Complex regional pain syndrome can qualify as a disability in Canada when severe pain and related symptoms prevent you from performing your job safely, consistently and reliably.
CRPS can affect movement, strength, sleep, concentration and the ability to use an arm, hand, leg or foot. Even light touch or ordinary movement may cause intense pain.
An insurance company may accept that you have CRPS but still argue that you can work. Your eligibility for disability benefits depends on how the condition affects your actual job duties—not the diagnosis alone.
If your short-term or long-term disability claim has been denied or cut off, our chronic pain disability lawyers can review the insurer’s decision during a free consultation.
On This Page:
- What Is CRPS?
- Is CRPS a Disability?
- How CRPS Affects Work
- Disability Benefits
- Proving a CRPS Claim
- Why Claims Are Denied
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
Complex regional pain syndrome, commonly called CRPS, is a chronic pain condition that usually affects an arm, leg, hand or foot.
It often develops after an injury, fracture, surgery or other medical event. The resulting pain may be much more severe and last much longer than would normally be expected from the original injury.
CRPS was previously known by names such as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or RSD, and causalgia.
Common CRPS Symptoms
Symptoms vary, but may include:
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Continuous burning, stabbing or throbbing pain
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Extreme sensitivity to touch, pressure or temperature
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Swelling and changes in skin colour or temperature
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Stiffness, weakness, tremors or reduced movement
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Changes involving sweating, hair, skin or nails
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Difficulty sleeping, fatigue and poor concentration
Symptoms may change over time and can sometimes spread beyond the original area.
CRPS Type 1 and Type 2
CRPS Type 1 occurs without a confirmed injury to a specific nerve. It was previously called reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
CRPS Type 2 involves confirmed nerve damage and was previously called causalgia.
Both types can cause serious pain and functional limitations. The type of CRPS does not determine disability eligibility by itself.
How Is CRPS Diagnosed?
There is no single test that confirms CRPS. A doctor will normally consider your symptoms, examine the affected area and rule out other conditions that could better explain the problem.
Doctors may use the Budapest Criteria, which consider pain together with sensory changes, swelling, sweating, skin temperature or colour differences, and movement or tissue changes.
Is CRPS a Disability in Canada?
Yes. CRPS can be considered a disability when its symptoms substantially limit your ability to work or complete important daily activities.
There is no specific pain level, test result or CRPS type that automatically qualifies someone for disability benefits.
An insurer will usually consider:
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The severity and frequency of your pain
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Whether you can use the affected limb repeatedly
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How long you can sit, stand, walk or remain in one position
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Whether sleep disruption and fatigue affect concentration
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The side effects of medication and treatment
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Whether you can maintain regular attendance and productivity
You Do Not Have to Be Completely Unable to Function
You may still qualify for benefits if you can occasionally shop, drive, attend appointments or complete light household activities.
These activities are different from working several hours a day, five days a week. A job may require repeated movement, prolonged sitting or standing, regular attendance and consistent concentration.
Is CRPS a Permanent Disability?
CRPS can become a long-term or permanent disability, but the outcome is different for each person. Some people improve with treatment, while others continue to experience serious pain and limitations.
You do not have to prove that you will be unable to work forever. You may qualify for disability benefits for as long as CRPS prevents you from working under the terms of your insurance policy.
How Can CRPS Affect Your Ability to Work?
CRPS may affect physical, office and professional work. The impact depends on the affected body part, your symptoms and the demands of your occupation.
CRPS may prevent you from:
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Typing, writing, gripping tools or using your hands repeatedly
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Walking, standing, climbing stairs or driving
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Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling
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Wearing required footwear, gloves or protective equipment
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Maintaining concentration because of pain or poor sleep
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Working consistently during unpredictable flare-ups
Can You Perform Sedentary Work With CRPS?
An insurer may argue that you can perform office or remote work because it is less physically demanding.
However, sedentary work may still require prolonged sitting, typing, concentration, regular attendance and consistent productivity.
A person may need to change position frequently, elevate an affected limb, take unscheduled breaks or recover after relatively minor activity. Medication may also cause fatigue, drowsiness or cognitive problems.
Can Your Employer Accommodate CRPS?
