Opinion ID: 201501
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Timing of Denial of STD and LTD Benefits

Text: 33 Wright claims that the timing of the rejection of both his STD and LTD benefits — as the LTD benefit date was approaching---demonstrated an actual conflict of interest. According to Wright, Hartford granted STD benefits to Wright when it did not have a financial stake in the payment of benefits and then denied benefits to Wright as the time approached when Hartford would be financially liable. After a thorough review of the evidence, however, the district court found that it was apparent that the decision to terminate benefits was based on the evolving state of plaintiff's medical record. This conclusion was amply supported by the evidence. 34 Hartford granted Wright's STD benefits beginning on June 27, 2001. See App. at A379. Hartford extended the STD benefits until August 20, 2001, after being informed by Plaintiff's primary care physician, Dr. Cohen, that Wright had undergone or would be undergoing neuropsychological testing shortly. See id. at A189; id. at A201; id. at A380. During the summer and fall of 2001, no test results were provided to Hartford. Hartford, nevertheless, extended STD benefits to September 23, then to October 14, and finally to October 28, 2001, based on Dr. Cohen's statements that Wright should not return to work until the results of neuropsychological testing were known. See id. at A189; id. at A197; id. at A248. During that time, Hartford consistently informed Wright that it was awaiting the results of neuropsychological testing that would document the severity of his self-reported memory loss. See id. at A192-A200. Following Dr. Avery's Neuropsychological Assessment on October 2, 2001, Dr. Cohen submitted an APS, indicating a level of impairment below that of [l]imited in performing some occupational duties. Id. at A191. Dr. Cohen additionally reported to Hartford that the tests showed that short term memory is good but that Wright had some weakness recalling long term events and narriatives[sic]. See id. at A193. Dr. Cohen indicated that Wright's MRI was normal. See id. Dr. Dalby submitted an APS shortly thereafter, stating that Wright suffered severe short term memory loss. This finding directly contradicted the neuropsychological test results, as reported by Dr. Cohen. See id. at A213. 35 Wright, thus, did not present a consistent diagnosis or opinion on functional limitation. Hartford's decision to deny further benefits was reasonably based on evidence indicating that Wright did not suffer the limitations in performing his essential job functions that would qualify him for the disability benefits. The timing of the denial of benefits did not evidence an improper motivation on the part of Hartford, amounting to a conflict of interest. 36