Medical Conditions

We have extensive experience in assisting clients with a wide range of medical conditions, including, but not limited to, the following:

IBS

IBS is a multipfaceted medical condition that causes gastrointestinal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms at unpredictable intervals. Proving your disability due to irritable bowel syndrome can be a challenging process because the insurance company often ignores how irritable bowel syndrome can disrupt your day to day life, arguing that the symptoms you experience can be managed easily with regular breaks. Medical records and logs can help defeat these arguments; let us help you show the insurance company how they are wrong.

Chrons Disease & Ulcerative Collitis

Both Chrons and Ulcerative can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. Other symptoms of ulcerative colitis specifically include: Rectal bleeding, Rectal pain, Urgency to defecate, Inability to defecate despite urgency, and Fevers. Although the symptoms of these conditions can be severe, the insurance company often argues that they are easily managed and do not disrupt your ability to work on a full time basis. But we can help you show them why they are wrong with the right mix of testing, medical records and other evidence.

TBI/Cognitive Issues

In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic brain injury, physical symptoms like pain, headache, nausea, loss of consciousness and confusion might be evident. The long lasting effects of a TBI can be more insidious, like unpredictable mood, migraines, and even cognitive decline. The insurance company will often deny these claims, arguing that this no objective proof of your cognitive difficulties, or that any issues stem purely from conditions like depression or anxiety, rather than your TBI. If this happens to you, we can help you obtain the appropriate objective testing to tell your story loud and clear.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a poorly understood medical condition that causes the perception of sound in the ears or head when there is no external source. It can sound like ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling, humming, clicking, hissing, or squealing. The sounds can be soft or loud, and may come and go or be ongoing. These symptoms can be incredibly disruptive, but the insurance company will often deny your claim, stating that there is no objective proof of any limitations due to your subjective symptoms. Objective testing and specific opinions from your doctors can help. Let us help you show the insurance company just how disruptive your condition can be.

Arthritis

Although there are many forms of arthritis including rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, all types can cause pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty using joints. But the insurance company will often deny these claims, arguing that even if you have symptoms, they are not severe enough to prevent you from performing your occupational duties. Objective testing can help you show what your limitations are and prove that you cannot work.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a nerve problem that causes pain, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness and other symptoms. It can be caused by injury, diabetes, or a number of other complicated factors. If you suffer from neuropathy, the insurance company might argue that your ability to work is not limited because your pain or other limitations are subjective. Testing can help prove that you have objective limitations; let us help you tell your story to the insurance company.

Long COVID

Long COVID is defined as a chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months. Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worse, or be ongoing. Because this is a relatively new condition, the insurance companies are skeptical about disability claims caused by Long COVID. But we have found ways to objectively document the ways this condition limit and restrict our clients through testing that is relevant to their symptoms. If you cannot work due to Long COVID, be prepared to prove your case with medical evidence.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a general term for a variety of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. Some types of heart disease include Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Arteriosclerosis, Congenital Heat Disease, and Heart Disease. Symptoms include:

  • Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort, called angina;
  • Shortness of breath;
  • Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly or back; and
  • Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed.

Getting approve for disability benefits due to your heat disease hinges on your ability to document the severity of your symptoms and the ways they limit you. The insurance company will not just take your word for it and a diagnosis alone is not enough to prove your claim. An attorney with experience proving disability due to heart disability will be able to help you document the severity and impact of your symptoms.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s is a chronic and degenerative brain disease with no cure. This disease predominately affects the dopamine producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. This causes both motor and non-motor symptoms, including:

  • Slowed movements;
  • Tremor while muscles are at rest;
  • Rigidity or stiffness;
  • Unstable posture or gait;
  • Cramped or small handwriting;
  • Drooling and trouble swallowing;
  • Unusually soft spoken;
  • Sleep problems;
  • Trouble thinking and focusing.

Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease is mostly a clinical process, meaning it relies heavily on a healthcare provider examining your symptoms, asking questions and reviewing your medical history. Some diagnostic and lab tests are possible, but these are usually needed to rule out other conditions or certain causes. Because of the lack of objective testing, the insurance companies may scrutinize your claim and deny it. We have experience proving that our client’s with Parkinson’s Disease have restrictions and limitations that keep them from being able to work.

