Our Experienced Louisiana Social Security Disability Lawyer Shares SSDI Application Tips for Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis can be a painful medical condition that can have a major impact on a person’s daily life. If you’re dealing with this chronic disorder and are interested in learning more about applying for SSDI, our skilled Social Security attorney at Phillip M. Hendry Law can help. Contact us to learn how to get help reviewing your options, navigating the application process, and going after the benefits you need.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disorder that affects the urinary system and causes many problematic and painful symptoms. It can be hard to treat and is less common than some of the other disorders for which people commonly apply for SSDI, so the application and approval process can be challenging. Working with an experienced Social Security disability attorney at Phillip M. Hendry Law can help you with the application process and advocate for your much-needed benefits.
What Interstitial Cystitis Is: Understanding the Condition
Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS), hypersensitive bladder syndrome (HBS), or frequency-urgency-dysuria syndrome, is a condition that results in a chronically inflamed or irritated bladder wall. It’s characterized by lasting at least six weeks with pain, pressure, and frequent and urgent urination without the presence of infection.
The exact causes of IC are unknown, though there are some possible risk factors, including:
- Autoimmune disease
- Certain allergies
- Issues with the bladder lining or defects in the bladder tissue
- Bladder damage
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Genetics
- Recurring bacterial infections
- Sexual trauma or abuse
There’s no specific cure for this condition, though lifestyle changes and treatments may help manage the symptoms.
Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis That Impact a Person’s Daily Life
There are many symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis that are not only challenging but can also significantly impact daily functioning and a person’s ability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). These symptoms can include:
- Chronic pelvic pain that ranges in severity
- Pain in surrounding areas, including the perineum, genitalia, lower back, and upper legs
- Pelvic floor tension, pressure, and/or muscle spasms
- Frequent need to urinate (in some cases, this can be extremely frequent, up to 60 times per day)
- Nocturia, or frequent nighttime urination
- Persistent and urgent need to urinate
- Ability to only urinate small amounts
- Additional pain, pressure, or other symptoms related to menstruation in women
- Sudden and random swelling of the abdomen
- Pain during or after sexual activity
The pain, pressure, discomfort, and various symptoms associated with IC can make daily functioning difficult and prevent people from working, exercising regularly, or sleeping normally. It can also impact their social life, relationships, and interactions with other people.
Applying for SSDI for Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a genitourinary disorder, and the criteria for these disorders appear in section 6.00 of the SSA Blue Book. However, applying for SSDI for interstitial cystitis poses a unique challenge, because it is not specifically listed. Instead, the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates SSDI claims involving this condition using a Special Policy Ruling. This condition is also complex because there is not a single, universal test that is used to determine and diagnose IC.
What You Need to Meet the Criteria Outlined in the SPR
According to the SSR 15-1p policy interpretation ruling regarding IC, IC can be considered a medically determinable impairment (MDI) if:
- A qualified physician makes a diagnosis after a thorough review of your medical history and conducts laboratory tests that rule out other causes.
- The diagnosis is made by a licensed physician (a medical or osteopathic doctor), the only acceptable medical source to diagnose IC
- There is evidence from a physical exam, medical tests, or laboratory findings to show a medically determinable impairment of IC
- symptoms consistent with the condition exist
- Specific medical signs detected during testing for IC support the diagnosis, including:
- Bladder-wall stiffening
- Pinpoint bleeding on the bladder wall
- Hunner's ulcers, or patches of broken skin on the bladder wall
- Laboratory findings, such as Parson's test and Antiproliferative factor (APF), show accumulation in the urine
- Clinical records document medical evaluation, treatment, and response to treatment
- Evidence from other AMS supports the diagnosis
- Evidence from non-medical sources evaluate a person's ability to function and the severity of symptoms
How to Equal the SPR Criteria If You Can’t Meet It
If don’t meet the criteria under SSR 15-1p for SSDI for Interstitial cystitis, you may qualify under a listing that most closely matches your IC symptoms. Your IC must be severe and last as long as an equivalent impairment.
How an Attorney Can Help With SSDI Claims for IC
Evidence from acceptable medical sources is key to gaining approval, and a skilled SSDI attorney can help walk you through the process of gathering evidence and completing the application. With over 30 years of experience, Phillip M. Hendry Law can help obtain evidence, complete the application for your SSDI claim for IC, avoid common application mistakes, and guide you through the process step-by-step.