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When many people hear the word “disability,” they tend to think of someone with a particular condition that fits their preconceived notion of what it means to be disabled. They may picture a wheelchair or imagine a disability that has obvious physical signs, such as an amputated limb. But there are a wide array of physiological conditions that can impair your ability to function to such an extent that you qualify for disability benefits under the terms of a disability insurance policy. (This is not even counting psychological and psychiatric conditions, which we will address next month.)

In this post, we will review several physical conditions that may qualify you for disability benefits, depending on the terms of your policy. Every policy is unique, of course, and so your ability to receive benefits will hinge on the terms defined in your specific policy, but the conditions described here give you a starting point to consider your potential for coverage. A disability insurance attorney would be able to answer questions about how your policy applies to your specific diagnosis.

Disorders of the Muscles and Joints

The World Health Organization reports that musculoskeletal conditions are the most common source of disabilities throughout the world, affecting roughly 1.71 billion people. Problems with musculoskeletal health impact the performance of muscles, bones, joints, and the tissues that connect them. Disorders of the muscles, joints, bones, and related tissues limit mobility and prevent people from functioning, either temporarily or permanently. Pain and lack of dexterity not only prevent people with these conditions from working, but they also hinder their ability to participate in and enjoy many aspects of life.

Back pain from conditions such as herniated or degenerative discs is probably the most commonly described disability, but musculoskeletal conditions in all parts of the body can interfere with the ability to function. Arthritis, sciatica, scoliosis, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis are some of the muscle, back, and joint disorders that can lead to short or long-term disability. In addition, injuries to the wrist, hand, arm, knee, ankle, and other limbs and digits can make it impossible for many professionals, such as surgeons and other physicians, to do their jobs properly.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Conditions Affecting the Central Nervous System

When the brain or spinal cord is damaged, the impact on the ability to function is profound. These types of injuries affect the ability to control parts of the body and often the ability to reason and concentrate clearly. Conditions that fall under this category include:

• Paralysis
• Epilepsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Eye and ear disorders
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Often, the effects are hard to predict, so someone suffering from a debilitating condition may seem functional one moment and be unable to do anything a moment later.

Cardiovascular Disease

Just as damage to the central nervous system can affect the entire body in numerous ways due to the extensive and critical nature of the system, problems with the circulatory system can also impact the entire body. An aneurysm or stroke can prevent an individual from controlling parts of their body or accessing certain brain functions. A heart attack or coronary artery disease commonly prevents individuals from being able to work for extended periods, although in many cases, with the right rest and treatment, those individuals may be able to recover to the point of resuming work, depending on the doctor’s recommendations.

Cancer and Blood-Related Disorders

A diagnosis of many different types of cancer can often qualify a policyholder for disability benefits, particularly when the cancer has metastasized or requires aggressive treatment. Complications from chemotherapy or radiation treatments can make it difficult, if not impossible, for individuals undergoing treatment to work.

Blood-related disorders such as Sickle-Cell Disease and other forms of anemia can damage the heart and other organs in ways that prevent individuals from concentrating or moving about the way they need to function in their profession.

Respiratory System Disorders

Conditions that impact the body’s ability to absorb sufficient oxygen interfere with the function of the brain and the rest of the body, and can prevent individuals from being able to work, so they should qualify for disability benefits. These disorders include:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Pneumonia
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Even common conditions such as asthma and bronchitis can lead to disability when symptoms are severe or individuals are struggling with additional concurrent problems.

Waste Removal Disorders

Physical conditions that decrease the body’s ability to remove waste can essentially lead to poisoning that can impair bodily functions, including mental abilities. Kidney problems can lead to systemic poisoning. Bladder disorders, prostatitis, and urinary tract infections may not be as damaging overall, but they can lead to painful infections and incontinence, which can make it hard to function in many professions.

Infectious and Parasitic Diseases

Despite the advances in modern medicine, many diseases remain resistant to treatment and can cause severe impairment to bodily functions. If the disease continues to progress, it may interfere with mental functioning as well. Examples of diseases that can qualify for disability benefits include:

• Meningitis
• Intestinal diseases
• Tuberculosis
• Polio
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis
• Lyme disease
• Other viral and bacterial infections

Digestive System Disorders

Although many people manage to function while struggling with digestive system disorders such as Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, there are times when these types of disorders cause such severe dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, or pancreas that they make it impossible to work. Chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and similar disorders can be used to establish eligibility under many long-term disability policies.

Immunity Disorders

Many disorders affect the body’s ability to regulate functions and can lead to conditions that impair an individual’s ability to function adequately at work or even perform daily tasks. They may require extensive treatment and have debilitating symptoms. Some metabolic, regulatory, and immunity disorders that cause a policyholder to become eligible for disability benefits include:

• Diabetes
• Gout
• Lupus
• Endocrine and metabolic diseases
• Thyroid disorders

Nutritional diseases can also lead to debilitating conditions that interfere with the ability to work.

Additional Conditions That Can Lead to Long-Term Disability

The physiological conditions listed above are just a sample of the physical challenges that frequently prevent professionals from performing their duties. There are numerous other disorders, many of which do not fit into particular categories. For instance, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not well defined and considered subjective, yet it can make it nearly impossible for a professional to perform at the high level necessary. It would not be safe, for instance, to have a patient’s vital signs monitored by a nurse anesthetist with sleep apnea. Or an accountant who suffers from debilitating headaches might miss vital information when reviewing critical financial data.

When a Physical Condition Interferes with Your Profession, Seltzer & Associates Will Work with Your Disability Insurer to Help You Get the Benefits You’re Entitled To

Disability insurers often make it very difficult to get claims approved and receive the benefits you deserve under your policy. They may insist that your condition is not serious enough to interfere with your functioning, or they might deny that your condition even qualifies for coverage.

At Seltzer & Associates, we’ve dedicated our practice to helping professionals across the U.S. obtain the benefits they’re entitled to under their short-term and long-term disability insurance policies. We invite you to call us at 888-699-4222 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to learn how we may be able to assist in your situation.