According to the Mayo Clinic, peripheral neuropathy (PN) results from nerve damage outside the central nervous system. PN often affects the hands and feet, though it could theoretically affect any periphery nerve system. There are many possible causes of PN, and insurance companies may seize on that variety to deny long-term disability benefits.
What are the possible causes of peripheral neuropathy?
Generally speaking, there are three general causes of peripheral neuropathy:
- Medical reasons: Some people may have a medical condition that can damage their nerves over time.
- Behavioral causes: Peripheral neuropathy has been connected with substance abuse.
- Environmental causes: Often, unsafe living or working conditions can expose a person to damaging toxins.
The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy, however, is diabetes.
“Lifestyle” denials
In one of the most famous cases of peripheral neuropathy, musician Eric Clapton was diagnosed with the condition in 2013. According to interviews with him over the years, he began feeling the “electric shocks” of PN symptoms in his lower back. Other symptoms include:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Paralysis
- Sensitivity to touch
Clapton clearly considers his lifestyle as a rock star as a contributing factor in the condition that has come close to ending his music career.
However, policy language in your employer’s healthcare and long-term disability policy may make it more difficult to successfully get benefits if an addiction caused the condition. It’s possible even to face a long uphill battle to get the coverage you deserve.
Getting assistance with your disability claim
If you have an employer-supplied disability insurance policy, you shouldn’t have to fight to get those benefits, no matter the circumstances of your disability. A skilled ERISA long-term disability lawyer can help get the issues with your claim resolved quickly and allow you to receive the benefits you deserve.