Does PTSD qualify for Social Security Disability?

    In this story I am attaching it says that 1 in 11 people at some point in their life will suffer 

some form of PTSD. That statistic is mind blowing to me. If you read this article please tell me 

if you agree that this type of treatment could help with PTSD.  New Virtual Reality Technology 

to Treat PTSD Enters Clinical Trials | University of Central Florida News (ucf.edu)

    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), is an anxiety 

disorder that usually occurs after a person has been involved in a traumatic event, such as 

military combat, sexual assault, childhood abuse, a severe car accident, or a natural disaster. 

Those with PTSD commonly experience nightmares, flashbacks, or panic attacks that 

seriously interfere with everyday life. Some people will think obsessively about their past 

trauma, while others will become emotionally numb and avoid thinking about it at all costs

    The symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder will normally begin to manifest within 

three months of the event that led to the disorder. In some cases, however, the condition may 

not manifest for years. At times, a patient experiencing PTSD may feel that they are getting 

better, only to have the symptoms come back full force at a later point in time. This is 

because the symptoms of the disorder can come and go, being ignited by stress or a 

situation that triggers a memory of the event.

     For a claimant with PTSD to qualify for disability benefits, the Social Security 

Administration will need evidence of anxiety or emotional disturbance.  These are caused by 

regular flashbacks, nightmares, or memories. However, this evidence must be well-

documented to prove the ongoing battle.

    To meet the requirement of anxiety, you must have disruptive flashbacks, nightmares, or memories that cause “marked distress”. This means that you suffer from near-extreme anxiety or emotional disturbance. Furthermore, can come memories that make you uncomfortable. The marked distress must interfere with your daily activities, social life, or ability to concentrate. Other ways to qualify under the anxiety listing are as listed.

  • symptoms of panic attacks
  • OCD
  • phobias
  • generalized anxiety due to your PTSD

    The content of your medical records is critical to the processing of a SSDI claim. In your record there should be at least one detailed description of a typical episode of PTSD. Be sure to include the frequency and duration of any panic attacks. As well as what triggers your symptoms. A doctor should include whether your description of your symptoms matches his/her opinion of your mental state. Also, your medical records should detail how your PTSD symptoms impact your ability to function at home and work.

If you need helping applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases.

Location: United States

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sample questions you may be asked at your social security hearing

  Every case is different; no list will contain EVERY question an administrative law judge might ask, and the questions may not be asked in exactly this way, or in this order, but this information should help prevent you from feeling like questions are coming at you from “left field.” Going over this list will also spur you to think about things you might not have previously considered (such as how long you can sit, stand, walk or concentrate). You will NOT be asked every single question on this list and it is NOT useful to try to memorize answers to the questions. Just read over the list in the days before your hearing. Of course, this list should NOT be construed as legal advice pertaining to your case, and by providing it, I am not acting as your lawyer. My intention is just to provide some really helpful, general information. I. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION Name – address – date of birth Marital Status and maiden name Former spouse information Do you live in a house, apar...
Read more

Frequency of Medical Treatment

The frequency of your medical treatment is an important factor in your Social Security disability claim. A diagnosis is a first step, but a judge must evaluate your functional limitations due to your medical condition. And when evaluating the seriousness of your functional limitations, regular doctor visits are helpful. Looking at the cases of mine that were not granted in the past year or so, the lack of medical treatment played a role in almost every one. There a lots of reasons not to go to the doctor. There are co-pays. Sometimes there is little the doctor can do for you. Perhaps you do not want to complain to the doctor about your daily struggles. But without regular doctor visits, you may have an uphill battle for disability benefits. Also, the more the doctor sees you and is familiar with your condition, the more likely that the doctor will provide an opinion regarding your functional limitations. Those opinions are often the most persuasive medical evidence available to a perso...
Read more

Covid Long Haul and Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability is a federal program to assist individuals who suffer from long-term disabilities that will keep them from working for 12 months or longer. This program is funded through payroll taxes that everyone sees on their pay stubs.  Applying for SSDI as a COVID long-hauler is a bit of a complex topic at this point. Due to the associated symptoms of long COVID, it is reasonable to connect having the disease and qualifying for disability benefits. However, every case is individually considered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) before approval, and there are plenty of cases that are later approved after being initially denied.  Long COVID, or long-haul COVID, is a term to describe a syndrome where symptoms continue months after a coronavirus infection. Researchers think that 10% to 30% of patients who had COVID infections might suffer from long COVID, or "post-COVID syndrome," whether their initial illness was serious or not. Some researchers define ...
Read more