Opinion ID: 201501
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Wright's Application for STD Benefits

Text: 7 On June 19, 2001, Wright took a medical leave from work, claiming he was suffering from headaches and irregular memory loss which prevented him from carrying out his job functions. See App. at A111-A113. Wright subsequently applied for STD benefits in accordance with the Plan's provisions. Id. at A207. Wright submitted Attending Physician Statements (APS) from his primary care physician, Dr. Maurice B. Cohen, and his psychologist, Ron Michaud, Ph.D. See id. at A188-89; id. at A210-11. Both Drs. Michaud and Cohen reported that Wright's subjective symptoms were memory problems. See id. at A188-89; id. at A210-11. Dr. Cohen recommended that Wright be kept out of work pending the results of neuropsychological testing. Id. at A210-11. Dr. Michaud indicated that Wright's ability for sustained concentration has severely impaired current job performance. Id. at A210-11. He declined to indicate any specific psychiatric impairments, stating that it was unclear if the process is psychiatric or neurological. Id. Based on this information, Hartford granted Wright's STD benefits through July 29, 2001. Id. at A379. Pending results of the neuropsychological testing, Hartford extended Wright's STD benefits through August 20, 2001. Id. at A380. 8 In a status report to Hartford, on August 20, 2001, Dr. Cohen diagnosed Wright with memory loss and indicated the necessity of additional neurological testing. See id. at A198-99. Dr. Cohen again recommended that Wright not return to work until an appropriate diagnosis was made. Id. By letter dated August 24, 2001, Hartford notified Wright that it was extending his STD benefits through September 23, 2001. Id. at A381. The letter further stated: 9 If you remain disabled beyond September 23, 2001, your physician must submit supporting medical information to our office. This must include the specific results of your July 11 and August 28, 2001 tests. We will also require an evaluation by your primary care physician that addresses a specific diagnosis, restrictions and limitations that prevent you from returning to work, your treatment plan and any changes in your treatment, and a return to work plan. 10 Id. 11 On September 20, 2001, Dr. Cohen provided another update to Hartford, explaining that Wright had difficulty finding a neuropsychologist covered by his health insurance but finally was able to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ann Avery for October 2, 2001. 1 Id. at A248. Based on this information, Hartford extended STD benefits until October 14, 2001, to allow time for his physicians to review the results of Dr. Avery's testing. See id. at A196. 12 On October 15, 2001, after reviewing the results of Dr. Avery's neuropsychological assessment of Wright, Dr. Cohen submitted a new APS to Hartford, which addressed for the first time the level of Wright's psychiatric impairments. See id. at A190-91. Dr. Cohen indicated an impairment of less severe than [m]oderate impairment in occupational functioning but more severe than slight difficulty. Id. Dr. Cohen also telephoned Hartford and explained Dr. Avery's tests showed that Wright's short term memory is good but that Wright had weakness recalling long term events and narriatives [sic]. 2 Id. at A193. Dr. Cohen further reported that an MRI was normal and there was no diagnosis for Wright yet. Id. at A193. Hartford extended Wright's STD benefits until October 28, 2001, pending the results of Wright's examination by a new psychiatrist, Dr. Clive D. Dalby. 13 On October 26, 2001, Dr. Dalby submitted an APS to Hartford diagnosing Wright with Amnestic Syndrome Not Otherwise Specified. Id. at A212-13. Dr. Dalby indicated that Wright suffered severe short term memory loss & thought blocking, and described this as causing a moderate impairment in occupational functioning, but did not specify such limitation. Id.