Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Do I Qualify For Disability Insurance Benefits If I Have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome to get the disability benefits they deserve.

How Do Disability Carriers View Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Disability Claims?

Many disability claims for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are denied because the disability insurance company says:

1. There is no objective basis of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosis,
2. There is no objective basis for the restrictions and limitations assigned by your physician, or
3. There is no causal relationship between your Ehlers-Danlos 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 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She overcomes a claims denial by working closely with you and your physician.

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

What Is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

Connective tissue provides strength and elasticity to the structures of the body.  Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, an inherited disorder, affects the connective tissue, in particular the skin, joints and blood vessels. A severe form is vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which causes ruptures in the walls of blood vessels, the intestines, or the uterus.

What Are The Symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

Signs and symptoms, which vary from person to person, can include:

• Overly flexible joints,
• Stretchy skin,
• Fragile skin resulting in poor healing wounds and skin infections,
• Fatty lumps of pressure points,
• Fatigue,
• Joint and muscle pain,
• Joint damage and limited mobility, and
• Impaired vision.

These symptoms can make it difficult, if not impossible, to work.

What Are The Complications Of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

More often than not, it’s the complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that are key to winning your claim. These complications can include joint dislocations and the early onset of arthritis as a result of overly flexible joints. Fragile skin can result in cuts and wounds that are difficult to heal. Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can result in ruptures of major blood vessels.

How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can interfere with your daily activities and with your ability to work.  For example, you may have joint dislocations, or you may have difficulty walking or using your hands as a result of your overly flexible joints.

If you no longer can work or your doctor has told you to apply for disability benefits, you should take steps before you apply:

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 and if there are limitations in your coverage.
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 if your Ehlers-Danlos syndrome 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 an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diary that explains and gives examples of how your symptoms interfere with your ability to do things on a daily basis and the side effects of your medication.
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. 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

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and its complications 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 at727-477-3263.