If you need to file for long term disability because of epilepsy, it鈥檚 important to know beforehand how best to corroborate your claim (e.g. through medical evidence, proof of treatment, etc.). That way you鈥檒l have the best chance of approval with your insurance company.
Here鈥檚 what you need to know before filing your epilepsy long term disability claim.
Whether your insurance company will consider your epilepsy a disability will depend on a few factors. They will want to understand the symptoms you experience due to your epilepsy, both physical and cognitive. To get approved for long term disability, your symptoms must prevent with enough severity and frequency to prevent you from working in your occupation. This means not only must your claim include all of your symptoms 鈥� it should also describe the demands of your occupation.
An epilepsy diagnosis alone will not be enough for your insurance company. After all, some people with milder forms of epilepsy, such as Idiopathic Generalized, are able to function without issue. However, other types鈥攕uch as the most commonly diagnosed form, Symptomatic Partial鈥攃an make it difficult to perform daily activities, including work.
In order to receive disability benefits for your epilepsy, your insurance company will need a full accounting of your symptoms and the ways they prevent you from working.
When preparing your disability claim, don鈥檛 limit yourself only to the physical symptoms of epilepsy 鈥� make sure any cognitive impairments are represented as well. These can be just as disabling as any physical limitations.
Studies have also shown a strong link between epilepsy and psychological disorders like depression and anxiety, as some of the brain areas responsible for certain types of seizures also affect emotional stability and mood. These secondary emotional symptoms can be disabling as well.
Think of how your condition prevents you from working in specific ways. With epilepsy, seizures can come at any time 鈥� for example, in the middle of an important business presentation or during a telephone call with a new client. Uncontrollable jerking of the limbs might make it impossible to perform your job duties, whether it鈥檚 typing on a computer, handling tools, or interpersonal meetings. Extreme fatigue and headaches might cause you to frequently use sick days.
Your epilepsy may be exacerbated by your work environment. Stress can trigger epileptic seizures, so a demanding job may worsen your condition significantly. Sleep deprivation is another very common trigger - if you work long hours that require late nights and early mornings, it could be very detrimental to your health and cause you to experience more seizures than you would otherwise.
Your epilepsy may also directly cause you to experience severe emotional problems, such as depression or anxiety, that leave you unable to perform your job as needed.
To get approved for long term disability, your insurance company will require proof of your condition, symptoms, and impact on your job performance. This evidence can come in a few forms: proof of diagnosis; additional testing; proof of appropriate treatment; and personal documentation.
Your long term disability insurance company will require proof of your epilepsy diagnosis for your long term disability claim.
Testing used to diagnose epilepsy and determine the cause of seizures may include:
Additional epilepsy tests include:
Accurate diagnosis of your seizure type and its severity level gives you the best chance for long term disability approval.
The most important thing you can do is submit a . Your doctor鈥檚 report should focus on the frequency and severity of your symptoms; positive physical examination findings; direct observations of you during office visits; and the specific restrictions and limitations that prevent you from working.
When evaluating a disability claim due to epilepsy, the insurance company will want to see you鈥檙e receiving appropriate treatment. Should the insurance company believe you are not seeking appropriate or frequent enough care, they can use that as an excuse to deny your claim.
Since there is no cure for epilepsy, the purpose of treatment is to prevent seizures and effectively control any other symptoms through the use of pharmaceuticals. Some people have a type of epilepsy that is resistant to anti-seizure drug therapy; in these cases, surgical intervention may be an option, though surgery comes with many serious risks, such as memory problems, sight loss, and stroke.
While objective medical evidence will hold the most weight with your insurance company, medical records do not always give the full picture of your symptoms, your occupation, or how your condition impairs you from performing your job duties.
As such, it can be helpful to prepare a written, detailed narrative for the insurance company that explains how your individual symptoms prevent you from working. Make sure your narrative addresses each of your symptoms by listing them separately. Also cite your specific job duties, and exactly how your symptoms interfere with performing them.
It also may be helpful to keep a to provide to your insurance company. Your journal can include the exact date and time of your epilepsy episodes; your other physical and cognitive symptoms; what, if anything triggers your symptoms; and the effects of your symptoms. Your symptom journal or diary can help your insurance company understand the frequency and severity of your epilepsy episodes 鈥� making it easier to prove your long term disability.
These supportive pieces of evidence can go a long way in helping to prove your epilepsy long term disability claim.
For epilepsy disability claim, it is advised you consult with a disability attorney. An experienced long term disability insurance attorney can help. They will understand how best to substantiate your epilepsy claim with evidence your insurance company is looking for and significantly increase your chances of approval.
If you suffer from epilepsy and are seeking to file for disability, talk to the New York disability lawyers at about filing a claim for long term disability insurance. We know what evidence LTD insurance companies find persuasive and are prepared to help you make the most convincing claim possible. To arrange for a consultation with lawyers at Riemer Hess, call us at 212-297-0700.