Disability for Chronic Liver Disease. Cirrhosis and its complications.

How Social Security evaluates chronic liver disease

The listing can be met by any one of several complications. They include: bleeding from varices that requires hospitalization and transfusion of at least 2 units of blood; fluid in the abdomen or chest documented on two evaluations at least 60 days apart within 12 months; spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; hepatorenal or hepatopulmonary syndrome; hepatic encephalopathy documented on two evaluations at least 60 days apart with stated findings; or two SSA Chronic Liver Disease scores of at least 20 within 12 months, at least 60 days apart. A liver transplant has its own listing.

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 liver disease, limits are fatigue, confusion or slowed thinking, swelling, and frequent medical procedures.

Evidence that matters

• Hepatology or gastroenterology records.
• Lab results over time: bilirubin, albumin, INR, creatinine.
• Imaging, endoscopy, and paracentesis reports.
• Hospital records for bleeding, infection, or confusion.
• Notes on fatigue and mental clarity.

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

• Lab values or fluid documented once, not twice 60 days apart.
• Encephalopathy mentioned without the supporting findings.
• Compensated cirrhosis with fatigue never described.
• Alcohol use raised without evidence of what remains after stopping.

If alcohol is part of the history

Social Security asks whether you would still be disabled if you stopped drinking. Liver damage that remains after sobriety counts. Records showing how long you have been sober and that the disease persists are central to the case.

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.