Symptoms Long Term Disability Carriers Expect To See In A Policy Holder’s Medical Records With Lyme Disease

Chronic Lyme disease patients can have a long hard fight to get the disability benefits they deserve. Those with Lyme disease have many debilitating symptoms including severe:

• fatigue,
• anxiety,
• headaches, and
• joint pain.

It’s a complex disease that s difficult to diagnose. Reliable diagnostic studies aren’t available and disability carriers always look for a formal diagnosis of Lyme disease based on the tell tale signs of Lyme disease:

(1) the discovery of a tick on the skin,

(2) a bulls-eye’s patter rash, and

(3) and possible joint pain.

However,  according to the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society, ILADS, points out that only “50-60% of patients recall a tick bite; the rash is seen in only 35-60% of patients; and joint swelling typically occurs in only 20-30% of patients.”

It’s not uncommon for those with Lyme disease to be misdiagnosed during the early stages because Lyme disease is a “great imitator” of other medical conditions. The difficulty in making an accurate diagnosis is just one reason that the disability carrier will claim that there is no objective basis for the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

What About The Symptoms Of Lyme Disease?

I think it’s more difficult for the long term disability carrier to deny a claim for Lyme disease based on the lack of diagnosis or disability if the medical records set forth, in detail, the symptoms of Lyme disease and how those symptoms disable the policy holder. The long term disability carrier is going to expect to see the following:

– Musculoskeletal system

joint pain and swelling

stiffness of joints, including back and neck

muscle pain

twitching of facial and other muscles

 

– Neurological symptoms

persistent and severe headache

numbness or tingling

weakness or partial paralysis

weakness or dizziness

burning or stabbing pains

speech difficulty

 

– Vision Symptoms

blurred or double vision

sensitivity to light

 

– Hearing Symptoms

tinnitus

 

– Psychological Symptoms

mood swings and irritability

depression

anxiety

panic attacks

 

– General Symptoms

extreme fatigue

swollen or painful lymph glands

skin changes including nodules

flu-like symptoms

insomnia or sleeping too much

short or long term memory loss

confusion including difficulty thinking

It is crucial that your initial application document and you medical records thoroughly document your symptoms with real world examples of how these symptoms interfere with your ability to function. Make sure that your physician also explains in your medical records the symptoms that you’re having and the fact that these symptoms correlate with the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

What Should I Do If My Long Term Disability Benefits Claim For Lyme Disease Has Been Denied?

It’s time to contact Lyme Disease attorney Nancy Cavey who can help you get the disability benefits you deserve because of Lyme disease, regardless of where you live in the United States. Call today for your free consultation at 727-894-3188.