Proving total disability and being approved for long term disability benefits because of a diagnosis of chronic pain or a pain disorder can be difficult because there are no specific criteria for approval. The insurance company must take your pain into account as long as you’ve been diagnosed with a physical or mental impairment, including subjective conditions such as fibromyalgia.
Proving Disability Due to a Diagnosis of a Pain Disorder
Pain can be completely debilitating, so you should document your pain. For example, your medical records may show that your pain disorder has caused you to suffer gross anatomical deformity, such as subluxation, contracture, bony or fibrous ankylosis, and/or instability. Or, your records may show you have chronic joint pain and stiffness with signs of limitation of motion or other abnormal motion of the affected joints. In these types of instances, you may submit MRIs, CT scans, or X-rays that show the destruction or abnormality of the affected joints or bones.
You should submit evidence as to whether or not and to what extent your pain can be alleviated by medical treatment, what treatments you have pursued, how you have responded to treatment, and how your pain limits your ability to function. Because a pain disorder is not easily proven, you should seriously consider obtaining the assistance of an experienced in handling Long Term Disability cases to assemble your medical documents and present your case.
Ortiz Law Firm Provides Aggressive Representation to Long Term Disability Claimants
If you are disabled because of a pain disorder that is so severe it prevents you from working, you may well be entitled to Long Term Disability benefits. Although total disability based on a pain condition can be difficult to prove compared to other disabling conditions, working closely with medical professionals and a qualified Long Term Disability attorney to collect and present the appropriate documentation to support your disability claim can help to ensure that your pain disorder disability case will have the highest possible chance of success.
Although based in Florida, the Ortiz Law Firm represents claimants across the United States. If your LTD claim has been wrongfully denied, delayed or terminated and you’d like to speak to an experienced Pensacola Long Term Disability Insurance Attorney 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.
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