Patients with scleroderma may be unable to work because of their disease and its related complications. Patients who find themselves unable to work because of their scleroderma may qualify for long term disability (LTD) benefits. The insurance company will review their claim to see if they qualify under the conditions of that plan.
What is Scleroderma?
Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease that can cause the skin to become thick and hard, resulting in scar tissue build-up or damage to the tissue and organs. The condition, which is autoimmune in nature, is said to affect the body on either a localized or systemic basis.
When scleroderma is localized, a person may notice random hardening of the skin or muscles, but it is generally not severe and does not cause disability.
Systemic scleroderma, however, can cause serious and life-threatening symptoms, which may be disabling depending on their severity. In the case of systemic scleroderma, the tissues of the body and the organs in the body can become hard and fibrous, causing them to function less efficiently, or not at all. Common areas affected by systemic scleroderma include:
- Skin;
- Esophagus;
- Stomach;
- Lungs;
- Kidney;
- Heart;
- Blood Vessels;
- Muscles; and
- Joints.
What Are the Symptoms of Scleroderma?
The symptoms of scleroderma tend to vary from patient to patient, depending on which area of the body is most affected by the disease. In general, common symptoms of scleroderma include:
- Hardening and tightening of the skin that often occurs in patches throughout the body;
- Restricted movement in areas where the skin is hard or tight;
- The presence of Raynaud’s Syndrome where the limbs develop an exaggerated response to cold temperatures and may result in numbness, pain, or changes of color in the fingers and toes. In severe cases, gangrene may develop in the extremities, and amputation may be necessary;
- Digestion difficulties, including reflux and problems absorbing nutrients if damage occurs to the esophagus or the muscles used to aid in digestion;
- Scarring in the lungs that can result in decreased lung function, an inability to breathe, and/or exercise intolerance. A person may also develop pulmonary hypotension in the lungs;
- Scarring of the heart may result in arrhythmias, pericarditis (inflammation in the membranous sac surrounding the heart), and congestive heart failure;
- Blood pressure may suddenly increase in the kidneys, resulting in renal crisis and possibly failure; and
- Some patients experience severe dental problems, as scleroderma can cause dry mouth and reduced saliva that leads to rapid decay. In addition, tightening of the skin around the face can cause the mouth to become smaller or narrower and make it difficult for the patient to brush his or her teeth or have them professionally cleaned.
How is Scleroderma Treated?
While there is no cure for scleroderma, there are treatment options that can help to delay the progression of the disease, limit symptoms, and prevent future complications. Such treatment options include:
- The use of blood pressure medicine to help dilate and open the blood vessels to keep heart and lung problems at bay while reducing the occurrence of Raynaud’s Disease; and
- Immunosuppressants can help to stop the progression of scleroderma. Commonly prescribed drugs include methotrexate, cyclosporine, antithymocyte globulin, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide;
- Steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to reduce inflammation and reduce pain; and
- Surgery, including amputations or organ transplants may be necessary in advanced cases of scleroderma.
How to Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits When You Have Scleroderma
A diagnosis of scleroderma alone is not enough to qualify for long term disability benefits. And, like most autoimmune diseases, proving the extent of your disability from scleroderma can be tricky. It is important to work with a qualified long term disability attorney to ensure that you are putting together a strong claim that clearly shows you are unable to work in any capacity.
It’s important to note that most autoimmune diseases like scleroderma tend to have periods of flares and remissions. Some cases of scleroderma are also manageable with medication. Your long term disability insurance provider will be tasked with examining whether the pattern and severity of your flares and your ability to respond to treatment while living with scleroderma, still prevents you from maintaining employment. This may indeed be the case for someone who flares often and would miss a significant amount of work as a result.
Likewise, your experienced long term disability attorney will help you gather appropriate medical records, physician reports, and tests with the goal of establishing a clear connection between your scleroderma diagnosis and your restrictions and/or limitation in the workforce.
In general, a person who suffers from “limited systemic sclerosis,” meaning that their heart, kidneys, or lungs have not yet been affected by this condition, will have a more difficult time providing the disabling nature of their condition. But, this in no way means that the patient does not have a case; in fact, even patients with limited systemic sclerosis or even localized scleroderma can still experience severe pain, fatigue, complications (such as problems stemming from Raynaud’s Disease), and skin hardening in places that make it difficult to function in any capacity (such as an inability to swallow due to hardening in the throat). Again, working with a qualified attorney will be paramount in helping you draw this connection.
Work with a National Long-Term Disability Insurance Attorney to Ensure You Get the Benefits You Deserve
Your best chance of having a long term disability case approved because of scleroderma comes by working with an experienced National Disability lawyer.
Your LTD attorney will be familiar with how the insurance provider handles scleroderma claims and will help you prepare your application and collect essential evidence. It’s important to note that your long term disability attorney does not get paid until you do, so you can proceed with your case without fear of upfront legal bills or costs.
Work With an Experienced Long Term Disability Attorney
If your LTD claim was wrongfully denied or terminated and you’d like to speak to an experienced long term disability insurance attorney about your scleroderma and how it may be impacting your ability to work, contact us at (888) 321-8131 to schedule a consultation. We can help you evaluate your claim to determine if you will be able to access long term disability benefits and how to move forward with the process.