Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by severe, protracted chronic pain that may be ongoing for longer than six months. The duration and severity of the symptoms differ. Some individuals compare it to stinging, “pins and needles,” or feeling like their arm or leg is being squeezed. Even if the damage may have just affected a finger or toe, the pain may spread to the entire arm or leg. If you need help filing a claim, reach out to a disability claims attorney today.
Types of complex regional pain syndrome:
The syndrome is classified into CRPS types 1 and 2, formerly termed causalgia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Both kinds of CRPS often develop after trauma, but the crucial distinction is that type 2 CRPS has a specific nerve injury, whereas type 1 CRPS does not. This distinction is vital because chronic pain is deemed neuropathic in the latter type and nociceptive in the former, even though both types may be two different ends of a range.
Proving complex regional pain syndrome:
Knowing what evidence your insurance company will recognize most when examining your CRPS disability claim is essential if you want to increase the likelihood that your long-term disability application will be approved. Even though it can be challenging to demonstrate that CRPS is a disabling condition, there are ways to support your claim with facts.
Evidence of a CRPS diagnosis:
For any long-term disability, your insurance provider will need objective documentation of the diagnosis. Visiting your doctor is the first step to getting a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Your doctor will probably take a look at thorough medical records and perform a complete physical exam.
Your doctor could suggest testing to rule out alternate causes of your symptoms, such as Lyme disease, arthritis, neuropathy, or muscle disease because other illnesses might show symptoms that are similar to yours. There may be other tests like bone scans, MRI, X-Ray, and Sympathetic Nervous System Tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Adequate treatment as recommended by the doctor:
For long-term disability benefits to be approved, almost all disability insurance policies demand that you undergo adequate treatment. Your insurance provider will demand evidence that you are making sincere efforts to get better.
Final thoughts:
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a crippling and frequently misunderstood illness. As a result, obtaining long-term disability benefits might be challenging. A competent long-term disability insurance attorney knows how to help you and what your insurance provider needs as evidence.
