Can I Work With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is exactly what its name implies: a stress disorder which follows a particularly distressing event or series of events. The event can be something that was physically traumatic or something which was psychologically traumatic . In many cases, such as those who were wounded during battle, the event may have been both physically and psychologically traumatic.
Common symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder include: nightmares about the event, flashbacks of the event, and a heightened sense of anxiety about thee event being repeated, whether there is rational reason to believe it might or not. These symptoms and conditions often lead to sleeplessness, avoidance of places, people or specific situations, hyperactivity, anger, and anxiety. Treatments usually consist of psychological therapy, medication, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
A Social Security Disability lawyer will know better than anyone else exactly what the Social Security Administration is looking for in determining whether or not your Post Traumatic Stress disorder qualifies you for Social Security Disability benefits.
Impairments That Qualify For Ptsd Disability Benefits
Some disability claims for post traumatic stress disorder are approved by satisfying the Blue Book listing requirements under Anxiety Disorders. To do this, you must meet the requirements of Paragraph A and the requirements of either Paragraph B or Paragraph C.
In addition, you must meet the conditions of either paragraph B or C below:
Your medical records must document at least one of the following findings:
Your medical records must show at least two of the following findings:
Disability Compensation For Veterans With Ptsd
The VA will acknowledge PTSD is a service-related disability provided you can verify that your PTSD symptoms are directly linked to your military service. The VA considers the following scenarios to be traumatic events, or stressors, in a veterans claim for disability benefits based on PTSD:
- you sustained serious injury, personal or sexual trauma, or sexual violation, or
- you were threatened with injury, sexual assault, or death
The VA reports that PTSD is the leading mental health issue suffered by troops returning home from combat. As stated by the VAs National Center for PTSD, many veterans of recent combat operations experience PTSD, including:
- 11 to 20 out of every 100 veterans who participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom
- 12 out of every 100 Gulf War Veterans who participated in the Gulf War
- 30 out of every 100 Vietnam veterans who participated in the Vietnam War had PTSD in their lifetime.
- PTSD can relate to a traumatic sexual event. A distressing number of veterans have suffered sexual assault, abuse, and harassment while serving in the armed forces, referred to as military sexual trauma .
Eligibility for disability benefits for PTSD from the VA is based on the following:
Remember, if you are a veteran diagnosed with PTSD, you may qualify for VA compensation, Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, or both.
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Do Not Give Up Our Disability Attorneys Can Review Your Potential Ptsd Ssd Case
A Social Security disability benefits denial is not the end of the road. The majority of Social Security disability applications are deniedoften because of technical mistakes on the application or missing information. If you have PTSD and this has happened to you, then we encourage you not to give up.
No single test can conclusively confirm that you have PTSD. Accordingly, you need significant medical documentation about your condition and you need to present that evidence to the Social Security Administration.
If you have PTSD and your application for Social Security disability benefits was denied, then we invite you to contact an experienced Social Security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Our caring and compassionate staff will study every aspect of your claim and present the right evidence to the Social Security Administration. We will file all of your paperwork, represent you in all hearings, and take the burden off of your shoulders. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please start a live chat with us now or call us at any time.
What You Need To Know About Ptsd Disability
Most people think of physical injuries and diseases when they think of disabilities. However, mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder , are also disabilities. PTSD can prevent a person from returning to work or earning their regular income. Many employees suffering from this disorder cant perform their job-related duties or find work elsewhere.
Workers who have PTSD could pursue benefits through their employers workers compensation insurance or Social Security disability. If you meet the specific requirements, you could collect the benefit payments you need to pay for medical treatment and supplement your lost wages.
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Medical Evidence Needed To Qualify For Ssdi For Post
The question of “is PTSD a disability” can be proven with a presentation of your medical records. When filing for disability benefits with PTSD, your medical records should show at least one detailed documentation of a typical episode of PTSD symptoms. Details that help include the frequency and duration of the panic attacks and what triggers or worsens your symptoms. Additionally, it helps to have your doctor’s professional opinion on if your PTSD symptoms match your normal mental state, and how your PTSD symptoms affect your ability to function both at home and at work.
Do Veterans Need To Have All Of The Symptoms Listed To Receive A Ptsd Rating
As mentioned above, the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders includes a large number of symptoms for each disability rating. Importantly, a veteran does not need to exhibit every symptom named in the PTSD rating scale in order to qualify for a specific rating. For example, a veteran who only experiences suicidal ideation and near-continuous panic or depression still falls under the 70 percent PTSD disability rating according to VA law.
