Disability insurance companies don’t always make it easy for policyholders who have eye and visual problems to get the disability benefits they deserve. Not every eye or visual problem will qualify for disability benefits.
How Do Disability Carriers View Eye and Visual Disability Claims?
You will have to show profound visual changes and overcome the carrier’s argument that you have been working with these problems for years and nothing has changed.
Carriers also frequently contend that accommodations can be made to allow you to continue to work.
Many disability claims for eye and visual problems are denied because the disability insurance company says:
(1) There is no objective basis of the eye or visual 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 eye and visual problems and/or your restrictions and limitations, and your inability to do your own or any occupation.
Nancy Cavey has successfully represented many policyholders with eye and visual problems. She overcomes a claims denial by working closely with you and your physician. She often employs a vocational expert to address the disability carrier’s argument that you have been able to work or that you could work with accommodation.
Nancy Cavey offers a free initial consultation and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your disability claim.
What Are The Most Common Disabling Eye and Visual Problems?
More than 40 different types of eye diseases can cause limitations on the ability to see clearly or to see at all. It isn’t uncommon for visual problems to be caused by stroke, seizure, brain injury, neurological problems or vestibular problems.
Eye and visual problems can be broken down into two types:
Low Vision
The term “low vision” or “vision loss” simply means the person has difficulty seeing. The most common causes of low vision are:
- Diabetic retinopathy, where diabetes has damaged the blood vessels in the retina,
- Age-related macular degeneration, where cells in the retina that allow them to see fine details have died,
- Glaucoma, which causes damage to the optic nerve as a result of fluid pressure, and
- Cataracts, which causes clouding of the lens of the eye.
Visual Dysfunction
There are four levels of visual dysfunction:
- Partially sighted,
- Low vision,
- Legally blind, and
- Blind.
Visual dysfunction can be caused by trauma, retinal degeneration, muscular problems, corneal disorders, congenital disorders and even infection.
How Do I Get The Disability Insurance Benefits I Deserve?
Eye and visual problems can interfere with your daily activities and with your ability to work.
If you no longer can work because of eye or visual problems, or if your doctor has told you to apply for disability benefits, you should take steps before you apply:
- 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.
- 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.
- Obtain a copy of your personnel file to see if your eye and visal problems have affected your work performance.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare an eye and visual problems 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.
- 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.
- 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
Eye and visual problems and their 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 at 727-894-3188.
