Last Updated September 17, 2026
Conditions Center · Digestive · Social Security Disability
Also called delayed gastric emptying, diabetic gastroparesis.
Gastroparesis can support SSDI or SSI when documented delayed gastric emptying causes listing-level malnutrition or intestinal-failure nutrition dependence, or when vomiting, pain, and unscheduled absences rule out sustained work. A mildly delayed emptying study, a trial of metoclopramide, or a gastric stimulator consult is not an approval.
What is Gastroparesis?
NIDDK describes gastroparesis as delayed gastric emptying without a mechanical blockage. Causes include diabetes, postsurgical vagal injury, and idiopathic disease. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and abdominal pain. Complications may include dehydration, malnutrition, bezoars, and erratic glucose control in diabetes. Treatment may include diet change, prokinetics, antiemetics, feeding tubes, or parenteral nutrition in severe cases.
Common symptoms of Gastroparesis
- Nausea, vomiting, or vomiting undigested food hours after eating
- Early fullness and bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss or dehydration
- In diabetes, unpredictable glucose swings related to delayed emptying
How can Gastroparesis affect a person’s ability to work?
- Unscheduled restroom or vomiting breaks
- Off-task time from nausea and pain
- Absences for hydration, tube feeding, or hospital stays
- Reduced lifting or standing during flares
- Need for frequent small meals that interrupt production pace
Does Social Security have a Listing for Gastroparesis?
Social Security does not currently have a listing dedicated solely to Gastroparesis. That does not mean a person cannot qualify. SSA may evaluate related manifestations under another listing or continue the sequential evaluation and assess residual functional capacity.
There is no current adult listing titled gastroparesis. Listing 5.08 is weight loss due to any digestive disorder, despite adherence to prescribed treatment, with BMI below 17.50 on two evaluations at least 60 days apart in 12 months. Listing 5.07 is intestinal failure from short bowel syndrome, chronic motility disorders, or extensive small-bowel mucosal disease with dependence on daily parenteral nutrition via a central venous catheter for at least 12 months. Gastroparesis may be a chronic motility disorder in that analysis only when 5.07’s parenteral-nutrition duration is actually met—not because the emptying study is abnormal. Diabetes-related gastroparesis is also considered with the diabetes guide. Gastrointestinal bleeding, if present, is 5.02.
SSA requires a medically determinable motility disorder, typically supported by gastric-emptying scintigraphy or equivalent clinical testing plus specialist notes. Because there is no gastroparesis listing, 5.08 or 5.07 apply only when their exact nutrition criteria are met. Otherwise RFC addresses attendance, off-task time, and combined diabetic complications.
Can you qualify if you do not meet an SSA Listing?
Yes. Delayed emptying that does not meet 5.08 or 5.07 may still preclude work through combined nausea, attendance, and diabetic instability.
What medical evidence may help document Gastroparesis?
- Gastric-emptying study interpreted by treating clinicians
- Gastroenterology notes over time, including diet and medication response
- Weights, BMI, and nutrition-support records for 5.08 or 5.07
- Emergency or hospital records of dehydration or vomiting
- Diabetes records when gastroparesis is diabetic
Testing, imaging, and laboratory studies
- Four-hour gastric-emptying scintigraphy as performed clinically
- Endoscopy to exclude mechanical obstruction
- BMI calculations when 5.08 is considered; the official 17.50 threshold and timing control
Prokinetics, antiemetics, jejunal feeding, gastric electrical stimulation, and TPN should be dated with response. A stimulator that was offered but not placed still needs the functional picture in the notes.
How SSA may evaluate residual functional capacity
Most gastroparesis claims that succeed without 5.08 or 5.07 do so on restroom, vomiting, and attendance RFC. Frequency must appear in treatment notes, not only in a function report.
Malnutrition and dehydration may reduce endurance. Tube-feeding equipment can affect workplace feasibility when documented.
Common issues that can weaken a disability claim involving Gastroparesis
An emptying study without follow-up; alleging TPN-level disease without catheter nutrition records; or ignoring improved symptoms on diet therapy.
What may strengthen the medical documentation
Serial weights, a vomiting calendar in clinic notes, and nutrition-support records that actually match 5.07 or 5.08 if those listings are claimed.
Gastroparesis and related medical conditions
- Chronic Kidney Disease — Current Listing 6.00 includes separate pathways for ongoing dialysis, kidney transplant, impaired kidney function with complications, and repeated CKD hospitalizations.
- Crohn’s Disease — Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. Listing 5.06 uses documented intestinal disease plus specified obstruction, laboratory, nutritional, perianal, or repeated-complication criteria.
- Diabetes — Diabetes has no standalone adult listing. SSA evaluates its documented effects on other body systems and the combined functional limits those complications cause.
- Ulcerative Colitis — Ulcerative colitis is evaluated under Listing 5.06 for inflammatory bowel disease, the same listing that covers Crohn’s disease. Objective bowel evidence is required. The existing Crohn’s page and IBD article remain; this page is the UC-specific guide.
How Brock & Stout may help
We compare nutrition evidence with Listings 5.08 and 5.07, gather diabetes records when relevant, and develop an attendance-and-nausea RFC. Representation cannot guarantee approval.
Frequently asked questions
No current adult listing is titled gastroparesis. SSA may use Listing 5.08 or 5.07 when those exact nutrition criteria are met. Otherwise the claim proceeds through residual functional capacity.
A stimulator is treatment, not a listing. SSA evaluates remaining symptoms, nutrition, and whether work can be sustained.
Related Brock & Stout resources
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Speak with a Social Security Disability attorney
If Gastroparesis is affecting your ability to work, Brock & Stout can review the claim, look for missing medical evidence, and discuss next steps. We do not charge a fee for SSD representation unless we win.
This page is general educational information about Social Security Disability as of the date of this publication. It is not legal or medical advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee results. Eligibility depends on individual facts and current Social Security rules.
