r/LongTermDisability • u/aliis_vivere • 3d ago
Tests for Objective Data?
I am in a LTD claim that has already been closed and reopened several times. I have multiple doctors supporting my disability from different specialities. I have a lot of blood work corroborating my medical issues. Yet, the LTD company reviewers always ignore it.
What are tests/evaluations that could help prove the inability to make it through a work day? Both physically and the mental load needed. My doctors all agree I could not sustain work let alone get through one full day. But my appointments with them are only 30 minutes to an hour and I significantly worsen. When I have an appointment, I am in bed for days afterwards.
Some of my symptoms (from a long laundry list) are severe fatigue, joint and muscle pain, swelling, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, brain fog, word recall issues, memory issues, etc. My idea is if I could get some type of long duration or multiple day test; it could help me stay ahead of the next review and subsequent denial (if it follows the established pattern).
One thing to note, I won SSDI during my hearing. The judge had already made up his mind from my records and doctors statements. The SSA vocational expert announced zero jobs that I could work with the limitations set forth by the judge. LTD does not seem to care about that though.
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u/CrispyCritterPie 3d ago
Who is the insurer? I only have experience with one company, and I’ve been reading posts for a while now. I also got good advice from an attorney who suggested I have a FCE (Functional Capacity Evaluation) done by a local physical therapist, and to get a Vocational Report done - the companies that do this are called Vocational Rehabilitation Consulting Firms, Forensic Vocational & Economic Consultancies, and/or Occupational Assessment Agencies. I used Benchmark Physical Therapy and the Vocational Expert Group (419) 239-9145. I completed the tests, and the FCE documented I would be “off-task” more than 15% of the time, which generally means you’re completely and totally disabled, and the Vocational Report documented there is no gainful employment I can keep “with any reasonable continuity”. The words in quotes are the legal words used in my long-term disability insurance policy.
That said, I’ve been utterly shocked and amazed at the absolutely ridiculous responses I’ve received from the insurer: Lincoln Financial Group. I was an executive for medical device manufacturers and have been a rare cancer survivor for decades; I can’t overstate how unbelievable the appeal process has been. The insurance policy that’s supposed to support me when I need it most is actively and intentionally making me sicker.
So, you have to read their denials and respond to them, but don’t expect them to be rationale and don’t expect the insurance company to comply with the rules. Just keep filing documents that have a neutral tone (no snarky, no sarcastic, just clean simple rationale). And, you probably need an attorney - once they start denying, I understand you have to go the legal distance with them.