Long-Term Disability Claims for Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)

Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), previously known as adult-onset hypogammaglobulinemia, is a chronic immune system disorder that can severely limit an individual’s ability to work. If you have CVID and are struggling to maintain employment due to frequent infections, fatigue, or related complications, you may be entitled to long-term disability (LTD) benefits under a group or individual disability insurance policy. Unfortunately, securing those benefits is often more difficult than it should be.

What Is Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)?

CVID is one of the most common types of primary immunodeficiency disorders. It is characterized by low levels of immunoglobulins (antibodies), which are critical for fighting off infections. People with CVID are prone to recurrent infections, particularly in the sinuses, lungs, ears, and gastrointestinal tract. Over time, the condition may also lead to more serious complications, such as:

• Chronic lung disease (e.g., bronchiectasis)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Gastrointestinal issues like chronic diarrhea or malabsorption
• Increased risk of certain cancers (especially lymphoma)

Symptoms and severity can vary widely between individuals. Some people experience occasional infections, while others deal with frequent, debilitating illnesses and long-term organ damage.

How CVID Can Affect Your Ability to Work

Living with CVID can make full-time work difficult or impossible, especially in jobs that demand physical stamina or constant interpersonal interaction. Common work limitations include:

• Frequent absences due to infections or medical appointments
• Fatigue and weakness that limit concentration and endurance
• Respiratory complications that affect breathing and mobility
• Cognitive impairments (“brain fog”) from chronic illness or side effects of treatment
• Immunosuppression from treatment, increasing vulnerability in workplace settings

These limitations can affect workers across many fields—from healthcare and education to office-based jobs where exposure to everyday pathogens poses a serious health risk.

Supporting a CVID Long-Term Disability Claim: Medical Evidence You’ll Need

Insurance companies require strong, detailed medical documentation to approve a long-term disability claim for CVID. Key forms of evidence include:

• Diagnosis and lab results, including serum immunoglobulin levels and vaccine response testing
• Records of recurrent infections, antibiotic use, and hospitalizations
• Specialist reports from immunologists documenting disease progression and treatment response
• Pulmonary function tests, imaging (e.g., CT scans), or GI workups if there are complications
• Treatment history, such as regular immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IVIG or SCIG)
• Functional capacity assessments showing how CVID limits your daily and work activities

A detailed physician statement describing how CVID affects your functional abilities is often essential.

Common Challenges in CVID Disability Claims

Claimants with CVID frequently run into skepticism from insurance companies. Some of the most common hurdles include:

• Underestimating the Severity: Insurers may claim your symptoms are intermittent or manageable with treatment.
• Invisibility of Symptoms: Fatigue, cognitive issues, or susceptibility to illness may not show up on standard tests.
• Lack of Documentation: Infrequent medical visits (due to fear of infection or inadequate specialist access) can hurt your claim.
• Denials for “Lack of Objective Evidence”, especially if the insurer expects continuous, measurable impairments.

These obstacles can be especially frustrating for people with fluctuating or episodic symptoms—a hallmark of CVID.

Example Case: A Professional Facing Frequent Setbacks

Imagine a 38-year-old accountant with CVID. Despite IVIG treatments, she experiences frequent sinus infections, pneumonia, and exhaustion. Her job requires long hours and close contact with coworkers, which increases her risk of exposure and worsens her condition. After using up all her sick leave, she applies for LTD benefits—but the insurer denies the claim, stating she can work from home.

In this scenario, detailed medical records, a functional assessment, and a legal appeal emphasizing her vulnerability and job demands can make all the difference.

How an Attorney Can Help with a CVID Disability Claim

Nick Ortiz and the team at the Ortiz Law Firm have extensive experience helping clients with complex immune disorders like CVID navigates the LTD claims process. Legal support can help you:

• Understand what medical and occupational evidence is needed
• Coordinate with your doctors to obtain effective documentation
• Respond to unfair denials or claim terminations
• File a strong administrative appeal before litigation becomes necessary

Whether your initial claim was denied or your benefits were cut off, having an attorney familiar with CVID and disability law can significantly increase your chances of approval.

Get Help with Your CVID Disability Claim

If Common Variable Immunodeficiency is preventing you from working, you don’t have to face the disability claim process alone. The Ortiz Law Firm is here to help. Call us at (888) 321-8131 to schedule a free case evaluation and get the support you need.

• Cleveland Clinic. “Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)” Retrieved from: (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21143-common-variable-immunodeficiency-cvid) Accessed on December 18, 2025
• Immune Deficiency Foundation. “Common variable immune deficiency (CVID)” Retrieved from: (https://primaryimmune.org/understanding-primary-immunodeficiency/types-of-pi/common-variable-immune-deficiency-cvid) Accessed on December 18, 2025
• Mayo Clinic. “Common variable immunodeficiency” Retrieved from: (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-variable-immunodeficiency/symptoms-causes/syc-20355821) Accessed on December 18, 2025