Long-Term Disability Claims for Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within your spine narrow. This puts pressure on the nerves in the spinal canal. It can cause pain, weakness, and functional limitations that prevent you from working.

Despite this, insurers often deny these claims. If you’re struggling with a long-term disability claim denial, you’re not alone. You don’t have to navigate this process on your own.

At the Ortiz Law Firm, we fight back when disability insurance companies deny claims. We can help you build a strong appeal or lawsuit to recover the benefits you deserve.

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal. This can compress the spinal cord and nerves.

There are two primary types of spinal stenosis:

• Cervical spinal stenosis occurs in the neck. It can cause symptoms that radiate to the shoulders, arms, and hands.
• Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs in the lower back. It can cause leg pain, weakness, or numbness—especially when walking or standing.

It can also occur in the thoracic spine (mid-back) though it is less common. Causes of spinal stenosis include arthritis, bone spurs, herniated discs, and spinal injuries.

Common Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

The severity and location of your spinal stenosis will affect your symptoms. Common signs include:

• Chronic back or neck pain
• Radiating pain in arms or legs
• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Problems with balance or coordination
• Difficulty standing or walking for extended periods
• In severe cases, loss of bowel or bladder control

These symptoms may worsen over time, especially without appropriate treatment or surgical intervention.

How Spinal Stenosis Can Affect Your Ability to Work

Even with treatment, spinal stenosis can limit your ability to work. Pain may prevent you from lifting, bending, or standing for long periods. Numbness or weakness can impair your ability to use your hands or walk. Ongoing symptoms may force you to reduce your hours, change jobs, or stop working.

Disability insurance companies often argue that claimants can still perform sedentary work. Yet, those with spinal stenosis experience pain while sitting. They often need to change positions. They may also have trouble focusing due to discomfort. All these symptoms may support a claim for total disability.

Proving Disability Due to Spinal Stenosis

If you want to win a long-term disability claim, you need strong medical evidence. The records should explain how your symptoms impair your ability to work. This may include:

• MRI or CT scan results
• Physician treatment notes
• Reports from neurologists or orthopedic specialists
• Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs)
• Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) forms
• Statements from treating doctors

You may also need to submit a statement describing how your condition stops you from working.

Why Insurance Companies Deny Spinal Stenosis Disability Claims

Insurance companies often deny claims for spinal stenosis for reasons such as:

• Lack of imaging (e.g., no MRI showing compression)
• Claims that symptoms are inconsistent or exaggerated
• Assertions that you can perform sedentary work
• Gaps in medical treatment
• Use of “peer reviews” to dispute treating physician opinions

If your insurance company has denied your claim, don’t give up. You have the right to appeal—and the appeal may be your last chance to submit evidence before litigation. It’s critical that you get it right.

How the Ortiz Law Firm Can Help

We understand that insurance companies are looking for any excuse to deny a claim. That’s why we help claimants nationwide appeal denied claims. We’ll help you:

• Review your denial letter and policy
• Develop a custom strategy for your appeal
• Work with your doctors to get strong supportive evidence
• Draft persuasive legal arguments
• Represent you in litigation if your insurance company denies your appeal

You don’t have to fight the insurance company alone. Contact us to get help with your long-term disability claim today.

Get Help with Your Long-Term Disability Claim

If your insurance company has denied your LTD claim, consider choosing the Ortiz Law Firm:

• We represent people across the country. 
• We have experience with disability claims for spinal stenosis.
• We don’t charge any attorney fees unless we win your case.

Call (888) 321-8131 or submit your information online for a free case evaluation.

Cleveland Clinic. “Spinal stenosis” Retrieved from: (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17499-spinal-stenosis) Accessed