Cerebral Atrophy

Do I Qualify For Disability Insurance Benefits If I Have Cerebral Atrophy?

Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have cerebral atrophy to get the disability benefits they deserve. Cerebral atrophy, also called brain atrophy, is the loss of neurons in the brain and the connections between them. In other words, it is the wasting away or shrinkage of brain cells and tissue.

The Common Reasons Disability Carriers Deny Cerebral Atrophy Disability Claims

Many claims are denied because the disability insurance company says:

1. There is no objective basis of the cerebral atrophy,
2. There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician, or
3. There is no causal relationship between your cerebral atrophy diagnosis and/or your restrictions and limitations, and your inability to do your own or any occupation.

Nancy Cavey, who has 35 years experience handling disability cases, has successfully represented many policyholders with cerebral atrophy. She overcomes a claims denial by working closely with you and your physician.

She offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.

What Is Cerebral Atrophy?

Atrophy or shrinkage of the brain comes naturally with age. By age 75, your brain is approximately 15% smaller than it was at age 25. Cerebral atrophy is a common feature of many diseases that affect the brain. These diseases include:

• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Pick’s disease
• Huntington disease
• Dementia
• Cerebral palsy
• Krabbe disease
• Kearns syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Encephalitis, and
• AIDS

What Are The Symptoms of Cerebral Atrophy?

Symptoms can include language disorder, progressive impairment of memory and intellectual function, problems with memory, orientation, visual-spatial perception and the ability to learn.

Higher executive functions can be impaired, including planning, organizing and sequencing.

These symptoms also can cause depression or other emotional problems.

Because of the nature of the diseases and symptoms, many with cerebral atrophy are treated by a neurologist. They should undergo neuropsychological testing to objectively document their cognitive problems.

How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?

Cerebral atrophy can make it difficult, if not impossible, to do things around your home and work. If you no longer can work or your doctor has told you to apply for disability, before you apply for benefits, you should:

1. Obtain a copy of your disability policy. See how it defines “disability,” “occupation” and “self-reported conditions.” You’ll need to understand what you have to prove to get your benefits for cerebral atrophy.

Your policy can include a self-reported limitation. It limits how long you can get benefits that result from self-reported symptoms, including problems with memory, speech, planning, organizing and sequencing. You’ll want to know what’s in your policy before you apply for benefits.

2. Obtain a copy of your medical records. Review them to see if there is an objective basis for your diagnosis, what your records say about your report of symptoms and your restrictions and limitations.
3. Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see whether your cerebral atrophy has affected your work performance.
4. Obtain a copy of your job description. Create your own description of your physical duties with an explanation of how your symptoms impact your ability to do your occupation.
5. Provide your doctor with the occupational description. Ask your doctor to prepare a report that explains the objective basis for your diagnosis, the objective basis of your restrictions and limitations, and the objective reasons you can’t perform some or all of the material and substantial duties of your occupation.
6. Prepare a diary that explains your symptoms and the side effects of medication you are taking. Be sure to give examples of how your symptoms interfere with your ability to do things on a daily basis.
7. Hire Nancy Cavey to help you file your initial application. The application process is confusing and designed so you and your physician make mistakes that can result in a delay or even a denial of your benefits. Ms. Cavey knows how to prepare and file a winning shock and awe disability application that leaves the carrier little reason to question your claim.
8. Hire Nancy Cavey to help you appeal a wrongful denial or termination of your disability benefits. Disability carriers are in the business of collecting premiums and not paying disability benefits for cerebral atrophy. They’ll use any reason to deny your claim. The odds of getting your benefits on appeal are greater when you are represented by an experienced ERISA/private ID policy disability attorney.

Contact Disability Attorney Nancy L. Cavey, Who Can Help You Regardless of Where You Live

Cerebral atrophy can make it difficult, if not impossible, to work. You owe it to yourself and your family to get help today! Nancy Cavey can review your policy and your medical records, and explain to you what your policy says and how to get your disability benefits.  Call today for a free consultation at 727-477-3263.