Specifically, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims case, Mauerhan v. Principi, established that the symptoms listed in Diagnostic Code 9411 are not intended to constitute an exhaustive list, but rather serve as examples of the type and degree of symptoms, or their effects, that would justify a particular rating. Therefore, a veteran can have any number of the symptoms listed in the rating criteria and still meet that level of evaluation.
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James Scott Farrin Wants To Help You With Your Ptsd Disability Claim
The Social Security Disability team at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin understands how confusing the claims process can be. And we also know that many people think they cannot afford an attorney. We work on a contingency fee basis so that you pay no attorneys fee unless we get you compensation.2 Call us today for a free case evaluation today.
About the Author
Rick Fleming practices Social Security Disability law at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. In addition to heading up the firms Social Security Disability Department, he is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law and fluent in English and Spanish. Rick has received multiple Order of Service awards from the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and he is an active board member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives . He currently holds the board-elected position of NOSSCR Treasurer, after completing a year serving as the organizations Secretary.
How To Win Disability Benefits For Ptsd
August 20, 2021 By Jeremy Schooley
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a very real disability that is often misunderstood. Living with PTSD becomes more devastating when sufferers find they can no longer do their jobs. Getting much-needed disability benefits for PTSD can be particularly frustrating.
If you are struggling with PTSD and cannot work, we can help you obtain the benefits you deserve. Marc Whitehead & Associates is a national law firm advocating for the rights of those who have been disabled by PTSD. The disorder can afflict anyone exposed to dire stress or trauma, from veterans in combat to individuals who experience or witness a horrible or life-threatening incident.
Some people are disabled by PTSD alone, while others with PTSD struggle with additional impairments. Research has linked traumatic stress exposures and post-traumatic stress disorder to such conditions as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders, eating and sleep disorders, and other diseases.
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How Can The Nba Help Me
The National Benefit Authority is a go-to resource Canadians can turn to when applying for the Disability Tax Credit. Our in-house specialists specialize in all aspects of the DTC: well quickly determine your eligibility, fill out the necessary paperwork , follow up with your doctor and Canada Revenue Agency on your behalf for a fast and secure claim process.
Your Disability Tax Credit amount will vary based on the severity of your condition, but well work towards recovering the maximum PTSD disability youre entitled to!
Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits
You could receive Social Security disability benefits if you meet these requirements:
- Your condition falls under the Social Security Administrations definition of a disability
- You paid Social Security taxes at your jobs
Typically, monthly benefit payments are available to workers who are unable to return to their jobs for longer than a year. If your PTSD results from a traumatic event outside of work and prevents you from maintaining employment, you could apply for benefits. The amount of your payments will depend on the number of years you worked and your average wages before your diagnosis.
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Va Disability Compensation For Ptsd
Posttraumatic stress can happen after someone goes through a traumatic event such as combat, an assault, or a disaster. Most people have some stress reactions following trauma. But if the reactions dont go away over time or they disrupt your life, you may have posttraumatic stress disorder . Find out if you can get disability compensation or benefits if you have symptoms of PTSD.
I Have Ptsd: Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits
Not all war wounds are immediately visible. Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at a higher rate than veterans of any other conflict in American history. As outlined below, even if you receive other benefits, like Defense Base Act benefits, you could also be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.
These injuries are certainly not unique to Southwest Asia campaigns. Back during the Civil War, many soldiers exhibited what we recognize as classic PTSD symptoms, like hypervigilance, depression, and extreme mood swings. But doctors diagnosed this condition as nostalgia, which was basically an advanced form of homesickness. The prescribed therapy was normally participation in an intense offensive campaign, to take their minds off their troubles. Ironically, of course, intense combat probably caused the symptoms in the first place.
Treatment has advanced considerably since then. Doctors now know that PTSD is a physical brain injury. So, the Canadian Armed Forces recently eliminated the PTSD label, which has some baggage and is misleading, and replaced it with Operational Stress Injury. Soldiers with combat-related OSI are entitled to the Sacrifice Medal, which is the Canadian equivalent of a Purple Heart.
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Disability Benefit Lawyers For Veterans With Ptsd
Can I receive disability benefits for PTSD? Yes, you can receive a disability rating and compensation for PTSD. The VA provides compensation for veterans who are service-connected for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Generally, a veteran must meet 3 criteria:
- A current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder
- An in-service stressor
- A nexus or link between the current diagnosis and the in-service stressor.