Possible accommodations may include modified duties, flexible hours, additional breaks, ergonomic equipment, remote work or a gradual return-to-work plan.
Accommodation may not be enough when severe or unpredictable symptoms make regular work unsustainable.
Can You Get Disability Benefits for CRPS?
You may qualify for disability benefits if CRPS prevents you from completing the essential duties of your job.
Short-Term Disability Benefits
Short-term disability benefits may replace part of your income during the early stage of a medical leave.
Your insurer may ask your doctor to explain your pain, physical restrictions, treatment plan and why you are currently unable to work.
Long-Term Disability Benefits
Long-term disability benefits may become available after short-term disability or EI sickness benefits end.
Many 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.
It must consider whether you can realistically sustain another job while managing severe pain, reduced movement, fatigue and medication side effects.
CPP Disability Benefits
You may qualify for CPP Disability benefits if CRPS and any other medical conditions regularly prevent you from performing substantially gainful work.
Your condition must generally be severe and prolonged, and you must have made enough valid CPP contributions.
How Do You Prove a CRPS Disability Claim?
A strong claim should explain how CRPS affects your actual ability to function. The diagnosis alone may not give the insurer enough information.
Helpful evidence may include:
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Medical records from your family doctor, pain specialist or neurologist
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Clinical findings involving sensitivity, swelling, movement or skin changes
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A clear description of your job duties and physical demands
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Your treatment history and medication side effects
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Reports from physiotherapists or occupational therapists
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Workplace accommodation or failed return-to-work attempts
Describe Your Limitations Specifically
Explain how long you can perform an activity, whether you need assistance and what happens afterward.
For example, you may be able to type briefly but develop severe pain and swelling that prevent further hand use. Simply stating that you “can type” would not accurately describe the limitation.
Why Do Insurers Deny CRPS Disability Claims?
An insurer may accept that you experience pain but argue that the available evidence does not prove you are unable to work.
Common denial reasons include:
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Medical tests do not fully explain the severity of your pain
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The insurer describes your symptoms as subjective
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Your doctor’s records do not clearly explain your restrictions
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The insurer says you can perform sedentary or remote work
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Treatment or medication is expected to improve your condition
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Your occasional activities are presented as proof that you can work
What Should You Do After a Denial?
Read and save the denial letter, continue receiving medical treatment and request a complete copy of your disability policy.
Keep your medical reports, application forms and communications with the insurance company. Do not return to work against your doctor’s advice.
Speak with a disability lawyer before filing an internal appeal. The same insurance company 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 CRPS and Disability
What does CRPS stand for?
CRPS stands for complex regional pain syndrome. It is a chronic pain condition that usually affects an arm, leg, hand or foot.
Is CRPS considered a disability?
CRPS can be considered a disability when pain and related limitations substantially affect your ability to work or complete important daily activities.
Can you get long-term disability for CRPS?
You may qualify for LTD benefits if CRPS prevents you from performing your occupation or another suitable occupation, depending on the terms of your policy.
Is CRPS Type 2 a disability?
CRPS Type 2 may qualify as a disability when nerve damage, pain and functional limitations prevent reliable work. The same principle applies to CRPS Type 1.
Can CRPS qualify for CPP Disability?
CRPS may qualify for CPP Disability when it regularly prevents you from performing substantially gainful work, is long-term or indefinite and you have made enough valid CPP contributions.
Can you work with CRPS?
Some people can continue working with treatment or workplace accommodations. Others can’t sustain employment because of severe pain, limited movement, fatigue or medication side effects.
Is there a cure for CRPS?
There is no single cure for CRPS. Treatment may help reduce pain, improve movement and manage related symptoms, but results vary from person to person.
Should you appeal a denied CRPS 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 CRPS Disability Claim
Living with CRPS is difficult enough. Fighting with an insurance company while managing severe pain and financial uncertainty can make the situation worse.
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP represents people with denied and terminated disability claims throughout Canada, excluding Quebec.
Our chronic pain disability lawyers understand why insurers challenge CRPS claims and what evidence may be needed to dispute a denial.
Contact us for a free consultation if your short-term or long-term disability claim has been denied or cut off.