In what can seem like the blink of an eye, a medical condition can devastate an individual’s life. It can strip away his or her health, make it difficult to actively participate in family functions, and even make it impossible to work. Medical advances, though, have made treatments more effective, allowing many individuals to recover at least a little bit of their once lost health. Though this is great from a health perspective, it can pose a threat to one’s financial well-being, specifically if such an individual is receiving Social Security disability benefits.
For example, under the Social Security Administration’s regulations for disorders of the digestive system, treatment may render one no longer disabled. According to the SSA, many digestive disorders respond well to treatment, so it is important to analyze both the severity and longevity of the disorder as well as the treatment imposed. This means that the SSA will look to see what, exactly, is being done to treat one’s condition and how much improvement in being acquired through that treatment.
Fortunately, regulators will also assess any side effects of treatment. Therefore, even if treatment does improve one’s digestive condition, the sufferer could still be disabled on account of the condition and the treatment’s side effects in total. Additionally, the SSA realizes that many treatments are long-lasting and can have long-term effects. Therefore, they like to see evidence of a treatment’s effect on an individual prior to making any decision on benefits.
The SSD claims and retention process can be fraught with challenges. Those who wish to put forth the strongest case possible under their specific set of circumstances may wish to speak with a legal professional to hopefully increase their chances of meeting federal requirements and being awarded benefits.
Source: Social Security Administration, “5.00 Digestive System – Adult,” accessed on Oct. 3, 2016
