Getting long-term disability benefits for fibromyalgia can be particularly frustrating. Besides widespread pain and physical limitations, victims of FM must overcome credibility problems that go hand-in-hand with “invisible diseases.” But it can be done! Here’s what you need to know. Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder that causes persisting, body-wide pain, often accompanied by numbness and […]
Category: Fibromyalgia
How Objective Medical Evidence Affects Your Disability Claim
Insurers frequently deny disability benefits based on the lack of “objective medical evidence.” This can make or break your claim.
Our video begins with a reminder that disability insurance companies are always looking for ways to reduce their liability. They want to cut costs, and so have developed strategies and tactics by which they are able to reduce long term disability benefits – and even deny benefits altogether, or terminate existing benefits.
Fibromyalgia and Long Term Disability Insurance Claims
Information you need to know about fibromyalgia and long term disability insurance – important tips to avoid or defeat denial of this chronic illness and qualify for LTD benefits.
Recently we briefly touched on the five so-called “subjective disorders” that people often have a hard time proving to their insurer in order to start collecting the disability benefits that they need.
Can Subjective Disorders Qualify for LTD Benefits?
Subjective disorders are those conditions where symptoms are noticeable only to the patient, such as pain or fatigue.
When you are experiencing physical or mental distress, nothing about it seems very “subjective.” But when it comes to actually receiving a diagnosis and getting long term disability insurance benefits through your insurance company, there are several disorders that tend to fall on the borderline, and that can make it more difficult for you to get the help you need.
MetLife LTD Denial Chronic Pain Reversed on Appeal
Founded over 140 years ago, today MetLife is a global leader in the insurance industry. A great number of our clients have suffered from denials of their MetLife disability claims. Our experienced lawyers represent claimants in appeals and lawsuits across the U.S. in cases of MetLife LTD denial.
One of our recent MetLife clients is a 59 year old woman from Ahoskie, North Carolina with severe back and leg pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia which all lead to chronic pain. We were able to represent her in the appeal of MetLife’s decision to deny her claim for long term disability (LTD) benefits.
Our client first submitted her claim for long term disability benefits in the form requested by MetLife and was awarded benefits for 24 months.
Fighting Fibromyalgia Disability Benefit Denials
If you have been denied benefits, speak to disability attorneys who have successfully handled fibromyalgia disability claims across the U.S.
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we welcome your call at 1-800-562-9830 to learn how we can help.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that affects about 5 million Americans.
Patients suffer intense pain and aching in the muscles and soft tissues throughout the body including specific tender points. Symptoms also include fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression or anxiety.
The Pains of Proving Fibromyalgia
While the disease is identifiable medically, it can be difficult to prove legally in a Social Security Disability case. Anyone who comes in contact with patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) knows its disabling effects. However, much about the disease remains unknown. One Social Security Judge referred to it as a “pervading mystery – its cause, duration and functional limitations.” These cases can be won as Social Security claims if the symptoms and the functional effects are made clear to social security.
Fibromyalgia cannot be established by an objective test such as X-ray, CT Scan or MRI. There is no lab test to demonstrate it, though there are promising breakthroughs on brain imaging. FMS is only diagnosed by documenting the patient’s pain at certain “tender points” on the body, and correlating this information with reports of depression and sleeplessness. It is important to record how this debilitating disease impacts the ability to perform ordinary tasks.
Proving Fibromyalgia Can Cause Permanent Disability
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a leading cause of Social Security Disability and Long Term Disability Insurance Claims. Anyone who comes in contact with patients with FMS knows its disabling effects. However, much about the disease remains unknown. One Social Security Judge referred to it as a “pervading mystery – its cause, duration and functional limitations.” These cases can be won if the symptoms and the functional effects are made clear to the social security judge or the disability insurance company.