POTS

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a debilitating form of chronic orthostatic intolerance that causes substantial impairment in quality of life and function. It is a chronic condition that causes an abnormally rapid increase in heart rate when standing up, and this can lead to dizziness, imbalance, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, fainting, and more. A tilt table test is the main way providers diagnoses POTS. The tilt table test measures your heart rate and blood pressure as you change posture and position. People with POTS may struggle to prove their disability claims because the insurance company doctors may say their symptoms aren’t severe enough or that there are sedentary level jobs they could do. We have experience proving that our clients with POTS cannot do their own or any occupation.

Lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic medical condition characterized by a symmetric buildup of adipose tissue (fat) in the legs and arms. A common but under recognized disorder, Lipedema may cause pain, swelling, easy bruising, and fatigue. It may be accompanied by an unusual texture within the fat that can feel like rice, peas, or walnuts beneath the surface of the skin. The intensity of pain may range from none to severe, and its frequency may be constant, come and go, or only occur when the fat is pushed on. Because your symptoms may fluctuate, the insurance company may focus only on what you can do on “good days” and ignore the debilitating impacts of your condition when flare ups suddenly arise. Also, limited public awareness of Lipedema, coupled with few research-backed treatments, can lead to insurance denials. We have experience winning disability benefits for clients with Lipedema, even when their pain and other symptoms come and go.

Respiratory Conditions

Respiratory disorders, or lung diseases, include asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, lung cancer, mesothelioma, pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and tuberculosis. These conditions restrict your ability to breathe. Symptoms may include wheezing, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, persistent cough, tight chest, fatigue, and inability to sleep. Some ways to document the severity of your condition and symptoms is by undergoing a pulmonary function test (PFT), arterial blood gas study (ABG), and 6-minute walk test. Without objective proof of your symptoms, the insurance company will likely deny your claim. We have experience overcoming the burden of proof required for proving disability due to respiratory conditions.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) is a disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) that can cause sometimes be disabling. MS symptoms vary widely depending on the location and severity of disease-related damage to the brain and spinal cord. People with severe MS can lose the ability to walk independently. Others MS symptoms include visions issues, fatigue, vertigo, cognitive dysfunction, and slurred speech. Some people with MS experience periods of remission during which their symptoms can partially or even completely improve for a short period of time. Insurance companies sometimes try to use the fact that someone’s MS is in remission as evidence that the person’s MS has improved and is no longer disabling. We have helped many people obtain disability benefits based on Multiple Sclerosis and know what evidence is needed to show that MS can still be disabling even during periods of remission.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis (“AS”) is a progressive and incurable inflammatory arthritis that affects a person’s spine and sacroiliac joints. People who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis often develop problems with chronic pain and fatigue which is sometimes so severe that it becomes disabling. Ankylosing Spondylitis sometimes causes a person’s vertebrae to fuse together, causing range of motion and mobility issues. People with disabling AS sometimes run into issues trying to prove to the insurance company that their AS-related pain and fatigue are disabling. The Buchanan Disability Team is experienced in handling claims based on Ankylosing Spondylitis and has helped many people find the evidence needed to support their claim.

Vascular Disease

Vascular disorders are a class of diseases that affect a person’s circulatory system (vessels, arteries, and veins) and lymphatic vessels. This class of disease includes chronic venous insufficiency, Deep Vein Thrombosis (“DVT”), renal artery stenosis, Raynaud’s Syndrome, and vasculitis. People with these conditions commonly experience issues with chronic pain, hypersensitivity to hot or cold, immunodeficiency, chronic swelling in the upper and lower extremities, amongst others. We have helped many people obtain benefits for their disabling vascular disease and with finding the best evidence to support their claim.

Urinary Issues

Urinary disorders, also known as urologic diseases, include a variety of conditions that affect the urinary system, including Urinary Tract Infections (“UTI’s”), kidney stones, and interstitial cystitis. While most urinary diseases will cause people to experience mild and mitigatable symptoms, there are many that can become chronic and disabling. People with disabling urinary disorders often have issues with focus and concentration because of severe pain. People also commonly experience issues with bladder continence and urgency, which makes it hard to adhere to any type of consistent work schedule. The Buchanan Disability Team has helped many people with disabling urinary disorders obtain disability benefits and the evidence needed to support their claim.

