The liver is one of the hardest working organs in the human body, performing as many as 200 important bodily functions every day. Any conditions or disorders concerning the liver can lead to symptoms that make it very difficult for a person to lead a productive life.
A person who suffers from liver disease may qualify for Social Security disability benefits, although the term liver disease itself, refers to a number of different conditions that affect the liver. For instance, conditions like autoimmune hepatitis and liver cirrhosis are likely to qualify a person for Social Security disability benefits. Symptoms of liver cirrhosis could include fatigue, swelling of the feet, severe weight loss and in the final stages, liver failure. In many cases, a liver transplant may be the only option to save the patient’s life.
A simple diagnosis of a liver condition is not sufficient for you to qualify for disability benefits. In many cases, potential applicants find that their condition does not merit an automatic claims approval. In such cases, your doctor should be able to provide sufficient evidence that your condition makes it difficult for you to work for long periods of time. For instance, if your liver disease requires you to take breaks from work for several days or weeks at a stretch for your treatment, or to manage your symptoms, you might have a stronger case for benefits.
Some liver conditions, like liver cirrhosis are closely associated with alcoholism. Whether your liver disease was the result of alcoholism may have some bearing on your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits.