How is Celiac Disease defined for SSDI?

Celiac disease, also known as coeliac disease, is an autoimmune disorder involving the small intestine. It is a form of arthritis and most sufferers have a genetic predisposition to the disease. Also, some with the disease may be asymptomatic. In these cases, the disease is only diagnosed through medical testing. The disease is caused by a reaction to a gluten protein called gliadin that is found in wheat, barley and rye. The exposure to gliadin causes enzymes to adversely affect normal peptides. The result is that the individual's immune system counteracts with the small bowel tissue causing inflammation. The condition interferes with the individual's ability to absorb certain nutrients which can lead to malnutrition and anemia. One of the main ways to improve this condition is to simply remove wheat products from the sufferer's diet.

Symptoms of the disease may include the following:

• Unintended weight loss
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Joint or bone pain
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Osteoporosis or bone loss
• Chronic diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Anxiety or depression

Social Security Disability Benefits Unlikely

In most cases, Social Security will determine that celiac disease is not serious enough to cause the requisite impairment that triggers benefits. To receive benefits, a claimant must show that he or she is so disabled that they cannot engage in gainful employment. Generally, celiac disease does not have the severity level to profoundly interfere with an individual’s ability to work, especially if the person is asymptomatic.  Additionally, the condition is avoidable simply be removing wheat food products from the diet. When a condition can be avoided, the SSA will not subsidize the sufferer with benefits. They will determine that the person can still live a healthy life without wheat, barley and rye food products in their diet.

Celiac disease is often listed with other conditions in an application for disability benefits. These medical conditions may include autism or cancer. In these cases, the other condition is the primary disabling condition that would be severe enough to interfere with an individual's ability to work.  People with certain conditions such as Graves disease (a thyroid condition) or Hashimoto’s disease may have celiac disease and the combined effects may sometimes result in a severe disability that would qualify the sufferer to receive disability benefits.

However, if a sufferer can prove disability and is denied benefits, he or she has the right to appeal. Talk with an experienced disability attorney to discuss possible benefits for celiac disease.