What Led to the Termination of the Claimant's Disability Benefits Despite Medical Evidence?

The claimant, a plant manager, left his job due to a series of strokes and heart problems. His medical conditions included high-grade stenosis (narrowed blood vessels), hypertension, diabetes, two strokes, serious coronary artery disease leading to triple bypass surgery, numbness and neuropathy, slurred speech, facial droop, poor balance, memory problems, arteriosclerotic heart disease (hardened arteries), stage three kidney disease, hives and swelling due to an allergic reaction to diabetes medication, and nerve damage.He experienced a range of significant health issues leading to his claim for long-term disability benefits. Subsequently, the insurance company, Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, terminated his claim for long-term disability benefits, determining that he was not totally disabled despite contrary opinions from every treating physician who had evaluated him. Reliance insisted that the claimant could perform the material duties of any occupation.The claimant appealed the termination of his long-term disability benefits after his insurance company, focusing on challenging Reliance's decision under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and seeking reinstatement of his benefits.This is the oral argument in the 4th circuit court of appeals.These public domain recordings are brought to you by Ben Glass Law, a national long term disability and life insurance firm headquartered in Fairfax, VA.By making these recordings into a "podcast," we've made the listening easier for claimants, attorneys and claims adjusters alike. If long term disability or life insurance benefits have been denied, we'd love to review your denial letter and give you a strategy for moving forward. This is a free service and you can go here to begin submitting your denial letter.