Hepatitis is a viral infection that can seriously damage your liver. For some, the disease is extremely debilitating and affects you for a long time. For others, it cures itself. Because of this, having just hepatitis many not be enough to qualify you for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). There are three different types of hepatitis that affect your body differently. HAV is usually acute and short lasting. HBV and HCV can be chronic and last for your entire life.
When completing your application for the SSA, make sure to include all test results, hospitalizations, operative reports, statements from your doctor, a report of a physical exam, longitudinal evidence (for HBV and HVC), treatment and outcome summaries, and any other medical evidence you think is necessary and will help your application.
There a number of blood tests to find and diagnose the hepatitis virus.
- Genotypic Testing – Hepatitis has multiple genotypes and it’s important to find out which type you have because your type and length of treatment depends on the genotype.
- Antibody Testing – Tests for the hepatitis antibody
- PCR Test – Locates the virus in your bloodstream
- Viral Load Testing – Measures the amount of the virus present in your bloodstream and can determine how likely a person is to respond to treatment (generally, the lower the viral load the better you will respond)
- Liver Function Tests – Multiple tests that measure amounts of liver enzymes and minerals. Abnormal levels can show problems with the liver.
Other tests are used to show the symptoms and effects of the virus.
- Physical Exam – Hepatitis can cause a fever, swollen liver or spleen, fluid in the abdomen, jaundice, varicose veins, and swelling in the hands and feet.
- CT Scan and Sonogram – These are used less often, because findings of damage can be nonspecific, but it can be useful in determining the extent of damage after hepatitis is diagnosed.
- Liver Biopsy – This is the most effect way for doctors to determine liver damage. A needle is inserted through the skin into the liver to extract a tiny piece of the organ.
Getting Your Claim Approved
Even if you don’t meet the SSA’s Blue Book listing for chronic liver disease, you may still be able to receive disability benefits on a medical-vocation allowance. The SSA will determine your residual functional capacity (RFC) based on your level of impairment and ability to do your job and your skills, education level, and age. You need to prove with your restrictions or skill level you can’t work even sedentary gainful employment (at least $1,130 per month). This may be harder for HAV, because the nature of the disease is often short, but easier for HBV and HCV.
Seeking the assistance of a trained disability lawyer could help you win your case fast and stress free. With the backlog of cases, the SSA may deny your case at first, and then you will have to appeal the decision. A lawyer knows what medical information is necessary, and can help you get the necessary testing done. They will also help you fill out the long application to prove that you can’t work or that you meet one of the listings. In the event that you claim is denied the first time, they can guide you through the appeal process.
