Getting Long-Term Disability for Multiple Sclerosis (MS): What You Need to Know — And Why Working With the Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C. Can Make All the Difference

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is challenging enough. Navigating the long-term disability (LTD) insurance system on top of that? Overwhelming.

Many people with MS find themselves struggling to keep up with work demands, only to be denied the very disability benefits that were supposed to protect them.

If you’re facing this situation, you’re not alone. MS disability claims are among the most frequently denied by insurance companies, not because the disease isn’t severe, but because it’s complex, unpredictable, and often invisible.

In this blog post, we’ll break down how to qualify for long-term disability benefits for MS, what evidence you need, what insurance companies commonly get wrong, and why so many people with MS choose the Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C. to fight for their benefits.

Why Multiple Sclerosis Qualifies for Long-Term Disability

MS is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms vary widely from person to person, but common issues include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Cognitive problems (“brain fog,” memory issues, slow processing)
• Muscle weakness or spasticity
• Numbness, tingling, or neuropathic pain
• Mobility issues or balance problems
• Vision problems
• Heat intolerance
• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks consistently

These symptoms often strike in waves. You may feel capable one day and be unable to get out of bed the next. For many people, this unpredictability makes full-time work impossible.

How to Get Approved for Long-Term Disability for MS

Below are the key steps that greatly increase your chances of winning long-term disability benefits for multiple sclerosis.

Understand Your Disability Insurance Policy

Before filing a claim, take time to understand what your policy covers. Pay special attention to:

• The definition of disability (own occupation vs any occupation)
• The elimination period
• Any exclusions or pre-existing condition clauses
• Requirements for proof of loss and specific deadlines

Knowing these details helps you file correctly and avoid preventable denials.

Strengthen Your Medical Documentation

Insurance companies approve claims based on functional limitations, not simply your diagnosis. To support your claim, gather:

Objective evidence

• MRI scans
• Neurological exam findings
• Gait or mobility assessments
• Neuropsychological evaluations
• Fatigue or endurance testing

Consistent symptom documentation

Ask your doctor to document issues like:

• Fatigue
• Cognitive decline
• Pain
• Blurry or double vision
• Balance issues
• Relapses
• Functional decline over time

Your doctor’s consistency is crucial. Insurance companies often deny MS claims when medical notes are brief or unclear.

Get Strong Support From Your Neurologist

A detailed, well-supported statement from your treating neurologist can make or break your claim. The doctor should clearly explain:

• How MS affects your brain, spinal cord, and daily functioning
• Why you cannot sustain full-time work
• What cognitive, physical, or stamina limitations you have

Vague statements like “patient is disabled” will not help. Specific details do.

Clearly Describe Your Job Duties

Insurance companies evaluate disability based on whether you can still perform the essential duties of your job. Describe:

• Physical demands
• Cognitive or multitasking requirements
• Stress levels
• Work hours
• Productivity expectations

Then explain how your MS symptoms interfere with each of those tasks.

Submit a Complete, Well-Supported Claim

Be proactive. Provide:

• All relevant medical records
• MRI and diagnostic reports
• Cognitive testing results
• A detailed personal statement
• Employer job descriptions
• Symptom logs or fatigue journals

The more complete your claim, the harder it is for the insurance company to deny it.

Why MS Claims Get Denied So Often

Even with strong evidence, MS claims are frequently denied. Insurers often argue:

• Your MRI appears “stable”
• You have periods of remission
• You’re capable of sedentary work
• Fatigue and cognitive issues are “subjective”
• Surveillance shows you walking, driving, or shopping briefly

These arguments ignore the reality of MS: fluctuating symptoms, endurance limitations, and unpredictable relapses. This is also why legal representation is so important.

Why People With MS Choose the Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C.

When it comes to long-term disability claims for MS, the law firm you choose matters.

The Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C. has built a national reputation for excellence in disability insurance law, especially with complex neurological conditions.

Here’s why individuals with MS trust this firm with their livelihood:

Extensive Experience With MS Disability Claims

MS isn’t straightforward. Symptoms vary, test results can be misleading, and insurance companies often misunderstand the disease.

Justin C. Frankel and his team have decades of experience specifically handling disability claims involving MS, including:

• Relapsing-remitting MS
• Primary progressive MS
• Secondary progressive MS

They know how to translate your symptoms into strong legal and medical evidence that disability carriers must take seriously.

A Strong Record Against Major Disability Insurance Companies

The firm routinely handles cases involving:

• MassMutual
• Northwestern Mutual
• MetLife
• Unum
• Prudential
• Hartford
• Cigna/LINA
• Guardian
• Reliance Standard
• Matrix
• New York Life
• Lincoln Financial

These companies all use known tactics to deny MS claims—and the firm knows how to counter them.

Mastery of ERISA Law

Most LTD claims are governed by ERISA, a federal law with strict rules and unforgiving deadlines. The administrative appeal stage is often your only chance to build the record that a judge will later review.

Justin C. Frankel, P.C.:

• Builds airtight medical and legal files
• Prepares every case as if it will go to court
• Identifies policy loopholes and insurer misconduct
• Uses medical, occupational, and legal evidence strategically

This is essential for winning MS disability cases.

Personalized, Compassionate Support

Clients with MS often describe feeling “seen, heard, and supported” by the firm. They take the time to understand:

• Your symptoms
• Your work demands
• Your medical history
• Your daily limitations
• Your long-term health outlook

You’re not just a case file—you’re a person dealing with a life-changing condition.

You Don’t Have to Fight Your MS Disability Claim Alone

Multiple sclerosis creates real, measurable, and often debilitating limitations. Long-term disability benefits exist to protect you—but insurance carriers often fight hard to avoid paying.

With the right medical evidence, a clear understanding of your policy, and representation from the Law Office of Justin C. Frankel, P.C., you can significantly improve your chances of securing the benefits you need and deserve.