Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Long-Term Disability Claims

Lumbar spinal stenosis can severely limit mobility and quality of life. For many, it becomes impossible to maintain consistent employment. Unfortunately, long-term disability (LTD) insurance companies often deny or terminate claims, arguing that the condition isn’t severe enough or that you can still work in some capacity. This article explains how lumbar spinal stenosis affects work ability, what medical evidence strengthens your LTD claim, and how an attorney can help if your benefits have been denied or cut off.

What Is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord or nerve roots in the lower back. This “choking” of the nerves can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates from the lower back down the legs.

Most people diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis are over 50, though it can also result from congenital conditions, spinal injuries, or deformities such as scoliosis. Common contributing conditions include:

• Bulging or herniated discs
• Bone spurs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Scar tissue from previous surgeries

For a broader overview of spinal stenosis and how it may impact disability claims, see our spinal stenosis disability claims page.

Common Symptoms and Long-Term Effects

The severity of lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms varies widely and can fluctuate day to day. Common symptoms include:

• Leg pain or cramping
• Lower back pain
• Tingling or numbness in the legs or feet
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty walking or balancing
• Pain relief when bending forward or sitting down

Over time, some patients may experience progressive worsening of symptoms, including reduced walking endurance or complete inability to stand or sit comfortably for more than a few minutes. In severe cases, incontinence or loss of bowel/bladder control may develop.

Note: If your symptoms involve the neck and upper limbs, you may be dealing with cervical spinal stenosis instead.

Treatment typically begins with conservative options such as NSAIDs, physical therapy, or chiropractic care. If these fail, more invasive measures like epidural steroid injections or spinal decompression surgery may be recommended.

Functional Limitations That Can Prevent Employment

Because lumbar spinal stenosis affects mobility, strength, and sensation, it can make many forms of employment impossible. Functional limitations may include:

• Inability to stand or walk for prolonged periods
• Difficulty sitting without needing to shift positions
• Pain or numbness that interferes with focus and productivity
• Limitations on lifting, carrying, bending, or twisting

These limitations can manifest differently depending on the nature of your job:

• A warehouse worker may be unable to lift packages or stand for full shifts
• A retail employee may struggle to remain on their feet and assist customers
• An office worker may find prolonged sitting exacerbates leg pain and numbness, requiring frequent unscheduled breaks

Even if symptoms are intermittent, unpredictable flare-ups can make it difficult to sustain full-time work. Most employers will not accommodate frequent breaks, absenteeism, or a need to alternate between sitting, standing, and lying down.

Essential Medical Evidence for Your LTD Claim

You need to present detailed, consistent, and objective medical documentation to support your long-term disability claim. The more thorough your records, the stronger your case. Evidence should include:

• MRI or CT scans confirming the diagnosis and showing nerve compression
• A clear diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis from a treating specialist (typically a neurologist, orthopedist, or spine specialist)
• Clinical findings that document reduced range of motion, weakness, or reflex changes
• Statements from treating physicians explaining how your symptoms interfere with work capacity
• Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) that assess your ability to perform tasks such as standing, walking, lifting, and sitting
• Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) forms completed by your physician, detailing specific limitations

It is also helpful to include documentation of failed conservative treatments or adverse effects from pain medications, as these can support the severity of your condition.

Why Insurance Companies Deny or Terminate LTD Claims

Insurance companies look for reasons to deny or cut off claims—even when the evidence clearly shows that you’re unable to work. Some common tactics include:

• Demanding “objective evidence“ even when symptoms like pain and numbness can’t always be quantified
• Hiring third-party reviewers who never examine you but offer opinions that contradict your treating physician
• Conducting surveillance and using isolated moments of activity to claim you’re “not disabled”
• Claiming you can do sedentary work, even when sitting exacerbates your symptoms
• Failing to consider the frequency and unpredictability of symptom flare-ups

In some cases, insurers may approve your claim initially, only to terminate benefits months or years later—especially if you do not continue seeing specialists or updating your records.

Real-World Example: A Claim Denied Despite Strong Medical Evidence

Consider a 58-year-old administrative assistant with lumbar spinal stenosis. She experiences severe leg pain and numbness after sitting for more than 45 minutes. Her MRI shows severe foraminal narrowing and nerve compression. Her doctor states she cannot work full-time in any capacity.

The insurance company, however, has her file reviewed by a consultant who claims she should be able to do sedentary work. They ignore the treating physician’s RFC form and deny the claim. On appeal, her attorney provides an updated FCE showing she cannot sit for a full workday without taking extended unscheduled breaks. Her appeal succeeds.

How an Attorney Can Help With Denied or Terminated LTD Claims

If your LTD benefits have been denied or cut off, you still have options. A long-term disability attorney can:

• Review your denial letter and policy language
• Gather and organize the most effective medical evidence
• Coordinate additional evaluations such as an FCE or vocational assessment
• Obtain detailed RFC forms and letters from your treating providers
• Challenge flawed file reviews and biased opinions
• Represent you through the appeal process or in litigation if necessary

Remember: you only have a limited window—often 180 days—to file an appeal. Missing deadlines can forfeit your right to benefits.

Talk to an LTD Attorney About Your Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Claim

If your long-term disability claim for lumbar spinal stenosis has been denied or terminated, you don’t have to fight the insurance company alone. At the Ortiz Law Firm, we represent claimants nationwide in long-term disability insurance appeals and litigation. We understand the challenges you face and are here to help you build the strongest possible case. Call us at (888) 321-8131 to schedule a free case evaluation.