Filing for SSD with Crohn’s Disease in New York, NJ, and Connecticut

SSD with Crohn’s Disease: How Gabe Hermann Can Help

Crohn’s Disease is a grueling, unpredictable condition. For many in the New York Metro area, it isn’t just “stomach issues”—it is a life-altering inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic pain, extreme fatigue, and the constant, urgent need for bathroom access. When flare-ups become frequent and medications stop working, maintaining a standard 9-to-5 job becomes physically impossible.

While Crohn’s is a recognized medical condition, the Social Security Administration (SSA) often denies claims because symptoms can be intermittent. Gabe Hermann and the legal team at New York Metro Disability know how to prove that your “invisible” illness creates a very visible inability to work.

How the SSA Evaluates Crohn’s Disease (Listing 5.06)

The SSA evaluates Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis under Listing 5.06 (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). To meet this strict medical listing, your records must show that you have been diagnosed with IBD and meet specific criteria despite following prescribed treatment.

To qualify under the listing, you typically need to document two of the following within a 12-month period:

1. Anemia: Hemoglobin levels consistently less than 10.0 g/dL.
2. Low Serum Albumin: Levels of 3.0 g/dL or less.
3. Clinically Documented Abdominal Mass: Felt on physical exam with associated pain or cramping.
4. Perianal Disease: Including a draining abscess or fistula with associated pain.
5. Involuntary Weight Loss: Losing at least 10% of your baseline body weight.
6. Need for Supplemental Nutrition: Requiring a feeding tube or intravenous nutrition (TPN).

The Challenge: Winning When You Don’t Meet the “Listing”

Many people suffer from severe Crohn’s but don’t meet the highly technical lab requirements listed above. This is where most disability applications are rejected. The SSA may claim that because your weight is stable or your bloodwork is “borderline,” you can still work a desk job.

Gabe Hermann specializes in fighting these denials by focusing on your Functional Limitations.

How Gabe Hermann and New York Metro Disability Build a Winning Case

At NYMetroDisability.com, we focus on the “Real World” impact of Crohn’s. Here is how we help you secure your benefits:

1. Documenting the “Need for Accommodation”

In the workplace, productivity is king. Gabe Hermann works with your gastroenterologist to document the frequency and duration of your bathroom breaks. If your condition requires you to be away from your workstation for 15 minutes every hour, you are “unemployable” by Social Security standards. We make sure this is in your record.

2. Proving Chronic Fatigue and “Brain Fog”

Crohn’s often leads to malabsorption and systemic inflammation, causing bone-deep exhaustion. We use your medical history to prove that your fatigue is a secondary symptom of your IBD, making it impossible for you to maintain the “pace and persistence” required for full-time employment.

3. Expert Hearing Representation

If your case goes before an Administrative Law Judge, you need a lawyer who understands the nuances of IBD. Gabe Hermann has represented thousands of New Yorkers since 1997. He knows how to:

• Cross-examine vocational experts who might suggest “flexible” jobs that don’t actually exist.
• Highlight the side effects of your medications (such as the mood swings or bone density loss from long-term Prednisone use or the fatigue from biologics).
• Present a “longitudinal” view of your illness, showing the frequency of flares.

Why Choose Gabe Hermann?

You deserve an advocate who understands that Crohn’s is a daily battle. By choosing New York Metro Disability, you gain a partner with local expertise and a national reputation.

• No Win, No Fee: You only pay us if we successfully win your backpay and benefits.
• New York Focus: We understand the local medical systems and hearing offices from White Plains to Brooklyn.
• Comprehensive Support: From the initial application to the Appeals Council, we handle every detail so you don’t have to stress.

Take Back Control of Your Future

Crohn’s Disease can take away your energy and your career, but it shouldn’t take away your financial security. If you are unable to work due to IBD, the time to file for SSD is now.

Contact Gabe Hermann at New York Metro Disability today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

Call 877-773-3030 or visit NYMetroDisability.com to start your claim.