Most Common Conditions for Long-Term Disability Claims
Author: Disability Attorneys Dell & Schaefer
Published: 20 Sep 2010 - Updated: 11 Jan 2026
Publication Type: Informative
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates - Related Publications
Synopsis: This information presents findings from a Disability Council of Awareness study examining the primary causes behind long-term disability insurance and Social Security disability claims. The data proves useful for individuals navigating disability benefits, insurance professionals, and healthcare providers because it quantifies which health conditions most frequently result in successful claims. Rather than accidents, which many people assume are the main cause, illnesses account for 91% of long-term disabilities, with musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders representing nearly a quarter of all claims. Understanding these statistics helps claimants and their families make better-informed decisions about insurance coverage, medical documentation needs, and the claims process itself. The breakdown of conditions by percentage offers practical guidance for anyone preparing to file or currently pursuing disability benefits.*
Introduction
Ninety-one percent of long-term disability claims are caused by illness and not by injury.
Main Content
There was a recent study by the Disability Council of Awareness in which they did a survey of the long-term disability companies, as well as social security disability, and came up with what percentage of claims were caused by what types of illnesses.
For example, the major disablers were:
- musculoskeletal connective tissue, which was 22.6% of claims;
- cancer which was 13.6% of claims;
- cardiovascular disease was 10.1% of claims;
- maternity related issues was 9.4% of claims;
- injuries and accidents were 8.1% of claims;
- mental and psychiatric disorders were 6.5% of claims;
- and 5.8% of claims were neurological disorders.
This list is just an example of a few of the major disabling conditions.
If you have any questions or concerns about a disabling condition which you feel causes you to be disabled, feel free to call us to discuss your disability insurance claim.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The statistics revealed in this analysis challenge common assumptions about disability causes and highlight a critical gap in public understanding. While dramatic accidents capture our attention, chronic illnesses and degenerative conditions quietly account for the overwhelming majority of life-altering disabilities. For those facing these challenges, recognizing that musculoskeletal disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular disease dominate the landscape of disability claims can provide both validation and direction. These numbers aren't just statistics - they represent millions of people whose working lives ended not with a single catastrophic event, but through the gradual progression of disease. Anyone purchasing disability insurance or planning their financial future should weigh these realities carefully, ensuring their coverage adequately addresses the conditions most likely to affect them over a lifetime of work.* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.