Vertigo can qualify as a disability in Canada when dizziness, balance problems or related symptoms prevent you from performing your job safely, consistently and reliably.
Some people experience brief and treatable episodes of vertigo. Others have recurring or chronic symptoms that make it difficult to stand, walk, drive, concentrate or work around machinery.
A diagnosis alone does not automatically qualify you for disability benefits. The insurer must consider how frequently your symptoms occur, how long they last and how they affect your actual job duties.
If your short-term or long-term disability claim has been denied or cut off, the disability lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can review the insurer’s decision during a free consultation.
On This Page:
- Is Vertigo a Disability?
- How Vertigo Affects Work
- Disability Benefits
- Proving Your Claim
- Why Claims Are Denied
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vertigo a Disability in Canada?
Yes. Vertigo can be considered a disability when its symptoms substantially limit your ability to work or complete important daily activities.
Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are moving when no actual movement is occurring. You may feel as though you are spinning, tilting, falling or being pulled to one side.
Vertigo is often a symptom of another medical condition. Possible causes include:
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Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV
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Ménière’s disease
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Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
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Vestibular migraine
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Head injuries or neurological conditions
The cause of your vertigo may affect the treatment and prognosis, but disability eligibility generally depends on your functional limitations.
Is Chronic Vertigo a Disability?
Chronic or recurring vertigo may be disabling when episodes are frequent, prolonged or unpredictable.
An insurer may consider whether you can stand, walk, drive, use screens, move your head, change positions and maintain concentration without triggering serious symptoms.
You Do Not Have to Experience Constant Vertigo
You may qualify for benefits even if your symptoms come and go. A person may feel better while sitting still at home but become dizzy when travelling, turning their head or working in a visually busy environment.
You do not have to prove that you will be unable to work forever. You may qualify for disability benefits for as long as vertigo prevents you from working under the terms of your insurance policy.
How Can Vertigo Affect Your Ability to Work?
Vertigo can affect physical, safety-sensitive and office work. The impact depends on the severity of your symptoms and the demands of your occupation.
Possible symptoms and limitations include:
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Spinning, tilting or falling sensations
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Poor balance or difficulty walking
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Nausea, vomiting or severe fatigue
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Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
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Headaches, light sensitivity or sensitivity to movement
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Difficulty concentrating during or after an episode
Driving and Safety-Sensitive Work
Vertigo may make it unsafe to drive, operate equipment, work at heights or perform duties where a sudden loss of balance could injure you or another person.
Construction, transportation, health care, manufacturing and emergency-response jobs may be particularly difficult when symptoms occur without warning.
Office and Remote Work
An insurer may argue that you can perform sedentary or remote work because the job does not require heavy physical activity.
However, office work may involve prolonged screen use, reading, video meetings, frequent head movement and moving through visually busy environments. These activities may worsen dizziness, nausea or difficulty focusing.
Even while working from home, you must be able to concentrate, communicate, meet deadlines and maintain predictable attendance.
Can Your Employer Accommodate Vertigo?
Possible accommodations may include temporary modified duties, reduced screen time, flexible hours, additional breaks, remote work or avoiding driving and safety-sensitive tasks.
Accommodation may not be enough when episodes remain severe, frequent or unpredictable.
Can You Get Disability Benefits for Vertigo?
You may qualify for disability benefits if vertigo prevents you from completing the essential duties of your job.
The exact eligibility test depends on the benefit program and the wording of your insurance policy.
Short-Term Disability Benefits
Short-term disability benefits may replace part of your income during a temporary medical leave.
Your insurer may ask your doctor to describe the frequency of your vertigo episodes, your safety restrictions, your treatment and why you are currently unable to work.
Long-Term Disability Benefits
Long-term disability benefits may become available when vertigo continues beyond the short-term disability period.
Many LTD policies initially consider whether you can perform your own occupation. After a set period, commonly two years, the insurer may consider whether you can perform another suitable occupation.
The insurer should consider whether you can realistically sustain another job given your balance problems, safety risks, visual symptoms and unpredictable episodes.
