Published by Programme B
Many people are forced to apply for disability each year due to injury or illness. Out of these many disability applications received by the government, a relatively small percentage of these claims is approved.
The reasons for disability claim denials vary from one situation to another, but there are a number of common themes. Six common reasons for disability claim denials are as follows:
Absence of Medical Documentation
Many applicants for disability fail to provide solid documentation of medical issues. The main prerequisite for obtaining disability benefits is the inability to work due to illness or injury. You will not be able to prove this without hard evidence of the medical condition that is responsible for your disability.
The medical records provided by your doctor will be important to the process. This fact makes it important to take part in regular discussions with your physician regarding the effect your medical condition has on your ability to work.
You should include any paperwork given to you by a doctor that excuses you from work. Also, include any documents that suggest you refrain from certain types of work. If you were employed at the time of your disability and were forced to miss work after your illness or injury, provide a written record of how much work time was missed. If you are filing a claim for an injury or illness that happened during military service, you may wish to get in touch with someone like Stone Rose Law, who can help you get everything you need in order to make a claim so that you give yourself the best chance of getting the benefits you need to be able to live comfortably now that you have returned from service.
Past Denials
Many disability applicants mistakenly believe their chances of success are improved if they file a new disability claim rather than appeal a claim that has been denied. This is not the truth. Many new claims are denied once the person reviewing the claim realizes benefits were denied in the past.
In the long run, you will be much better off, enduring the appeals process than you would be filing a new claim if the initial claim you filed was denied.
Investigator Information
Insurance companies will in some instances become skeptical of your disability claim. They are also more than willing to put money and resources into uncovering evidence that you are not as injured or ill as you claim. In this article from Preszler Law of Vancouver, Dairn Shane warns that insurance companies can use information gleaned from your Facebook account against you in court, such as disputing the validity of your disability claim. This means you should exercise caution with the photos and information you post to social media accounts.
Insurance companies have also been known to employ private investigators to follow individuals who filed disability claims. So you should also be careful not to be seen performing actions in public that would contradict your injury for long term disability claim.
Ignoring Treatment Protocol
Failure to follow the treatment guidelines given to you by your doctor can cause considerable damage to your disability claim. The argument from the insurance company will be that an accurate determination as to your ability to work is not discernible if you refuse to cooperate with medical instructions.
If you possess a valid reason for not following orders given to you by a doctor and your claim is denied for this reason, you will have the opportunity to discuss your reason for not following doctor’s orders during the appeals process. At this point, it is probably necessary for you to employ the services of a lawyer familiar with disability claims.
Lack of Cooperation
It is quite likely the process of filing a disability claim will sometimes become frustrating for you. However, it is imperative to remain cooperative throughout the process. Not showing up for medical exams or failure to provide the requested information to the appropriate people is a sure way to have your disability claim rejected. Make sure you remain in constant contact with your case manager and cooperate throughout every step of the process.
Fraudulent Claims
It should go without saying that you should not attempt to gain disability benefits through fraud. Fraudulent claims will most likely be denied. And if by chance you are able to obtain disability benefits in a fraudulent manner, they will be discontinued if this fraud is ever uncovered. You may also face criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Disability fraud is a serious crime that is simply not worth the potential consequences.
Due to illness and injury, many disability claims are filed on a yearly basis. The reality is, a relatively small percentage of applicants are granted disability benefits. There are a variety of reasons your disability claim can be denied. The article above discusses six of the most common reasons.