Arteritis and Long-Term Disability Benefits: A Guide for Claimants

Arteritis is a rare but serious inflammatory disease that affects the arteries and can cause chronic pain, fatigue, vision loss, and other symptoms that interfere with consistent work performance. Many people apply for long-term disability (LTD) benefits only to be met with skepticism from insurance companies that expect objective proof of symptoms that don’t always show up on imaging.

The most common mistake I see claimants make is assuming that a diagnosis alone will convince the insurance company to approve benefits. LTD carriers focus on functional limitations like your ability to sit, stand, concentrate, or maintain attendance, not just what appears in your medical records.

This guide explains how arteritis affects the ability to work, what evidence strengthens an LTD claim, and why claimants often need legal help, especially if the insurance company issues a denial.

What Is Arteritis?

Arteritis refers to inflammation of the arteries, which restricts blood flow and can damage vital organs. Common forms include:

• Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): Often affects arteries supplying the head, scalp, and eyes. Most common in women over age 50.
• Takayasu Arteritis: Affects the aorta and large arteries. Often occurs in younger women.
• Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN): Affects medium-sized arteries and may damage organs such as the kidneys or intestines.

Symptoms may include:

• Severe headaches or scalp tenderness
• Jaw pain while chewing (jaw claudication)
• Persistent fatigue, fever, and weight loss
• Vision changes or sudden loss of vision
• Muscle aches, joint pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs

Left untreated, arteritis can lead to serious complications such as aneurysms, blindness, stroke, or organ damage.

How Arteritis Limits Your Ability to Work

Even with treatment, many patients experience fluctuating symptoms that interfere with reliable, full-time work. Common limitations include:

• Fatigue: Exhaustion that affects endurance and focus.
• Pain and Weakness: Joint or muscle pain that interferes with lifting, typing, or even sitting for extended periods.
• Vision Impairment: Blurred vision makes computer work or driving unsafe.
• Brain Fog and Headaches: Difficulty concentrating, processing information, or multitasking.

These symptoms disrupt both physical and desk-based jobs because they affect reliability, consistency, and the ability to sustain activity throughout the workday.

Medical Evidence Needed for an LTD Claim

To approve an LTD claim, insurers want proof of functional loss, not just proof of diagnosis. Strong evidence may include:

• Imaging studies (MRI, CT angiography, ultrasound)
• Biopsy results confirming arteritis
• Lab tests showing elevated inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP)
• Treatment records documenting medications and side effects
• Rheumatology or vascular specialist notes
• Physician statements connecting symptoms to work limitations

A supportive doctor who is willing to document your symptoms—and their real-world impact—is critical.

RELATED POST: Mistakes You May Be Making With Your Doctor That Could Hurt Your Disability Claim

Common Challenges with Arteritis LTD Claims

Insurance companies frequently deny or terminate benefits because:

• Symptoms like fatigue, pain, or vision disturbance are considered “subjective.”
• Medications such as steroids may lead to temporary improvement, which insurers interpret as recovery.
• Imaging and biopsy results are not always conclusive.
• The insurer’s doctor may perform a “paper review” and declare you capable of work without ever examining you.
• Insurers may conduct surveillance to misinterpret short bursts of activity as proof of work capacity.

The most common mistake I see claimants make is failing to document how symptoms limit daily activities—insurance companies rarely connect the dots for you.

Case Example: Reversing a Denial

“Janice,” a 59-year-old executive assistant, was diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis. She experienced severe headaches, vision issues, and daily fatigue. Her insurer denied her LTD claim, relying on a file review from a doctor who had never examined her.

During the appeal, additional evidence was gathered:

• A functional capacity evaluation
• Updated imaging studies
• A detailed letter from her rheumatologist outlining functional limitations

The insurer reversed its decision, and Janice was awarded benefits.

How an LTD Attorney Can Help

Arteritis claims are complex, especially under ERISA, the federal law governing most employer-provided LTD policies. ERISA limits what evidence can be added later on appeal—if you don’t submit the right evidence early, you may not get another chance.

An LTD attorney can:

• Identify gaps in medical documentation
• Obtain detailed statements from treating specialists
• Challenge biased insurance medical reviewers
• Make sure your appeal contains all necessary evidence
• File a lawsuit if the insurer refuses to pay

You do not have to use an attorney in your state—ERISA allows us to represent clients nationwide.

Contact the Ortiz Law Firm for Help with Your Arteritis Disability Claim

If your claim has been denied or cut off, you don’t have to fight the insurance company alone. At the Ortiz Law Firm, we represent claimants anywhere in the United States with long-term disability appeals and litigation. Call (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation.