What to Know:
- After five years of approved disability benefits, a long COVID claimant had benefits abruptly terminated by Lincoln Financial.
- The NYC claimant provided overwhelming medical evidence from treating and evaluating physicians confirming their continued disability.
- Objective testing, including a CPET and cognitive evaluation, demonstrated significant functional and cognitive impairments.
- Dabdoub Law Firm represents claimants nationwide in long COVID and post-viral disability cases, helping them secure and protect their LTD benefits.
Disability Benefits Terminated Without Justification
A longtime Department Manager at a major national retailer had been receiving long-term disability (LTD) benefits for nearly five years due to debilitating long COVID symptoms. In 2025, Lincoln Financial unexpectedly terminated those benefits despite no changes in the claimant’s health, treatment team, or diagnosis.
This appeal challenges Lincoln's termination and demands reinstatement of LTD benefits, supported by extensive objective testing, personal accounts, and medical records.
Life Before and After Long COVID
The claimant was known for their reliability and performance in a high-demand, fast-paced leadership role. Promotions and recognition followed a strong work ethic. Everything changed in early 2020 when they contracted COVID-19.
Although the claimant survived the acute infection, lingering post-viral symptoms soon took over. Their long COVID symptoms have included:
- Severe fatigue
- Post-exertional malaise
- Joint and muscle pain
- Chest pain and shortness of breath
- Orthostatic intolerance
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Dizziness and tremors
These symptoms remain disabling and have significantly impaired the claimant’s ability to perform even basic daily activities, let alone maintain full-time employment.
Lincoln Financial Reverses Its Own Determination
For five years, Lincoln acknowledged the claimant’s disability, paying LTD benefits and regularly reviewing medical updates from treating providers. Then, in May 2025, the disability insurance company suddenly reversed course, without any new contradictory medical evidence, claiming the claimant could now return to work.
Lincoln’s new position contradicts years of its own conclusions and appears to rely on a single file review by a non-treating consultant who never examined the claimant.
Medical Testing Confirms Total Disability
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET)
In September 2025, the claimant underwent a two-day CPET administered by a leading exercise physiologist. Results confirmed:
“The claimant’s ability to carry out normal daily activities is very limited and renders them unable to tolerate any reasonable sedentary work on a sustained basis.”
The test showed abnormal response patterns and no signs of exaggeration or malingering.
Cognitive Functional Assessment
A separate neurocognitive evaluation revealed profound impairments in:
- Memory
- Attention and concentration
- Cognitive processing speed
- Overall intellectual functioning
The examiner concluded the claimant lacked the cognitive capacity for any form of employment and required caregiver support for basic daily living.
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)
An independent physical therapist attempted to administer an FCE in August 2025. The claimant was unable to complete testing due to:
- Severe fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea and lightheadedness
The therapist observed extreme limitations in physical endurance, confirming the claimant was unable to perform even sedentary work.
Continued Treating Provider Support
All treating physicians remain in agreement: the claimant is disabled and cannot return to work in any capacity.
- A cardiologist confirmed ongoing symptoms including orthostatic intolerance, chest wall pain, and reduced exercise tolerance.
- A primary care physician reiterated that the claimant continues to suffer from myalgia, muscle atrophy, and post-COVID fatigue syndrome.
- A physical therapist who worked with the claimant over several years noted worsening symptoms despite consistent rehabilitation efforts and ultimately recommended discontinuation of therapy due to harm.
A Wrongful Termination of Benefits
Lincoln Financial terminated benefits based solely on a medical record review by a consultant who never met the claimant. The reviewer ignored key facts, objective testing, and the unanimous opinions of all treating providers. In doing so, Lincoln disregarded its fiduciary duty under ERISA to conduct a fair and thorough review.
This appeal challenges that decision and presents overwhelming objective and clinical evidence of continuing disability.
Legal Support for Long COVID Disability Disability Claims
Long COVID continues to impact individuals across industries, including those in high-functioning leadership roles. Insurance companies are increasingly skeptical of post-viral illnesses, even when objective testing confirms the severity of symptoms.
Dabdoub Law Firm has successfully represented claimants with long COVID and post-viral conditions across the country. We understand the unique medical and legal challenges in proving these cases and are equipped to challenge wrongful denials and terminations by major insurance providers.
Fighting a Long COVID LTD Denial?
Our firm can help you:
- File an appeal after your benefits are denied or terminated
- Secure backpay and reinstatement of long-term disability benefits
- Pursue legal action in federal court, if necessary
- Navigate complex medical and ERISA documentation
Consultations are free, and there are no fees unless we win your case. Call today to speak with an experienced disability insurance attorney.