• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Has your disability claim been wrongfully denied or terminated? Call us today for help! (888) 321-8131

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Ortiz Law Firm

Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.

  • ABOUT US
    • Nick Ortiz
    • Our Team
    • Case Results
    • Testimonials
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long Term Disability
      • Long-Term Disability Appeals
      • Long-Term Disability Lawsuits
      • Lump Sum Buyouts/Settlements
    • ERISA Disability Claims
    • Individual Disability Insurance
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications for Social Security Disability
      • Request for Reconsideration
      • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
    • Long Term Care Insurance Claims
    • Personal Injury Claims
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
    • Long Term Disability
    • Social Security Disability
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • View All
    • Insurance Company Tricks And Tactics
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • eBooks, Guides, and More
    • Lump Sum Disability Buyout Calculator
    • Long Term Disability FAQs
    • Social Security Disability FAQs
    • Long Term Disability Glossary
    • Individual Disability Insurance Policy Analysis
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • Search
  • CONTACT

Mobile Menu

  • HOME
  • OUR FIRM
    • Nick Ortiz
    • Case Results
    • Testimonials
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long Term Disability
      • Long-Term Disability Appeals
      • Long-Term Disability Lawsuits
      • Lump Sum Buyouts/Settlements
    • ERISA Disability Claims
    • Individual Disability Insurance
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications for Social Security Disability
      • Request for Reconsideration
      • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
    • Long Term Care Insurance Claims
    • Personal Injury Claims
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
    • Long Term Disability
    • Social Security Disability
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • View All
    • Insurance Company Tricks And Tactics
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • eBooks, Guides, and More
    • Lump Sum Disability Buyout Calculator
    • Long Term Disability FAQs
    • Social Security Disability FAQs
    • Long Term Disability Glossary
    • Individual Disability Insurance Policy Analysis
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • CONTACT US
You are here: Home / Practice Areas / ERISA Long-Term Disability Attorney / Medical Conditions That Qualify for Long-Term Disability / Sleep Disorders and Long Term Disability Insurance Claims

Sleep Disorders and Long Term Disability Insurance Claims

Couple lying back to back, man unable to sleepSleep disorders cause problems while a person is sleeping or trying to sleep. A common breathing disorder during sleep is sleep apnea. An individual with sleep apnea can actually stop breathing for as long as one or two minutes and may do so dozens or even hundreds of times per night. This stoppage of breathing results in broken sleep and all of the other problems associated with a lack of sleep. Most significantly, the lack of breathing can lead to hypoxemia, which is the lack of oxygen in the arterial blood.

The lack of oxygen in the blood can itself affect many of the body’s other functions. The most directly affected are the body’s lungs and heart. However, virtually all physical and most mental functions rely on the adequate transfer of oxygen from the blood stream. Thus, sleep related breathing disorders have far reaching consequences.

Some common work-related symptoms and results effects of sleep disorders include:

  • Daytime fatigue/sleepiness;
  • Memory loss or dysfunction;
  • Disturbance of other cognitive abilities due to fatigue;
  • Disorientation;
  • Negative effects on the patient’s personality; and
  • Hypertension.

Causes of Sleep Disorders

An actual physical blockage of airflow typically causes breathing-related sleep disorders. Another cause of sleep disorders is psychological in nature; for example, mental stress is a major component of an insomnia disorder.

Types of Sleep Disorders

Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. Insomnia affects nearly 60 percent of adults at least one night each week. Common symptoms of insomnia include trouble going to sleep and waking before it is time to wake up. Many factors contribute to insomnia, which includes stress and other underlying medical conditions. Typical medical treatment of insomnia includes sleeping pills and behavior therapy. Practicing good sleep habits, such as going to bed at the same time each night, can often be effective for treating mild cases of insomnia.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is the second most common sleep disorder. Sleep apnea affects approximately 20 million Americans each year. As stated above, this disorder causes people to stop breathing suddenly while they are asleep. During this brief period where the individual is not breathing, carbon dioxide builds up in the blood and the sleeper wakes up suddenly to gasp for breath. The length of time that the individual stops breathing may vary from a few seconds to so long that the individual’s skin actually turns blue from the lack of oxygen.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that causes periods of intense sleepiness during the daytime. Those suffering from narcolepsy often experience brief periods of overwhelming sleepiness and may even fall asleep for short periods of time during the day. These sleeping periods may last from just a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, an individual’s sleep may last up to an hour or more. Those with narcolepsy have been known to fall asleep in the middle of a conversation, while eating a meal or even while driving a motor vehicle.

