POTS and Long-Term Disability Claims

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a complex and often disabling form of dysautonomia that affects the autonomic nervous system. Individuals with POTS experience symptoms such as dizziness, rapid heart rate, and fatigue when standing up—making daily life and employment incredibly difficult.

Although it’s not always easy to prove, POTS can be disabling enough to qualify for long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits. However, insurance companies often scrutinize these claims due to the lack of widely understood diagnostic criteria and objective evidence. If you’ve been diagnosed with POTS and can no longer work, understanding the claims process and the challenges involved is key to protecting your rights.

What Is POTS?

POTS is a form of dysautonomia, which refers to a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. This system regulates involuntary bodily functions like blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and temperature control.

People with POTS typically experience a sharp increase in heart rate when moving to an upright position. Common symptoms include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Episodes of fainting
• Brain fog or poor concentration
• Palpitations or rapid heart rate
• Nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort
• Chronic fatigue
• Blurred vision or tremors

These symptoms can be unpredictable and vary widely in severity, often making it difficult for patients to carry out basic tasks, let alone maintain consistent employment.

How POTS Can Impact Your Ability to Work

POTS can interfere with both physical and cognitive abilities, limiting an individual’s capacity to perform even sedentary jobs. Depending on the severity of symptoms, those with POTS may be unable to:

• Stand for long periods (e.g., in healthcare, retail, teaching, or hospitality jobs)
• Perform physically demanding tasks (e.g., in construction, warehousing, or food service)
• Concentrate or complete tasks reliably (e.g., in administrative or tech roles)

Some individuals experience flare-ups where fatigue and symptoms are so severe they cannot get out of bed. This unpredictability often makes regular, full-time work impossible.

Medical Evidence to Support a Long-Term Disability Claim

To qualify for long-term disability benefits based on POTS, you’ll need strong medical evidence that clearly documents how the condition impairs your ability to work. Key forms of documentation include:

• Tilt table test results showing changes in heart rate or blood pressure as you change posture and position.
• Test results ruling out other possible causes of your symptoms
• Office visit notes from your cardiologist, neurologist, or primary care doctor describing your symptoms in detail
• Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) that assess your physical and cognitive limits
• Detailed treatment records, including prescribed medications, physical therapy, or lifestyle modifications
• Personal statements or symptom diaries describing how POTS affects your daily routine and ability to work

The more comprehensive and consistent your documentation, the stronger your case will be.

Common Challenges in POTS Disability Claims

LTD claims for POTS are often denied or delayed because of issues like:

• Lack of objective medical evidence, especially for symptoms like fatigue and brain fog
• Biased medical reviews, where insurance doctors claim you’re capable of working
• Surveillance and social media monitoring, used to discredit your reported symptoms

Insurers may also argue that you can perform sedentary work—even when cognitive impairment and fatigue say otherwise.

Hypothetical Case Example

Consider a 35-year-old software developer diagnosed with POTS. Despite working from home, she frequently misses deadlines due to severe fatigue and episodes of dizziness and fainting. Her doctor recommends a reduced schedule, but even with accommodations, she cannot maintain productivity.

She files for long-term disability benefits but is denied due to “insufficient medical evidence.” With the help of a disability attorney, she submits a tilt table test, letters from her treating physicians, and a vocational report confirming that she cannot perform her job or any similar occupation. The appeal is successful, and she begins receiving LTD benefits.

How an Attorney Can Help with Your POTS LTD Claim

If your long-term disability claim has been denied or your benefits were terminated, working with an experienced LTD attorney can make a significant difference. An attorney can:

• Analyze your LTD policy for coverage and limitations
• Help collect and organize your medical and vocational evidence
• Prepare a detailed and persuasive appeal
• Represent you in litigation, if necessary

The Ortiz Law Firm has extensive experience handling long-term disability claims involving complex medical conditions like POTS. We offer nationwide representation and are committed to helping you secure the benefits you deserve.

Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation

If you’re unable to work due to POTS and your long-term disability claim has been denied, the Ortiz Law Firm is here to help. Call us at (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation.

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