Getting Social Security Disability For Ptsd
Disability claims for PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, can be approved by disability claims examiners in two separate ways. The first route for approval is for individuals whose medical records satisfy the requirements of Social Security’s new disability listing on trauma- and stressor-related disorders, added in 2017. The second means of approval is to get a “medical-vocational allowance.” This may sound like it’s an exception, but it’s actually the manner in which the great majority of SSDI and SSI disability claims are approved.
Qualifying For Disability Benefits With Ptsd
The Social Security Administration has a guide that lists the requirements for particular impairments to qualify for disability benefits known as the Blue Book or the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security. Chapter 12 of the Blue Book is related to mental conditions and section 12.06 Anxiety-related Disorders describes the requirements needed for an individual to qualify with PTSD. An applicant with PTSD filing for disability benefits must satisfy the severity levels for requirements A and B or requirements A and C.
Applicant must have documentation of one of the following:
- Persistent severe anxiety with various symptoms
- Reoccurring, intrusive, stressful memories of a traumatic event
- Consistent irrational fear of a particular object or situation
- Reoccurring severe panic attacks happening on average once a week
- Consistent compulsions or obsessions that causes distress
Applicant must have documentation of at least two of the following:
- Difficulty with maintaining social functioning
- Difficulty with maintaining concentration, persistence or pace
- Repeated episodes of decompensation of extended length
Requirement C
Applicant must have medical evidence that proves they are completely unable to function independently anywhere outside the area of his or her home.
Va Rating Scale For Ptsd
0 PTSD Rating Criteria
A mental condition hasbeen formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interferewith occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication.
10 PTSD Rating Criteria
Occupational and socialimpairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency andability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significantstress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication.
30 PTSD Rating Criteria
Occupational and socialimpairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periodsof inability to perform occupational tasks , dueto such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss .
50 PTSD Rating Criteria
Occupational and socialimpairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as:flattened affect circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech panicattacks more than once a week difficulty in understanding complex commands impairment of short- and long-term memory impaired judgment impairedabstract thinking disturbances of motivation and mood difficulty inestablishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.
70 PTSD Rating Criteria
How to get 100 VA disability from the VA for PTSD Total Occupational and Social Impairment
100 VA Disability from the VA for PTSD
This is not true!
However, the opposite is also true.
You May Like: How Long Does It Take To Get Ssdi Back Pay
Additional Proof And Paperwork Requirements
If at any point the SSA asks for additional information or proof of disability from you, you need to respond to their requests quickly. Many people have their disability terminated every year not because they got better, but because the SSA is unable to determine whether they have a disability or not. If you do not respond to the SSAs requests for information, they might claim that they cannot determine whether you are still disabled, and they might terminate your benefits because of it. In some cases, you may need to work with a lawyer or get medical help to fill out the documents, which could take more time.
Work with a lawyer to get the extensions you need and to fill out any necessary paperwork to avoid having your benefits terminated. Get in touch with our Fayetteville, AR termination of benefits lawyer immediately if your benefits have been terminated or if your application for disability benefits was denied in Arkansas.
What Happens If You Cannot Satisfy The Listing Criteria
Meeting the criteria of the Listing of Impairments to prove PTSD can be difficult but failing to do so does not mean you cannot get Social Security approved for PTSD. The evaluation process used by Social Security lets it review your application for benefits to determine if your PTSD is severe enough to prevent you from performing work that you did before the onset of the disability. It also looks at your age, education, work history, and other factors to determine if your impairment permits you to engage in other types of work.
Also Check: How Much Does Disability Pay In California
Types Of Disability Benefits In Arkansas For Victims Of Ptsd
If your PTSD meets the criteria set by the Social Security Administration, you will be eligible to receive ongoing benefits. Since PTSD and other disabilities can prevent those suffering from it from being able to work to be able to pay for rent, groceries, and other necessities, disability payments are meant to replace the lost income through the SSDI program.
Services You Can Trust
Many Canadians with disabilities dont get approved because they opt to fill out their T2201 Form themselves rather than seek the help of a professional. If youre living with a severe and prolonged mental or physical disability, we can get you approved for the Disability Tax Credit.
We have been helping clients with their applications for the Disability Tax Credit for many years now, and we can guarantee that you will be satisfied with our services.
You May Like: How To Calculate Disability Retirement Pay
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.
Speak To A Lawyer Who Can Advocate For Your Va Claim
Receiving VA disability compensation can be complicated, so having a veterans disability attorney on your side can be helpful. Hill and Ponton is a nationwide law firm advocating for the rights of veterans everywhere.
Our lawyers have over 30 years of experience in social security disability law and were always ready to speak to veterans who have questions about the VA disability claims process, if theyre eligible, and what disability benefits theyre entitled to.
Don’t Miss: How Much Does Disability Pay In California
How To Get 100 Va Disability From The Va For Ptsd
A lot of veterans suffering from service connected PTSD want to know how to get 100 VA disability from the VA for PTSD.
According to VA statistics, 13.1% of all veteransreceiving disability compensation for mental health have a 100 percent rating forPTSD.
The 100 PTSD rating has the most serious symptoms of occupational and social impairment, according to 38 CFR PTSD.
VA disability for PTSD is rated from 0 percentto 100 percent, with breaks at 10 percent, 30 percent, 50 percent, and 70percent.
How To File A Va Claim For Ptsd
If youre wondering how to get 100 VA disability from the VA for PTSD or you think you deserve a higher VA rating for PTSD, you should read How to File a Claim for PTSD.
? Join VA Claims Insider Elite, get instant access to the ELITE Experience Portal and $7,500 worth of proprietary VA claim resources TODAY, and have our medical team get started on your VA disability claim for FREE:
> > < <
Also Check: How To Calculate Disability Retirement Pay
What The Va Considers Trauma
In the realm of Veterans Affairs, where the trauma needs to have occurred while you are on active duty in a branch of the military, what does the VA consider traumatic?
They specify that becoming seriously injured, experiencing a personal or sexual trauma or sexual violation are all traumas that can lead to PTSD. Along with experiencing these things, simply being threatened by them can be enough as well.
Specifically, the VA lists being threatened by injury, sexual assault, or death, which can seem a little vague, so what does that mean exactly? It could mean someone has verbally threatened you or it could mean you witnessed something that made you feel as though your life were in danger.
The VA has a site to help veterans apply for disability, which could include regular payments , medical treatment for PTSD, and other generalized healthcare.
What Conditions Automatically Qualify You For Ssdi
Some conditions automatically qualify for disability benefits if you have a confirmed diagnosis. The Compassionate Allowances List Acute leukemia. Lou Gehrigs disease Stage IV breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer. Gallbladder cancer. Early-onset Alzheimers disease. Small cell lung cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Recommended Reading: How To Increase Your Va Disability Rating
What Does Not Count In The 14
Some activities do not count in the 14 hours per week requirement, such as:
- the time a portable or implanted device takes to deliver the therapy
- activities related to dietary restrictions or regimes, even when these activities are a factor in determining the daily dosage of medication
- activities related to exercising, even when these activities are a factor in determining the daily dosage of medication
- travel time to receive the therapy
- going to medical appointments
View the life-sustaining therapy video to help you understand the criteria.
Medical Evidence Required For Ptsd Disability
What is in your medical records means everything to the processing of a SSDI or SSI disability claim. Your medical records should contain at least one detailed description of a typical episode of PTSD, including the frequency and duration of any panic attacks and what brings on worsening symptoms. Your doctor should also include whether your description of your symptoms matches his opinion of your mental state. Most importantly, your medical records should include how your PTSD symptoms affect your ability to function, both at home and at work.
Read Also: How Is Military Disability Retirement Pay Calculated
Benefits To Cover Family Members
People with PTSD who qualify for disability benefits in Arkansas can get additional benefits for any minor children in their care, their spouse, and a divorced spouse. These benefits may be an additional 50% to 80% of your total benefits. Note that children and young adults with disabilities may qualify for benefits on their parents record, but must meet slightly different medical definitions of severity to qualify. Young adults can claim SSDI benefits through their parents work record as soon as they turn 22. To learn more about which disability benefits you qualify for, speak with a disability lawyer about whether you can disability benefits for children with PTSD in Arkansas today.
Winning Social Security Disability Benefits For Ptsd
The SSA defines post-traumatic stress disorder as recurrent and intrusive recollections of a traumatic experience, which are a source of marked distress.
You may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits for PTSD if you satisfy several criteria specified in the SSAs medical Listing of Impairments.
PTSD is categorized as a Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder, under SSA Listing 12.15. The medical requirements are spelled out in three parts, A, B, and C. Your symptoms must satisfy the requirements of paragraphs A and B OR A and C.
Part A is about medical evidence and documentation. Part A specifies five characteristics to diagnose a stress or trauma-related disorder, and all must be present.
Part B, which requires the extreme limitation of one, or of two, of the following areas of mental functioning:
Part C of the medical listing for Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders requires that post-traumatic stress disorder is serious and persistent that is, you have a medically documented history of the existence of PTSD for at least 2 years, and there is evidence of both:
Recommended Reading: How Much Does Disability Pay In California
Help For Ptsd: Getting Va Disability Benefits
If you are a Veteran suffering from symptoms of PTSD and have received a diagnosis, you may be eligible to receive compensation from the VA. The VA deems sufferers of PTSD eligible for tax-free disability benefits if they have a diagnosis and can verify that their traumatic experience was service-related.
When you are hoping to obtain disability benefits from the VA for PTSD, you need to be able to confirm that service-related trauma has had a negative impact on your life. Chances are, though, if you are experiencing diagnosable symptoms of PTSD, your life is being negatively affected by your trauma. The VA will give you a disability rating based on the severity of your case. Based on your disability rating, which will be between 0% and 100%, you can receive lower or higher benefits.
Satisfying The Social Security Listing With Ptsd
The new disability listing for trauma- and stressor-related disorders, listing 12.15, first requires medical documentation of all five of the following:
- exposure to actual 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 .
Once a diagnosis of PTSD is made by a psychologist or psychiatrist under the above criteria, Social Security then determines if the applicant has the required level of functional limitations due to post-traumatic stress. An applicant must have either an extreme limitation in one of the following areas or a “marked” limitation in two of the following areas:
- understanding, remembering, or using information
- interacting with others in socially appropriate ways
- being able to concentrate on tasks in order to complete them at a reasonable pace
- adapting or managing oneself .
You May Like: Reserve Component Retirement Pay Calculator
Can You Get Disability For Ptsd In Arkansas
We Fight for Injured Victims in Arkansas Every Single Day
Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder caused by traumatic experiences and terrifying events. Symptoms include feelings of horror and powerlessness, recurring and unwanted memories of the event, upsetting dreams and nightmares, and severe emotional distress. One of the leading causes of PTSD is military service, but other traumatic events involving imminent harm and death are potential causes. PTSD can create emotional and physical changes to the body that can limit a persons ability to perform their regular work duties. Fortunately, the Social Security Disability Insurance program allows workers who are suffering from PTSD to get benefits so they can focus on their mental and physical health. For more information about getting disability for PTSD in Arkansas, continue reading as the Fayetteville, AR disability lawyers from the law offices of Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, explain the topic in detail.
Your Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Disability Case
If you are disabled because of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that is severe enough to prevent you from working, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income . You can learn more by filling out a quick and free evaluation form regarding your case.
Working closely with medical professionals and a qualified Social Security disability attorney or advocate to collect and present the appropriate documentation to support your disability claim in front of the Disability Determination Services can help to ensure that your Post Traumatic Stress Disorder disability case will have the highest possible chance of success.
Also Check: Va Direct Deposit Change Bank
What Medical Evidence Is Required To Prove Ptsd
What is in your medical records means everything to proving your SSDI claim. Your mental health records should have a detailed description of what happened to you. There should also be at least one detailed description of a typical episode of PTSD, including the frequency and duration of any panic attacks, and what brings on worsening symptoms. Your doctor should also include whether your description of your symptoms matches his or her opinion of your mental status. Most importantly, your medical records should include how your PTSD symptoms effect your ability to function, both at home and at work.
Filing For Social Security Disability With A Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis
Post traumatic stress disorder cases are approved by SSA either by satisfying the criteria under Section 12.06 of the Blue Book, or by medical vocational allowance.
Most PTSD claims are approved as a medical vocational allowance. If SSA finds that your PTSD symptoms are not severe enough to meet the listing, it will award a medical allowance if the condition is severe enough to prevent you from working in a former job and severe enough to prevent you from working at another job that would pay you a substantial and gainful income.
You May Like: How To Get Disability For Multiple Sclerosis
How To Get Social Security Disability Approved For Ptsd
According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD affects about 3.5 million adults in the United States. It is a mental health disorder that may cause extreme and disturbing thoughts and emotions in people who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event, such as war, a serious car accident, or sexual violence.
People with post-traumatic stress disorder may experience nightmares and flashbacks forcing them to relive or be reminded of the traumatic event. The APA estimates that one in 11 people will, at some point in their lives, be informed by a health care professional of a PTSD diagnosis.
If you have been diagnosed with PTSD that causes you to be unable to work, you may qualify to get Social Security disability PTSD benefits provided the condition meets guidelines to qualify for them. You should begin with a free consultation and claim evaluation with an SSD advocate at London Eligibility to learn more about how the facts of your specific condition may affect your ability to qualify for benefits.