Can I Get Social Security Disability or SSI for Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is a condition involving inflammation of the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach that aids in the production of digestive enzymes, as well as insulin, an all-important substance that allows the body to regulate and control its sugar levels.

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Types of Pancreatitis

Treatment for Pancreatitis

Treatment for pancreatitis is dependent on the cause of pancreatitis and the severity of the condition. Generally, pancreatitis flare-ups are treated with morphine to reduce pain and fluid replacement, and the ingestion of oral fats is limited. Medication is also given to correct malabsorption problems, along with treatment of the underlying condition if identified. Should an individual’'s condition worsen to necrotizing pancreas, high doses of an antibiotic such as Imipenem (because it saturates the pancreas) is given in an effort to prevent tissue death.

Disability Benefits for Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a very painful condition that can cause functional limitations in an affected individual. Often individuals with chronic pancreatitis will suffer from diarrhea, pain, and weight loss, and these can affect an individual's ability to work and hold down a full-time job. Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration does not have a specific impairment listing for pancreatitis. But if you've experienced severe weight loss, the SSA will evaluate your condition based its weight loss listing. Severe weight loss is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of less than 17.5, shown on at least two separate tests at least 60 days apart within a 6-month period.

If you haven't had severe weight loss, the SSA will look at your medical records and the doctor's opinion of how much work you can do to figure out what the applicant's "functional capacity" is.

For instance, if the medical records say the patient is limited to walking and standing a certain number of hours, the SSA will take that into account when giving the applicant an "residual functional capacity" (RFC) assessment. An RFC might be for sedentary, light, medium, or heavy work. If the patient needs frequent bathroom breaks or breaks due to fatigue, the RFC should mention that as well. If the patient's pain medication makes it hard for the patient to focus, the RFC may say that the applicant should be limited to simple, unskilled work, or even less than unskilled work.

The SSA will consider the applicant's RFC, age, prior job skills, and education level to judge whether the applicant can be expected to work. If the SSA decides the applicant can't work due to these factors, he or she will be granted disability benefits through a "medical-vocational allowance." 

Learn more about how the SSA uses the RFC and vocational factors to determine disability.