{"id":1542,"date":"2020-03-10T21:51:49","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T21:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nolfinal.wpengine.com\/?page_id=1542"},"modified":"2023-07-05T12:42:55","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T17:42:55","slug":"neuropathy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/practice-areas\/long-term-disability-insurance-erisa-lawyer\/medical-conditions\/neuropathy\/","title":{"rendered":"Peripheral Neuropathy and Long Term Disability Insurance Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Patients with peripheral neuropathy may be unable to work because of their disease and its related complications. Patients who find themselves unable to work because of their peripheral neuropathy may qualify for long term disability (LTD)<\/a> benefits. The insurance company will review their claim to see if they qualify under the conditions of that plan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"The peripheral nervous system includes the nerves and nerve pathways that are outside the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral nerves are the nerves that carry messages to and from the spinal cord and brain from the remainder of the body. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when there is damage to these nerves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Peripheral neuropathy can develop suddenly or over time, and symptoms vary in severity from person to person. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include tremors<\/a>, paralysis<\/a>, partial paralysis, and\/or involuntary movement in two or more extremities that makes it difficult to walk or use your hands.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Disability Benefits for Peripheral Neuropathy<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Can you qualify for long term disability on the basis of peripheral neuropathy? When it is extremely limiting then the answer is: yes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Peripheral neuropathy claims are approved because of symptoms and limitations caused by the neuropathy (see below). The long term disability insurance company will examine a claimant\u2019s medical history and work history and may conclude that, based on the claimant\u2019s functional limitations, the claimant doesn\u2019t possess the ability to return to their past work (and can\u2019t transition to less demanding work).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Long term disability insurance companies may recognize peripheral neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy<\/a> as disabling medical conditions when the neuropathy severely affects movement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Symptoms and Limitations of Peripheral Neuropathy<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Symptoms<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

An individual\u2019s symptoms from peripheral neuropathy depend upon the affected nerves (autonomic, motor, or sensory) and where they are located within the body. Abnormal blood pressure or heart rate, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction are symptoms of autonomic nerve damage (which affects involuntary movement). Motor nerve damage affects voluntary movement, often resulting in cramping, spasms, muscle fatigue\/weakness, loss of coordination, and loss of balance. Sensory nerve damage can produce numbness, tingling, burning, reduced sensation in the hands and feet, sensitivity to touch, and\/or pain. Neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus<\/a> affects all peripheral nerves. Diabetic neuropathy symptoms include numbness and tingling of the arms and legs, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, burning or electric pain sensations, and a variety of other symptoms that can affect nearly all other areas of the body.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Treatment of the underlying cause will reduce or eliminate peripheral neuropathy symptoms much of the time. Direct treatment options for reducing pain include prescription medications that target nerve cells, injection therapy that injects a nerve blocking substance into the area surrounding the affected nerves, vitamin therapy to treat nutritional neuropathy, and physical therapy or acupuncture to ease pressure or swelling and reduce pain. Surgery may be another option to treat some causes of neuropathy, such as\u00a0carpal tunnel syndrome.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Limitations<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Limitations caused by peripheral neuropathy include a reduced ability to stand or walk and difficulty controlling muscle movements. In addition, because of the loss of sensation, many individuals who suffer from severe peripheral neuropathy injure their arms, legs, hands, or feet without knowing it. This can lead to infections and perhaps even amputations<\/a>. Chronic pain is also an issue for many people with peripheral neuropathy, and this can have a dramatic impact on their ability to work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To make matters worse, peripheral neuropathy may impact one\u2019s balance, coordination, muscle strength, muscle control, ability to walk, or ability to stand effectively. For those who suffer significant limitations in their ability to perform daily activities, long term disability insurance companies are more likely to find these individuals very limited in their ability to work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Peripheral neuropathy can be generally categorized by (1) the type of nerve that has been damaged, (2) the location of nerve damage in the body, or (3) the disease process that causes it. Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by diabetes mellitus. Called diabetic neuropathy, this is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Peripheral neuropathy can also be caused by:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n