Peripheral Neuropathy Disability Insurance Benefits Claim

View Disability Cases Involving Peripheral Neuropathy Disability Insurance Benefits Claim

Disability insurance carriers often challenge a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. How can disability insurance attorneys Dell & Schaefer assist you?

As disability attorneys, Dell & Schaefer have represented numerous long term disability claimants that have been unable to work as a result of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy itself is not a disease, but rather a symptom with many potential causes. It is not uncommon that a treating physician cannot identify the exact cause of the neuropathy. As a result of the difficulty in obtaining objective evidence to verify an individual’s diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, many disability insurance companies will wrongfully deny long-term disability claims on the basis that there is no objective evidence to support the claimant’s subjective complaints.

It is not a requirement to have objective evidence in order to prove peripheral neuropathy is disabling. Our lawyers have worked closely with our client’s treating physicians, family members, and past co-workers in order to properly document the complaints that cause disabling restrictions and limitations. In some cases medical test such as Electromyography (EMG), nerve conductions studies (NCS), nerve biopsy, CT scan, or MRI can verify peripheral neuropathy

Disability Insurance Attorneys Dell & Schaefer have an expansive understanding of the significant restrictions and limitations that a person suffering with peripheral neuropathy must live with on a daily basis. We have worked closely with top physicians in order to sufficiently satisfy a disability carrier’s threshold of evidence necessary to prove that a client is disabled by peripheral neuropathy.

Not everyone suffering from suffering with peripheral neuropathy qualifies for long-term disability benefits; therefore the medical records of each client must be reviewed to determine the level of restrictions. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your long-term disability claim. You can contact us for a free initial consultation.

Peripheral neuropathy is caused by nerve damage. Your nervous system is divided into two categories. Your central nervous system consists of your brain and spinal cord. All of the other nerves in your body are part of your peripheral nervous system. Peripheral neuropathy affects those nerves, which include: sensory nerves (which are responsible for receiving feelings such as heat, pain or touch), motor nerves (which control how your muscles move) and autonomic nerves (that control such automatic functions as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion and bladder function).
There are several contributing factors to peripheral neuropathy including:

• Diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy. When damage occurs to several nerves, often the cause is diabetes. 50% of all diabetics will develop peripheral neuropathy.
• Trauma or nerve pressure. Traumas, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls or sports injuries, can sever or damage peripheral nerves. Nerve pressure can result from using a cast or crutches, spending a long periods of time in an abnormal position, or a prolonged repetitive motion, such as typing.
• Vitamin deficiencies. B vitamins, vitamin E and niacin are essential to nerve health and any lack of these vitamins can contribute to peripheral neuropathy.
• Alcoholism. Many alcoholics develop peripheral neuropathy due to poor dietary habits, which leads to vitamin deficiencies.
• Infections. Certain viral or bacterial infections can cause peripheral neuropathy, including Lyme disease, shingles, Epstein-Barr, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.
• Genetic diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and amyloid polyneuropathy.
• Autoimmune diseases. These include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
• Other diseases. Kidney disease, liver disease and an underactive thyroid also can cause peripheral neuropathy.
• Tumors. Growths can form directly on the nerves themselves, or tumors can exert pressure on surrounding nerves. Both cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign) tumors can contribute to peripheral neuropathy.
• Exposure to poisons and toxins. These may include toxic substances, such as heavy metals, and certain medications, especially those used to treat cancer, such as chemotherapy.

How the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can be disabling

People affected by peripheral neuropathy may begin to feel a gradual onset of numbness and tingling in their hands and feet, which may spread into their legs and arms. Many disability claimants complain of debilitating pain which varies throughout the day based upon activity.

Claimants typically describe the pain as a burning sensation but they may also feel the pain more acutely suffering from sharp, jabbing pain. Some people experience an extreme sensitivity to touch. If a person’s motor nerves are affected they may experience a lack of coordination, muscle weakness or even paralysis. If a person’s autonomic nerves are affected they may suffer bowel or bladder problems.

Because a person may suffer from reduced feeling in parts of their body they are less likely to feel temperature changes, or be aware of injuries they may suffer.
One goal of treatment is to manage the condition causing the neuropathy. If the underlying cause is corrected, the neuropathy often improves on its own.

Another objective of treatment is to relieve the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy. Many types of medications can be used to relieve the pain of peripheral neuropathy including over the counter and prescription pain relievers. Anti-seizure medications normally used to treat epilepsy have been found to help relieve nerve pain. Lidocain patches are used to treat specific areas of the body where a person’s pain is most severe.

Antidepressants, originally prescribed to treat depression have been found to be most useful in relieving pain by interfering with the chemical processes in the brain and spinal cord that cause you to feel pain. In transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, (TENS) therapy, adhesive electrodes are placed on the skin and a mild electric current is delivered through the electrodes at varying frequencies. TENS therapy has to be done frequently, but some people report this therapy improves their symptoms.

Resources

There are many valuable sources of peripheral neuropathy information available. You can also access resources over the internet such as:

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke
• The Neuropathy Association – A national non-profit organization serving the peripheral neuropathy community
• The Foundation For Peripheral Neuropathy

Not everyone suffering from suffering with peripheral neuropathy qualifies for long-term disability benefits; therefore the medical records of each client must be reviewed to determine the level of restrictions. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your long-term disability claim. You can contact us for a free initial consultation.

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