Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Disability – Winning Your Rightful Benefits
If you suffer from complex regional pain syndrome disability and were unfairly denied long term disability benefits, please contact our firm.
Our lawyers represent claimants across the U.S. in their claims for disability benefits for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS or RSD).
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we know that CRPS and other pain disorders can make work unbearable and unsustainable. Disability benefits may be critical to your financial survival and supporting your family.
If your claim for long-term disability insurance, Social Security disability or Veteran’s disability benefits is wrongfully denied or delayed, our attorneys are here to help. We will do all that we can to help you obtain the compensation you need.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
What is CRPS?
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS), is a chronic pain condition. The main symptom is continuous, intense pain that worsens over time. Often the pain targets the arms, legs, hands or feet. Other symptoms include significant changes in skin temperature and color of the affected area.
Over time, patients with CRPS disability experience burning pain, swelling, sweating and sensitivity when the skin is touched. The muscles stiffen, causing movement to become limited. Many people find that irreversible muscle wasting takes place in the affected limb.
Complex regional pain syndrome typically follows a traumatic injury where the nerves are stimulated in such a way that there is constant pain. CRPS can also originate from diseases or surgery affecting other parts of the body.
Diagnosing CRPS/RSDS includes thermography, which tests for temperature changes and impaired blood supply to the limb, x-rays, bone scans, and nerve conduction. Diagnosis also involves the person’s medical history and physical examination records.
Doctors must treat painful chronic symptoms, as no cure exists. Patients may experience intermittent remission and relief from the pain of CRPS, while others have unrelenting and progressive pain that does not respond to treatment, leaving the patient with a permanent crippling disability.
Getting Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Disability Benefits under Long Term Disability Insurance
Our firm routinely receives calls from CRPS patients who have had their disability insurance claims denied. These claimants either have private long-term disability (LTD) insurance, which is governed by state “bad faith” law, or are part of an employer’s group insurance plan, which falls under ERISA law.
Unfortunately, many well-known disability insurance companies devote great time and effort in denying claims. If your employer provided a group disability policy, or if you bought a disability policy on your own, we can help you.
Even if the insurance company is wrong, you must appeal an ERISA denial and appeal private disability claims in order to fight for your benefits.
Insurance companies use many tactics to contest claims for complex regional pain syndrome disability. A frequent scenario is when the insurer requires the claimant to be examined in an Independent Medical Examination, which is performed by a doctor who works for the insurance company. Many of these doctors have no experience in CRPS; many are biased towards finding in favor of the insurance company.
Such claims are denied because the doctor disagreed with the diagnosis, or argued that the condition was temporary or not severe enough, claiming the patient would be able to return to work in a sedentary job after therapy and treatment.
Our disability lawyers stand up to insurance companies who treat disability claims as a means of guarding their profits. Many claim denials can be challenged and won, and our firm has the knowledge and experience to deal with any insurance company who refuses to honor a valid claim.
When the insurance company won’t pay, you should speak with a long-term disability lawyer who has successfully handled CRPS/RSDS claims. It is important to deal with the denial of the claim immediately.
To find out how we can help, call Marc Whitehead & Associates at 800-562-9830.
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Social Security Claims for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Disability
SSA’s Listing of Impairments does not mention complex regional pain syndrome or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome. However, the particular findings in your case will be compared to any relevant medical listing to see if your condition is the “medical equivalent” of a listed impairment.
Social Security will also base your claim on functional capacity arguments. What we can argue and establish is that your functional capacity is so reduced by the symptoms you are experiencing that you would not be able to work. This is a practical analysis that, despite your best intentions to work, your condition has disabled you from performing any type of full time, sustained job.
Judges are also looking for evidence of the credibility of your claim. We make every effort to assemble and document your doctor’s diagnosis, a consistent work history, medical treatment and your continued efforts to pursue treatment, your compliance with taking medications, as well as your continued efforts to attempt to work.
In many cases, we have helped educate the judge about complex regional pain syndrome disability.
Call for a free initial consultation at 800-562-9830 to discuss your CRPS disability claim. We will answer any questions that you may have about winning Social Security Disability benefits.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Veterans Claims for CRPS Disability
Although CRPS affects thousands of disabled veterans, the VA does not assign the condition its own disability rating. When a veteran is evaluated, the VA rating equates to money, and VA ratings for CRPS are notoriously low. The VA may attempt to find a similar disability rating, but no disease is truly similar.
Establishing your rights as a veteran to complex regional pain syndrome disability benefits tied to service-connected injuries – while securing a satisfactory rating – can be a complicated and frustrating endeavor on your own.
The Accredited Veterans Claims attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates have the experience and skills to help you establish the reality of your disability, and we can fight for you at every step in the VA disability appeals process.
If your CRPS/RSDS disability claim was turned down by the VA, or if you have any questions about your case, please call us at 800-562-9830
We Know the Importance of Disability Benefits in Your CRPS Case
CRPS/RSDS can be totally incapacitating. Victims coping with the condition suffer physically and emotionally. Severe, unending pain can interfere with every aspect of a person’s life: work, relationships, confidence, and emotional stability. It is common for depression, anxiety, stress and fatigue to aggravate the condition.
To learn how we can help, ask a disability lawyer about your complex regional pain syndrome disability claim today.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form