POTS as a Disabling Condition

POTS-syndrome Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (“POTS”) can be a severely disabling condition, particularly when it presents alongside comorbidities such as long COVID, migraines, or chronic fatigue syndrome. In many cases, a person with POTS is disabled not only by physical limitations—such as difficulty standing, walking, or even sitting upright for extended periods—but also by cognitive and neurological symptoms, including dizziness, brain fog, exhaustion, visual disturbances, and migraines.

The unpredictable nature of POTS can make it impossible for an individual to perform the essential duties of a full-time job in a consistent and reliable manner. Additionally, managing the condition often requires strict adherence to treatment protocols involving medications, hydration and salt intake, lifestyle and dietary modifications, and prescribed exercise regimens—demands that can themselves resemble a full-time commitment.

What Is POTS?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (“POTS”) is a form of dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. It is characterized by an abnormally rapid heart rate (“tachycardia”) when a person moves from a lying or seated position to standing. Common symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue, brain fog, heart palpitations, blurred vision, and generalized weakness.

The severity of POTS varies significantly from person to person. While some individuals experience manageable symptoms, others suffer from severe limitations that interfere with daily activities and the ability to maintain employment.

Symptoms and Functional Limitations of POTS

People living with POTS may experience a wide range of symptoms that substantially impair daily functioning and work capacity, including:

Lightheadedness or fainting upon standing or even sitting
Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
Cognitive impairment, often described as “brain fog”
Heart palpitations and rapid heart rate
Exercise intolerance and muscle weakness

These symptoms frequently worsen with prolonged standing, exertion, or cognitive demand, making routine tasks—and many job duties—extremely difficult or impossible for some individuals.

Can POTS Qualify as a Disabling Condition?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome CAN qualify as a disabling condition if it substantially interferes with your ability to perform the duties of your occupation. POTS can also be disabling when combined with other comorbidities that together limit your capacity to meet the demands of your job.

What Evidence Helps Support a POTS Disability Claim?

Strong disability claims for POTS are typically supported by comprehensive medical and functional evidence, including:

Detailed medical records documenting a confirmed POTS diagnosis
Tilt table testing, CPET testing, and evaluations by appropriate specialists
Functional assessments demonstrating limitations in standing, walking, sustained activity, or cognitive functioning
Statements from treating physicians explaining how symptoms affect daily activities and work performance

Because many POTS symptoms—such as fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog—are inherently subjective, thorough functional documentation and specialist opinions are critical. Insurance companies frequently deny these claims, asserting that the claimant’s reported limitations are not adequately supported by objective testing.

Insurance companies often deny these disability claims, arguing that the functional limitations of the claimant are not supported by clinical evidence or diagnostic testing. And while orthostatic testing, such as a tilt table test, can confirm a POTS diagnosis, many POTS symptoms, like dizziness or lightheadedness, are not medically “testable.” This does not mean that you are not disabled. You are still entitled to your benefits.

How Pillsbury & Coleman Helps POTS Claimants

Pillsbury and Coleman has helped numerous similarly situated clients overcome the obstacles that insurers erect to prevent you from attaining your disability benefits. For example, we successfully helped a bright young software engineer get her benefits reinstated after Hartford terminated them after only one year. Hartford claimed that she could return to her mentally challenging work, even though she was unable to sit upright for more than 30 minutes at a time and 1 hour total per day. But after we filed her appeal, Hartford reopened her claim.

We also helped an executive at an open-source company secure her long-term disability benefits from Lincoln Financial Group by establishing that she was no longer able to keep up with the high cognitive demands of her job due to her POTS and ME/CFS symptoms. We have likewise had success establishing our POTS clients’ disability through litigation. We secured a favorable settlement with Unum for our client who had such severe POTS symptoms that she required regular in-home saline solution infusions and relied on a rollator just to get around her home. If you would like to learn more about seeking assistance with your disability claim, please contact our office.