Kienböck’s Disease and Long-Term Disability Claims

Kienböck’s disease is a rare, progressive disease that primarily affects the wrist – specifically the lunate bone. As the disease progresses, it can cause pain, stiffness, and loss of function in the wrist and hand, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks.

For those whose jobs require frequent use of the hand, such as typing, lifting, or fine motor skills, Kienböck’s disease can be a disabling medical condition. If the disease prevents you from working, you may be eligible for long-term disability (LTD) benefits. However, proving your disability to an insurance company can be difficult without the right medical evidence and legal representation.

Symptoms and Limitations That Affect Work

Kienböck’s disease progresses through several stages, often resulting in increasing pain and loss of function in the affected wrist, sometimes leading to arthritis. Common symptoms that can affect a person’s ability to work include:

• Persistent wrist pain that worsens with movement or grasping
• Weakness in the wrist and hand that reduces grip strength
• Limited range of motion that makes it difficult to type, lift, or perform fine motor tasks
• Swelling and stiffness of the wrist
• Progressive loss of function, especially in later stages when the lunate bone collapses

These limitations can have a significant impact on individuals in occupations that require repetitive hand movements, lifting, or fine motor coordination, such as office work, manufacturing, healthcare, or construction.

Medical Evidence to Support a Disability Claim

To qualify for long-term disability (LTD) benefits for Kienböck’s disease, claimants need strong medical evidence to support the severity of their condition and its impact on their ability to work. The following types of documentation may support a claim:

• Imaging Studies: X-rays, MRI, and CT scans that show lunate bone deterioration, fractures, or joint misalignment.
• Medical Records: Physician notes detailing pain levels, wrist function, and limitations in daily activities.
• Treatment History: Documentation of treatments such as immobilization, medication, physical therapy, or surgery, and whether they were effective.
• Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Form: An RFC form completed by a physician outlining the specific physical limitations caused by Kienböck’s disease (e.g., how long the person can hold objects, whether they can type, etc.).

Challenges in Getting Long-Term Disability Benefits

Insurance companies often deny LTD claims for Kienböck’s disease by arguing that:

• The claimant can still perform sedentary work (e.g., a desk job).
• There is a lack of objective medical evidence to support the severity of the symptoms.
• The claimant has not exhausted all available treatments, such as surgery.

Because Kienböck’s disease is a relatively rare condition, insurers may also be unfamiliar with its long-term effects, leading to unfair denials.

How a Long-Term Disability Lawyer Can Help

If your LTD claim for Kienböck’s disease has been denied, an experienced disability attorney can help you appeal the decision by:

• Gathering additional medical evidence, including functional evaluations from specialists.
• Working with your doctors to provide detailed reports on how the condition affects your ability to work.
• Challenging the reports of doctors hired by the insurance company that minimize the severity of your condition.
• Representing you in appeals or a lawsuit if necessary.

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we specialize in helping people with complex medical conditions secure the disability benefits they deserve. Nick Ortiz has been handling LTD claims since 2005 and understands the challenges claimants face. Unlike large firms that treat clients like case numbers, we provide personalized attention and dedicated advocacy to fight for your benefits.

If your long-term disability claim for Kienböck’s disease has been denied or terminated, contact us online or call (888) 321-8131 today for a free consultation. We represent clients nationwide and will fight for the benefits you deserve.