The key is that the veteran be prepared to show that he has a current disability, that there was a stressor, and that there is a link or a nexus between the disability and the in-service stressor. In order to receive a sufficient rating, the disorder must have a disruptive impact in a veterans day-to-day life. This includes nightmares that keep you from sleeping, flashbacks that prevent you from working, or anxiety that impedes your ability to interact with other people. Occasional disturbing memories alone that stem from your service will most likely not be enough for you to qualify for disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The private doctors statement carries more weight with the VA when the private doctor indicates he has reviewed the veterans service medical records and other medical information and documentation an believes that it is as likely as not that the veterans PTSD was a result of military service
- Fear of a specific location
- Obsessive or compulsive behavior
- Weekly panic attacks
Winning Long Term Disability Benefits For Ptsd From The Insurance Company
Convincing the insurance company that PTSD is a disability can be an uphill battle. What does it take to show an insurance carrier that you are unable to work because of your disorder and its complications?
Your first action is to read the policy and understand any limitations and exclusions. Here are a few common restrictive provisions written into most long term disability policies:
- Insurance policies often take a hard line and limit coverage of mental and nervous conditions. This umbrella term generally limits PTSD and other mental health disorders to 24-months coverage. If you are awarded short-term disability benefits, just as the 24-months of benefits expire the insurer will say you do not qualify for long-term disability, and disability payments will end.
- LTD policies often have an act of war exclusion upon which insurers may try to base denials of disability benefits for PTSD.
- Most insurance policies will require that you also apply for Social Security disability benefits. The reason is, any disability payments the insurance company pays you will be offset by the amount of your Social Security disability payments. And just because Social Security approves your disability claim for PTSD, this has no bearing on whether your insurance company will approve your claim for long-term disability benefits for PTSD.
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Contact Gillette Law Group
Post-traumatic stress disorder can restrict your work and your life in insidious ways. While it can be difficult to apply for Social Security disability benefits, do not be discouraged. You may truly deserve assistance, and we at Gillette Law Group can help you obtain it. Our service has effectively helped numerous applicants make a successful disability claim, and we can do this for you, too.
Your application or appeal may have a deadline, so talk to us as soon as you can. Your consultation is free. Call us at 873-2604 today.
Documenting Symptoms Can Be Key For Ptsd Sufferers
Keeping a detailed record of PTSD symptoms and treatment is often the best way to show the Social Security Administration that this condition impairs a patients ability to work. Thorough documentation can include:
- Records of treatments, including notes from therapy sessions
- A statement from the physician treating your PTSD
In addition, you may want to speak to an experienced attorney about your application. They can help you collect documentation that will give your application for disability benefits the best chance for success.
Learn More
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Social Security’s Disability Listing For Ptsd
There are two ways for Social Security to find you disabled based on PTSD. The first is for you to satisfy the requirements of Social Security’s new disability listing for PTSD. The second way is to receive a “medical-vocational allowance” by showing that your impairments prevent you from working full-time.)
The disability listing for PTSD was added in 2017 as listing 12.15, Trauma- and stressor-related disorders. To fulfill the criteria for the listing, you must have medically documented evidence of all of the following:
- exposure to a death or threatened death, serious injury, or violence
- subsequent involuntary re-experiencing of the traumatic event
- avoidance of external reminders of the event
- disturbance in mood and behavior, and
- increases in “arousal and reactivity” .
In addition to proving the above, you must show that you have severe or extreme limitations in certain areas. You must have either an extreme limitation in one of the following areas or a “marked” limitation in two of the following areas:
- adapting or managing oneself
- interacting with others
- concentrating on tasks
- learning, understanding, and remembering information .
If you don’t currently suffer from any extreme or severe limitations in the above areas because you are living in a highly protected or supervised situation or you are undergoing intense therapy, you can provide certain documentation to fulfill the listing. You must show that:
Please Answer A Few Questions To Help Us Determine Your Eligibility
Post-traumatic stress disorder can be the basis for a successful Social Security disability claim, but it must be properly medically documented. In deciding whether you are disabled, the Social Security Administration will consider your medical records, including hospital records and clinic notes from physicians, therapists, and counselors. You should ask your treating mental health provider to complete a Residual Functional Capacity form for you, which will address the work-related limitations caused by your PTSD. Social Security generally gives special consideration to the opinions of treating doctors, and an RFC form can make the difference between an approval and a denial of your disability claim.
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