Disability for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Flares, hospital stays, and bathroom access.

How Social Security evaluates inflammatory bowel disease

The inflammatory bowel disease listing requires a diagnosis documented by endoscopy, biopsy, imaging, or surgery. It can then be met by a bowel obstruction that requires hospitalization for decompression or surgery twice within 12 months, at least 60 days apart. It can also be met by two findings from a set list within 12 months, such as anemia with hemoglobin below 10.0 g/dL, serum albumin of 3.0 g/dL or less, a tender abdominal mass, perianal disease with a draining abscess or fistula, or a need for daily tube or intravenous nutrition.

A separate listing covers weight loss from any digestive disorder: a BMI below 17.50 on two evaluations at least 60 days apart within 12 months, despite treatment.

When no listing is met

Most claims are decided on residual functional capacity: what you can still do in a work setting despite your symptoms. Social Security then asks whether any jobs fit those limits. For Crohn’s and colitis, the limits are how often and how urgently you need a bathroom, how long each trip takes, abdominal pain, fatigue, and days missed during flares.

Evidence that matters

• Colonoscopy, biopsy, and imaging reports.
• Gastroenterology notes recording the number of bowel movements a day and urgency.
• Lab results: hemoglobin, albumin, inflammatory markers.
• Hospital and surgical records, including ostomy care.
• Medication history, including biologics and steroids.

Ask your doctor to complete the physical impairments form in our free doctor forms. It records your limits in the terms Social Security uses.

Why these claims are denied

• Bathroom frequency never written in the chart.
• Records that describe the disease as in remission while symptoms continue.
• Lab findings documented once, not on the schedule the listing requires.
• No doctor’s statement about unscheduled breaks.

Unscheduled breaks

Vocational experts at hearings are regularly asked how much time away from the work station an employer will tolerate. If your condition requires frequent unscheduled bathroom breaks, the number and length of those breaks should be in your records. Keep a log for a few weeks and give it to your gastroenterologist.

If you are 50 or older

Under Social Security’s grid rules, a person limited to sedentary work at 50, or light work at 55, may be found disabled depending on education and past work.

Next steps

If you have been denied, you have 60 days to appeal. See what to do after a denial in Arizona, SSDI in Arizona, and SSI in Arizona. There is no fee unless benefits are awarded.

J Disability Law Firm, PLLC · Joseph J. Duerst, Attorney · 18444 N. 25th Ave, Suite 420, Phoenix, AZ 85023 · (602) 607-0000. This page is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Past results do not predict the outcome of your case.