Info Library

Introduction

Mast cell activation syndrome (commonly known as “MCAS”) is a chronic medical condition that can lead to long term disability.  MCAS is caused by your body’s mast cells overproducing chemicals called “mediators.”  The mast cell mediators induce symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as skin hives, low/high blood pressure, wheezing, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock.  These MCAS reactions are often triggered by exposure to environmental factors.

MCAS is not a well understood condition in the medical community, and while there are various treatment options, there is currently no cure.  If you have MCAS, you may experience symptoms with enough severity and frequency to interfere with your ability to work.

You may be wondering:  Can you file for long term disability due to your MCAS?  What will you need to have a successful MCAS long term disability claim?

Below we’ll answer those questions and more.

Is POTS Syndrome a disability?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, commonly referred to as “POTS”, is a type of dysautonomia that may be disabling in individuals who have it.  Dysautonomia is an autonomic nervous system disorder that causes problems with regulating heartrate, blood pressure, digestion, and other functions, leading to fainting, dizziness, and other symptoms.  POTS is most often characterized by a markedly increased heartrate when moving from the supine (prone) position to standing.

While POTS may be a sole diagnosis, often it is found alongside other conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (“EDS”) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (“CFS”).

Many people are able to live and function normally with POTS; others, however, experience debilitating symptoms that may prevent them from working.  Obtaining long term disability benefits for POTS can be complicated due to the relative lack of understanding of this condition by the medical community.

If you are considering filing for long term disability due to POTS, here is what you need to know.

On July 26, 2021, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services issued new guidance categorizing long COVID as a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

Below, we discuss the impact this guidance will have on long term disability benefits for COVID long haulers.

Filing for and maintaining your long term disability insurance benefits can be a confusing and complicated process.  Wherever you are in the process, there is a lot to consider.

With so much at stake, it is essential to handle your disability claim correctly to avoid delays, obstacles, and benefit denials.  Careful strategic planning is key.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (known as “CPET”) can be useful for substantiating long term disability insurance claims.  The CPET is particularly recommended for conditions that cause fatigue as a major symptom.

Fatigue is commonly self-reported by claimants rather than objectively tested by their doctors.  Consequently, your insurance company may consider your reported fatigue as “subjective”.  Disability claims with subjective symptoms are more highly scrutinized and at higher risk of denial.

The CPET can provide evidence of your exertional limitations.  These objective results can help prove your disability to your insurance company.

Read below to learn more about the CPET and how it may help your disability claim.