Tarlov Cysts and Long-Term Disability Insurance Claims

Tarlov cysts—also known as meningeal and perineural cysts—are fluid-filled sacs that form on the nerve roots at the base of the spine, most commonly in the sacral region. While many people with Tarlov cysts experience no symptoms, others suffer from chronic pain and bladder or bowel problems that can severely limit their ability to work. For those with debilitating symptoms, filing a long-term disability (LTD) insurance claim may be necessary to receive financial support.

What Are Tarlov Cysts?

Tarlov cysts develop on the nerve root and are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. They often go undetected unless they become large enough to compress surrounding nerves or are found while diagnosing a different spinal issue. Anyone can develop a Tarlov cyst, but those who have experienced a spine injury or who have a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome.

Common Symptoms of Symptomatic Tarlov Cysts

When symptomatic, Tarlov cysts can cause:

• Chronic low back, sacral, or pelvic pain
• Sciatica-like leg pain or numbness
• Muscle weakness or cramping
• Bladder or bowel dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction
• Difficulty standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods

The severity of symptoms can vary, but for some, the condition becomes progressively disabling and interferes with both personal and professional life.

How Tarlov Cysts Affect the Ability to Work

Tarlov cysts can impact job performance in several ways, especially in roles requiring prolonged sitting, standing, or physical exertion. Specific limitations include:

• Office and Sedentary Work: Sitting for long periods can exacerbate pain and nerve compression. Frequent breaks may be required, reducing productivity.
• Manual Labor: Bending, lifting, or standing for long hours is often intolerable for those with significant pain or weakness.
• Service and Healthcare Roles: Positions that demand physical stamina or quick movement may be unsafe or impossible due to instability or numbness in the legs.

Even intermittent symptoms can make full-time employment inconsistent or unsustainable, particularly when flare-ups are severe or unpredictable.

Medical Evidence Needed for a Tarlov Cyst LTD Claim

Because Tarlov cysts are relatively rare and not always well understood, thorough medical documentation is essential to support a long-term disability claim. Evidence may include:

• MRI Scans: Radiographic imaging showing the presence, size, and location of cysts.
• Neurological Evaluations: To assess sensory or motor deficits.
• Pain Management Records: Documenting severity, treatment response, and functional limitations.
• Surgical or Procedural Notes: If the claimant has undergone cyst drainage, nerve decompression, or other interventions.
• Physician Statements: Especially from a neurologist or neurosurgeon, explaining how the cysts affect daily functioning and work capacity.

Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) and detailed symptom logs can further support the claim by showing how the condition limits physical activity over time.

Common Challenges in Tarlov Cyst Disability Claims

Claimants often face obstacles when applying for LTD benefits for Tarlov cysts, including:

• Insurer Skepticism: Some carriers may downplay the severity of the condition or argue that the cysts are incidental findings with no clinical relevance.
• Invisibility of Pain: Chronic pain is subjective and difficult to measure, making it easy for insurers to claim the symptoms are exaggerated.
• Improper Medical Review: Claims may be reviewed by doctors unfamiliar with Tarlov cysts or who fail to consider their potential impact.
• Denials After Surgery: Insurers might assume that surgical intervention should fully resolve symptoms, even though many patients continue to experience disabling effects.

Example Scenario: Jane’s Struggle with a Denied LTD Claim

Jane, a 42-year-old IT professional, was diagnosed with symptomatic Tarlov cysts after months of worsening lower back and leg pain. Despite conservative treatments and a nerve decompression procedure, her symptoms persisted, making it impossible to sit for more than 15 minutes without severe pain.

When she applied for LTD benefits, her claim was denied. The insurer stated that the imaging findings didn’t correlate with the level of pain she reported and that her condition was not functionally limiting. With the help of a disability attorney, Jane appealed the decision by submitting additional medical evaluations, a supportive statement from her neurosurgeon, and a vocational expert report. Her appeal was eventually approved.

How an Experienced Disability Attorney Can Help

Navigating a long-term disability claim involving Tarlov cysts can be particularly challenging due to the condition’s complexity and the skepticism it often receives from insurers. An attorney experienced in LTD claims can:

• Collect and organize compelling medical evidence
• Work with treating physicians to craft strong supportive statements
• Challenge faulty insurer reviews or biased medical assessments
• Handle appeals after a claim has been denied or terminated
• Represent you in legal proceedings, if necessary

Nick Ortiz and the team at the Ortiz Law Firm have helped many individuals with chronic pain and neurological conditions secure the LTD benefits they deserve. We understand how to counter insurer tactics and present a claim in the strongest possible light.

Contact the Ortiz Law Firm for Help with Your Tarlov Cyst LTD Claim

If you’re unable to work due to Tarlov cysts and are struggling with a long-term disability claim or appeal, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact the Ortiz Law Firm at (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation. We represent clients nationwide and are ready to help you fight for the benefits you need.