What to Know:
- A highly accomplished software engineer in Oakland, CA was forced to leave his position at Google due to debilitating chronic fatigue and related cognitive impairments.
- Despite extensive documentation and medical support, MetLife denied his long-term disability (LTD) claim.
- An independent neuropsychological evaluation and cardiopulmonary test were critical pieces of evidence in getting the long term disability claim approved once again.
- Dabdoub Law Firm helped present a compelling appeal, leveraging expert medical evidence and legal precedent, to secure LTD benefits for this deserving professional.
When Chronic Fatigue Ends a Brilliant Career
A veteran software engineer with more than 15 years at one of the world’s leading tech companies found his promising career derailed by severe, unexplained fatigue. A highly accomplished leader, his role demanded constant cognitive engagement: managing complex projects, mentoring distributed teams, and delivering large-scale software solutions.
Despite a track record of high performance, his energy began to disappear. After battling long-term symptoms, worsened by multiple COVID infections, thyroid surgery, and eventually mold toxicity, he could no longer manage his daily life, let alone his job.
In April 2024, he made the difficult decision to step away from work. Soon after, he filed for long-term disability benefits through his employer’s long term disability carrier, MetLife.
MetLife Denies the LTD Claim Despite Clear Disability
MetLife denied the long term disability claim, asserting that his symptoms were not severe enough to prevent him from working. Their reasoning ignored the overwhelming documentation from treating providers and independent evaluations.
The denial focused narrowly on the absence of “severe psychiatric symptoms” and dismissed the very real, very disabling physical and cognitive impairments that kept him bedridden most days. Worse, MetLife overlooked critical realities such as his recent enrollment in a partial hospitalization program for psychiatric care and his use of a home aide multiple days per week.
Objective Testing Made the Difference
With the support of Dabdoub Law Firm, our client submitted a powerful appeal backed by objective, third-party evidence:
Independent Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET)
- Performed by a leading exercise physiologist.
- Revealed serious anomalies in oxygen use and post-exertional symptom crashes.
- Concluded the claimant was unable to sustain even sedentary work.
Neuropsychological Evaluation
- Administered by a board-certified psychologist with embedded validity measures.
- Diagnosed major neurocognitive disorder due to multiple factors: chronic fatigue, mold exposure, medication side effects, insomnia, and autism.
- Confirmed he could not reliably absorb or retain new information—an essential skill in any software engineering role.
Treating Physician Support
- His providers unanimously agreed that he was unable to work in any capacity, citing functional and cognitive decline.
- His primary care doctor affirmed that symptoms were unpredictable, non-linear, and likely to persist indefinitely.
MetLife Changed Course: A Win for Fairness and Functionality
Faced with unambiguous, multidisciplinary medical evidence and legal arguments that referenced relevant case law, MetLife reversed its denial. The engineer was awarded full LTD benefits under the policy.
This case highlights how disability is not always visible, and in high-functioning professionals, it is often misunderstood. Chronic fatigue, neurocognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric conditions can make even a sedentary role impossible to maintain with consistency.
A Note for High Earners in Tech and Engineering
If you're a high-achieving professional facing a disabling condition, especially one involving fatigue, cognitive challenges, or mental health, your claim deserves to be evaluated fairly. Insurance companies often miss the nuance in these cases, especially when the disability doesn’t involve an obvious injury or hospitalization.
Dabdoub Law Firm has helped countless professionals from engineers, executives, doctors, and lawyers win hard-fought long term disability benefits. We know how to present complex medical conditions in a way insurers can’t ignore. And we do it nationwide.
Need Help Appealing a Disability Denial?
Let us help. At Dabdoub Law Firm, disability claims and appeals are all we do. We’ve taken on every major insurance company—and won. Our team brings unmatched experience in securing benefits for high-income professionals with complex and misunderstood conditions. We are experts in:
- Filing a new claim for long-term disability
- Appealing a denial or termination of benefits
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement
- Litigating your case in court
No fees paid unless we win. Call today to speak with an expert attorney.