Long term disability claim - 18 months of hell to get approved

I have a degenerative spinal condition that prevents me from working. Applied for LTD through my employer's policy with Unum. They denied me THREE times before I finally got approved.

First denial: "insufficient medical evidence." Had my doctor write a 10 page letter. Second denial: "you can do sedentary work." Got a functional capacity evaluation proving I cant sit for more than 30 minutes. Third denial: some other BS reason I cant even remember.

Finally hired a disability attorney. He sent a letter threatening bad faith litigation and suddenly my claim was approved within 2 weeks. Funny how that works.

18 months without income nearly destroyed us financially. If youre applying for LTD, get a lawyer from day one. Dont wait like I did.