Stomach pain can be a hard symptom to source. Sometimes, minor stomach ailments and major ones will have the same symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose the problem.
Stomach Pain - Information and Symptoms
Doctors group the location of abdomen pain into three types:
- Generalized
- Localized
- Cramping
The kind of pain you experience is important to diagnose the cause of your stomach pain. After location, doctors focus on how the begins (sudden or gradual), pattern of the pain, duration, and what relieves or worsens the pain.
Sudden, severe pain could mean a stomach or intestinal rupture, a kidney stone, gallbladder disease or blood vessel problems, like an aortic aneurysm. Pain that increases with movement or coughing is likely a symptom of a serious condition. Contact your local hospital right away.
Medically Qualify for Benefits
When applying for disability benefits, you can submit your application:
- In person
- By telephone
- By mail
- By filing online
The DDS will collect medical evidence and render the decision on disability. Their first choice is to gather your own medical records, but if that is not possible, then they will arrange for a consultative exam to gather the missing information. Your doctor is their first choice for the exam; however, they are able to go to a third party if necessary.
A qualified DDS staff member will make the final decision on disability, and the file is sent back to the local field office to be completed. If the DDS rules in your favor, then your file will be processed accordingly and benefit payments will begin. If the DDS rules against you, then your file will be held at the office until you decide to appeal the decision.
If your disability claim from stomach pain is due to irritable bowel syndrome, short bowel syndrome, or malnutrition, then you may qualify for benefits under the SSA’s Blue Book. The SSA will require medical documentation to confirm your condition, duration, severity, including clinical, laboratory, and imaging results. If your condition does not fall under this subsection, then it may be included in another subsection.
In the event that the SSA decides your condition does not fall into one of their subsections, before they reject your application, they must look into the impact of your disability on your ability to work. If the SSA decides no reasonable work can be expected of you, given your age, education, and skills, then you could still be granted benefits through a “medical-vocational allowance.”
The Importance of Having an Attorney
A disability attorney can be your best protection. While it is not required, having an attorney present can help greatly increase your chances of winning your claim.
Your disability attorney can:
- Help gather your medical records
- Review medical records to ensure they are complete
- Help you prepare for questioning
One of the biggest ways a disability attorney can help you is by potentially refuting the SSA’s vocational expert. The SSA will call upon a vocational expert to help determine the jobs available to you in spite of your disability. The judge will ask him or her questions regarding work restrictions due to your disability, and the vocational expert will respond with jobs that a person with those restrictions could still handle. Your attorney will have an opportunity to cross-examine the vocational expert and, armed with supporting details of your case file, will refute the vocational expert’s job suggestions.
Stomach pain can be debilitating, and if your condition impacts your job, you should apply for benefits to help offset the lost income from time off work. In the event you are in court, hiring a disability lawyer is one of the smartest choices you can make to protect yourself and your quality of life.
