eliminate the bacteria from your system.

If gastritis does not go away on its own and is left untreated, it can put you at risk for other health issues. These may include peptic ulcer disease, which creates painful sores in your upper digestive tract, gastric polyps that are small cell masses inside your stomach, and stomach tumors that can either be cancerous or non-cancerous (benign).

Atrophic gastritis is another possibility, especially if your gastritis stems from the H. pylori bacteria or an autoimmune disorder. This type of gastritis destroys stomach lining cells responsible for producing digestive juices, increasing your chances of developing stomach cancer and experiencing low levels of certain vitamins in your blood.

How the Insurance Company Evaluates Long-Term Disability Claims for Gastritis

Most patients with gastritis are not considered disabled because the condition does not limit their daily activities. However, some may not be as fortunate. Patients applying for disability benefits due to gastritis must demonstrate that the condition prevents them from performing their previous job or any other job they could be trained to do. If an individual doesn’t meet the criteria for disability benefits solely due to gastritis, they might be eligible based on a combination of medical conditions.

Understanding the criteria and process for evaluating a long-term disability claim can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Most long-term disability plans consider a person disabled if they have a medical condition preventing them from performing work duties for the first two years of the policy and continuing to complete work duties of nearly any occupation after the initial 2-year period. Each long-term disability plan defines disability somewhat differently, so review your plan to determine the specific definition that will apply to your claim.

What the Insurance Company Needs From You and Your Medical Providers

You must show evidence of your diagnosis, ongoing symptoms, and how they impact you. The company will require all pertinent medical records to fully understand your situation. These records include office notes, clinical exams, diagnostic tests, and lab results. You should request and provide your medical records to the insurance company rather than hoping your claim examiner will do the legwork.

A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment also helps to show how your symptoms restrict your daily activities. For instance, someone with severe chronic gastritis might experience frequent vomiting, requiring immediate bathroom breaks multiple times during the workday. Detailed documentation is crucial for a successful claim.

Working with a Disability Attorney to Appeal a Denied Claim

Many people are denied benefits the first time they apply, but you have the right to file an appeal and seek more information that may help your case. Working with an experienced long-term disability attorney will give you the best chance of getting the benefits you deserve for your gastritis.

Getting expert help is often the difference between being denied and being approved for benefits. The process can seem overwhelming, but expert disability attorney Nick Ortiz will guide you through it. He only gets paid when you win your case, so you can seek help without worrying about upfront costs or unexpected bills.

The Ortiz Law Firm has successfully represented people in disability cases across the United States. If you want to speak with an experienced disability lawyer about your gastritis and its impact on your ability to work, call us at (888) 321-8131. We’d be happy to evaluate your case and discuss how to help you through the appeal process.