CIRS (“Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome”)

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (“CIRS” is an autoimmune disorder that sometimes develops in people who have been repeatedly exposed to certain bacteria, molds, and toxins. People with CIRS can experience a wide-variety of different physical and cognitive issues, including chronic fatigue, severe pain, brain fog, cognitive impairments, as well as immunodeficiency issues. Not a lot is known about CIRS or how to treat it, and, unfortunately, many people with CIRS are misdiagnosed as having another condition with similar symptomology or not given a diagnosis at all. Not only does this prevent someone from getting the right treatment, it can lead the insurance company to deny the person’s disability claim. The Buchanan Disability team is experienced in handling CIRS claims and with helping people obtain the testing and treatment needed to confirm their diagnosis.

Cancer

Going through the disability process while navigating cancer care and treatment can be very difficult. Let us help you with your disability claim while you focus on your health. We understand that insurance companies like to target claimants who are in remission. We know how to prove your disability claim while you have cancer and after your treatments. Cancer treatments cause many side effects that insurance companies ignore. Let us help you win your disability claim.

Mental Health Conditions

There are many mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Insurance companies commonly dismiss mental health conditions as nondisabling. We can help prove your case by obtaining testing and any other applicable evidence to prove your claim.

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that affects your joints by causing painful swelling and inflammation. Gout is commonly seen as a condition that is not disabling by insurance companies as they argue that it is only limiting during “gout flares.” We can help you prove your disability claim by obtaining objective evidence showing that your gout is painful and disabling even when you are not having a flare up. And that “gout flares” can last for weeks at a time causing you to be unable to perform your occupational duties.

Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and thickening and hardening of the skin. There are multiple different types of Scleroderma that cause different symptoms that affect a claimant. Scleroderma is not a very common condition, but here at Eric Buchanan & Associates, our disability team understands the intricacies of Scleroderma and how to prove your disability claim. Let us help prove your claim by obtaining objective evidence of your condition through applicable testing such as functional capacity evaluations and hand testing.

Hunington’s Disease

Hunington’s Disease is an inherited disease that causes nerve cells in the brain to deteriorate and die. It can cause uncontrollable movements, abnormal postures, difficulty walking, talking and difficulty with reasoning, as well as many other symptoms. Hunington’s Disease is often misunderstood by insurance companies as it is a rare disease that insurance companies are unfamiliar with. We can help make sure that the insurance company understands the disabling symptoms that Hunington’s Disease causes by proving your claim through diagnostic testing and other objective tests identifying your specific restrictions and limitations.

Thyroid Issues

There are many different thyroid conditions that affect claimants. These include hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, parathyroid conditions, and many other conditions. These conditions affect every claimant differently, but many common side effects are fatigue, weight loss or gain, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, vision issues, joint and muscle pain, swelling, as well as other symptoms. Insurance companies often overlook thyroid issues as they believe that all thyroid issues can be controlled by medication and are not disabling. Here are Eric Buchanan & Associates we know that is not true. Let us fight for you by proving your thyroid condition affects your ability to perform your occupational demands.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties often referred to as “fibro fog.” These symptoms can profoundly impact work duties, or even daily life, making fibromyalgia a disabling condition for many. Yet insurance companies often argue it is entirely subjective or that claimants can work despite their symptoms. Getting medical records that document objective clinical exams as well as functional testing can be key to fighting back.

DDD

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) results from either the natural wear and tear or acute injury of the intervertebral discs in the spine. In either case, it can lead to pain, reduced mobility, neuropathy and other neurological symptoms that can impair someone’s ability to concentrate or perform work duties throughout the day. Surgery can sometimes help, but sometimes does not, or the relief is temporary, and DDD is a common reason people seek disability benefits. Insurance companies often quibble with whether the disease is severe enough to be disabling, or argue that most people should be able to go back to work after a surgery. Proving disability often involves some combination of treating doctor opinions, functional testing, personal statements, and objective imaging.

Carpel and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

These common conditions result from nerve compression at either the wrist or the elbow and can lead to significant hand and finger pain, as well as numbness and tingling. This can make it difficult to perform work duties that require grasping objects or performing fine motor tasks like typing. While surgery can often help, sometimes it does not, and other times it can make the problem worse. But insurance companies often refuse to see CTS as disabling, or argue that the surgery fixed the issue even when it did not. Proving disability often includes getting nerve conduction studies/EMGs, treating doctor opinions, and functional hand testing.

Lupus

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, causing widespread inflammation and damage. Symptoms often vary widely among individuals, but often include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, fever, cognitive impairment, and organ dysfunction, and people often have good days and bad days. Insurers target these claims because medical records and claimant reports often note temporary improvement, which they then point to when saying claimants are no longer disabled. Countering this often involves symptom logs, personal statements, functional and cognitive testing, and treating doctor opinions.