In addition to sleepiness, narcolepsy may be accompanied by cataplexy, which involves the sudden loss of muscle tone and control. Cataplexy events can last from several seconds to several minutes. Other symptoms include hallucinations and paralysis during one’s sleep.

Sleepwalking and Night Terrors

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is characterized is when one gets out of bed while asleep.

Night terrors can affect people of any age. Typical symptoms include excessive sweating, shaking and obvious fear.

Chronic Cor Pulmonale

Chronic Cor Pulmonale involves the obstruction of blood flow from the right side of the heart into the lungs. It is a common, medically verifiable and measurable breathing disorder caused by the lack of oxygenation in the blood.

Organic Mental Disorders

The cause of breathing cessation during sleep may be entirely or partially due to organic mental disorders.

Treatment

Sleep related breathing disorders can be treated. The more effective treatment methods include surgery and the use of constant positive air pressure (CPAP) masks while sleeping. Surgery may remove obstructing tissue in order to ensure that the breathing airway remains clear and open. A CPAP machine keeps the airway open by using a constant stream of positive air pressure blown into the airway (usually through the nose).

Filing for Long Term Disability Benefits with a Sleep Related Breathing Disorders Diagnosis

Patients who find themselves unable to work because of their sleep disorder may qualify for long term disability (LTD) benefits. Regardless of the cause of your sleep disorder, it is important that you follow all treatment regimens prescribed for you. You will need thorough documentation of all attempts to treat your sleep disorder, along with the results, in order to qualify for long term disability benefits.

Take a claim involving cor pulmonale, for example. You will need to show that cor pulmonale has occurred and is irreversible. This can be shown using medical imaging tests, spirometry tests (which measures lung capacity and breathing), or a heart catheterization. The more medical evidence of the limitations and effects of your disabling condition, the better you will be able to make a case for long term disability benefits.

To qualify for disability based on the mental effects (or causes) of sleep disorders, you should show evidence of your mental heath care and follow all treatments prescribed by such providers.

Your Sleep Related Breathing Disorder Disability Case

The process of applying for disability benefits can be a long and difficult one. All too often, after spending several months during the application process, claimants are denied and faced with the choice of whether or not to pursue the matter through the appeals process.

Collaborating with a skilled disability attorney significantly increases your chances of receiving the benefits you rightfully deserve for your sleep disorder. Even if you have received a claim denial, don’t lose hope – many individuals are initially denied benefits. The good news is, you have the right to appeal and gather additional information that can strengthen your case.

Having expert assistance can make all the difference between being denied and being approved for benefits. While the process might seem overwhelming, your experienced disability attorney will provide invaluable guidance throughout. The best part is, they won’t charge you until your case is won, so you won’t have to worry about upfront expenses or unexpected bills.

The Ortiz Law Firm has a successful track record of representing clients in disability cases nationwide. If you want to discuss your sleep disorder and how it affects your ability to work, don’t hesitate to call us at (888) 321-8131. We’re here to evaluate your case and assist you through the appeal process.

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail

Primary Sidebar

Top Ten Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Long Term Disability Claim

View All Resources


Our Clients Love Us

"I highly recommend Ortiz Law Firm. Very friendly staff. They helped me win my appeal against Liberty Mutual. Thank you all for being the best!!"

Lavanda T.

View All Testimonials

Learn More About Long Term Disability

  • Areas We Serve
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Denials and Appeals
  • Your Chances of Getting Approved
  • Medical Eligibility
  • Additional Parts That Do Not Happen in Every Case
  • Medical Conditions That May Qualify
  • Long Term Disability Insurance Carriers
  • Occupations That May Qualify

Footer

Contact Us

Our experienced disability law firm is ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

(888) 321-8131
316 S Baylen St., Ste 590
Pensacola, FL 32502

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Claims We Handle

  • Group Long Term Disability
  • ERISA Disability Claims
  • Individual Disability Insurance
  • Social Security Disability Claims
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Florida Personal Injury

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Free Resources
  • Client Testimonials
  • Case Results
  • Nationwide Representation
  • Refer a Case

Site Footer

© 2023 Ortiz Law Firm

Sitemap | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!