Disability Claim Narrative
Personal narrative supporting a disability insurance claim - SSDI, private LTD, or short-term disability.
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DISABILITY CLAIM PERSONAL NARRATIVE ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Claimant: Jordan Alex Taylor DOB: June 12, 1985 SSN (last 4): XXX-XX-1289 Claim type: Long-Term Disability (LTD) - private group plan Employer (most recent): Acme Corporation (employed since 2023-08; on leave since 2026-01-15) Occupation: Senior Software Engineer (sedentary, intensive screen-based work) Last day worked: January 15, 2026 ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ MEDICAL DIAGNOSES Primary: Severe rheumatoid arthritis with progressive joint involvement (RA flares 4-6x/year) Secondary: Chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to RA inflammation). Mild depression (secondary to chronic illness; medication-controlled). Carpal-tunnel syndrome (bilateral, treatment-refractory). ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ TREATING PROVIDERS Dr. Asha Park, MD - Rheumatology (OHSU). Primary specialist for RA. Visits Q3 months. Dr. Lin Chen, MD - Internal Medicine (OHSU). Primary care. Dr. Maria Sanchez, PsyD - Mental health (Riverside Behavioral). Q4 weeks. Physical therapy weekly at Pacific NW PT. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SYMPTOM NARRATIVE My RA progressed significantly over the past 18 months. I now experience: - Persistent joint pain in hands, wrists, and knees, with worse symptoms in the morning (1-2 hours of stiffness daily). - Acute flares 4-6 times per year lasting 1-3 weeks each, during which I cannot type, write, or perform fine-motor tasks. - Chronic fatigue that limits productive work to 2-3 hours per day even on good days. - Cognitive "fog" attributed to inflammation and to medication side effects (methotrexate). My rheumatologist documented progressive joint damage on imaging (X-rays 2024-12 vs 2026-02 attached); the disease is not well-controlled despite biologic therapy (Humira since 2024). ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS (occupational impact) Cannot type or use a mouse for more than 30-45 minutes without significant pain. Recovery between sessions takes 1-2 hours. Cannot maintain fine-motor work consistently across a workday; productivity is unpredictable day-to-day. Cognitive demands of software-engineering work are difficult to sustain due to fatigue and "fog"; I can no longer hold complex problem state in mind for extended periods. Cannot sit for more than 30 minutes without joint pain requiring movement or repositioning. Reliable attendance impossible due to acute flares - I had 60+ unscheduled sick days in 2025. Returning to my own occupation (or any sedentary skilled work) is not realistic at this time. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ IMPACT ON ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING Personal care: dressing and food preparation often require help during flares. Driving: limited to short trips on good days. Housekeeping: I share an apartment with a partner who has taken over heavier tasks (laundry, vacuuming, grocery shopping during flares). Social: significantly reduced participation; chronic illness has affected friendships and family relationships. Sleep: fragmented due to pain (averaging 5-6 hours/night, often broken). ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CURRENT MEDICATIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS Humira (adalimumab) - 40 mg every 2 weeks (since 2024). Side effects: injection-site reactions, occasional nausea. Methotrexate - 15 mg weekly. Side effects: significant fatigue, occasional GI upset. Prednisone - 10 mg daily during flares (current). Side effects: weight gain, mood changes, sleep disruption. Naproxen 500 mg twice daily. Side effects: GI complaints managed with omeprazole. Duloxetine 60 mg daily for depression and chronic-pain neuromodulation. Amitriptyline 25 mg at bedtime for sleep. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ DECLARATION I declare under penalty of perjury that the information in this narrative is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I authorise the disability-claim adjuster to obtain medical records from my treating providers as needed to verify this claim. _______________________________ Date: June 19, 2026 Jordan Alex Taylor
About this template
A disability-claim narrative is the claimant's personal account supporting a claim for SSDI, SSI, private LTD/STD, state disability, or VA disability. The narrative complements (does not replace) the medical evidence (treating-provider records, functional capacity evaluations, neuropsychological testing) but is essential for adjudicators to understand the lived experience of the disability. The strongest narratives are specific, descriptive, and grounded in objective limitations rather than subjective complaints. SSDI: the federal program for workers who paid into Social Security. To qualify: must have worked enough recent quarters (typically 20 of last 40), must have a "medically determinable impairment" expected to last 12+ months or result in death, and must be unable to perform "substantial gainful activity" ($1,620/month earnings in 2025; 2026 figure adjusts). The 5-step sequential evaluation considers (1) currently working over SGA?; (2) medically severe?; (3) meets a Listing of Impairments?; (4) can perform past work?; (5) can perform any other work given age, education, transferable skills? Initial denials are common (60-70% denied initially); reconsideration adds 10-15% approvals; ALJ hearing approval rates 45-60%. Private LTD: usually defines disability as "unable to perform own occupation" for the first 24 months, then "any occupation" - the transition is the most-litigated point. Most LTD policies offset against SSDI awards. Engage a disability attorney - most work on contingency (limited fees: 25% of past-due benefits, capped at $7,200 for SSDI in 2024). For VA disability, work with a Veterans Service Organisation (VSO) - VFW, DAV, American Legion offer free help. State disability (CA SDI, NJ TDB, NY DBL) typically pays a percentage of pre-disability wage for limited periods.
When to use it
- Initial SSDI / SSI application.
- Reconsideration after initial SSDI denial.
- ALJ hearing preparation.
- Private LTD initial application.
- LTD "any occupation" transition (typically 24-month mark).
- State disability application.
What to include
- Claimant identification and disability type.
- Employer and occupation (and last day worked).
- Primary and secondary medical diagnoses.
- Treating providers list.
- Detailed symptom narrative.
- Functional limitations tied to work demands.
- Impact on activities of daily living.
- Medications and side effects.