CPP Disability Benefits
You may qualify for CPP Disability benefits if vertigo and any other medical conditions regularly prevent you from performing substantially gainful work.
Your disability must generally be severe and prolonged, and you must have made enough valid CPP contributions.
How Do You Prove a Vertigo Disability Claim?
A strong disability claim should explain how vertigo affects your actual ability to function and work. The diagnosis alone may not provide enough detail.
Helpful evidence may include:
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Medical records from your family doctor, neurologist or ear specialist
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Vestibular, hearing, balance or neurological test results
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The frequency, duration and triggers of your episodes
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Your treatment history and medication side effects
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A detailed description of your job and its safety requirements
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Workplace accommodation or failed return-to-work attempts
Document What Happens During an Episode
Explain whether you must lie down, hold onto walls or furniture, avoid screens, stop driving or recover for several hours after an episode.
A symptom journal may help record triggers, nausea, balance problems, missed work and the amount of recovery time you require.
Continue Reasonable Treatment
Continue attending medical appointments and following reasonable treatment recommendations where possible.
Treatment may include medication, repositioning manoeuvres or vestibular rehabilitation, depending on the cause of your vertigo. Improvement may take time, and treatment does not always eliminate every symptom.
Why Do Insurers Deny Vertigo Disability Claims?
An insurer may accept that you experience vertigo but argue that the available evidence does not prove you are unable to work.
Common denial reasons include:
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The insurer says your vertigo is temporary or treatable
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Testing does not fully explain the severity of your symptoms
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Your doctor’s records do not clearly explain your work restrictions
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The insurer says you can perform sedentary or remote work
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You appear capable between vertigo episodes
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Your occasional daily activities are presented as proof that you can work
The Insurer Says Treatment Should Resolve Your Vertigo
Some causes of vertigo respond well to treatment, but the outcome is not the same for everyone. Symptoms may return, continue despite treatment or result from a condition that requires ongoing management.
Your evidence should explain the limitations that remain despite following reasonable medical advice.
What Should You Do After a Denial?
Read and save the denial letter, continue receiving medical care and request a complete copy of your disability policy.
Keep your medical reports, test results, application forms and communications with the insurer. Do not return to safety-sensitive work against your doctor’s advice.
Speak with a disability lawyer before filing an internal appeal. The same insurer that denied your claim will review the appeal, and important legal deadlines may continue to run.
Learn more about what to do when your long-term disability claim is denied.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vertigo and Disability
Is vertigo considered a disability?
Vertigo can be considered a disability when dizziness, balance problems or related symptoms substantially limit your ability to work or complete important daily activities.
Can you get disability benefits for vertigo?
You may qualify for short-term disability, long-term disability or CPP Disability if vertigo prevents you from working and you meet the applicable program requirements.
Is benign positional vertigo a disability?
BPPV may qualify as a disability when symptoms remain severe, recurring or resistant to treatment and prevent you from performing your job safely and reliably.
Can you work with vertigo?
Some people can continue working with treatment or temporary accommodations. Others can’t work safely because of frequent episodes, falls, visual symptoms or restrictions involving driving and machinery.
Can chronic vertigo qualify for long-term disability?
Chronic vertigo may qualify for LTD benefits when its symptoms prevent you from performing your occupation or another suitable occupation under the terms of your policy.
Can vertigo qualify for CPP Disability?
Vertigo may qualify when it regularly prevents substantially gainful employment, is long-term or indefinite and you have made enough valid CPP contributions.
Should you appeal a denied vertigo disability claim?
Do not assume an internal appeal is the best option. The same insurer that denied your claim will review it. Speak with a disability lawyer before proceeding.
Get Help With a Denied Vertigo Disability Claim
Living with recurring vertigo can affect your independence, safety and ability to earn an income. Fighting with an insurance company can make the situation even more difficult.
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP represents people with denied and terminated disability claims throughout Canada, excluding Quebec.
Our disability lawyers can review your insurance policy, medical evidence and denial letter and explain the options available.
Contact us for a free consultation if your short-term or long-term disability claim has been denied or cut off.