Social Security Blue Book Ptsd

How Can You Satisfy The Ptsd Disability Listing Requirements

The Social Security Administration maintains a list of conditions, known as the Blue Book, that are severe enough to be considered disabilities. If you suffer from a condition listed in the Blue Book, the SSA will conclude that you are disabled. This means you will qualify for benefits as long as you meet the SSAs other eligibility requirements regarding your work history.

The list of disabling conditions in the Blue Book is frequently updated. In 2017, the SSA added trauma and stressor-related disorders to the Blue Book. Your PTSD may fall under this category. But to satisfy this listings requirements, you must be able to provide medical documentation that proves:

• You were exposed to actual or threatened violence, death, or injury.
• You have experienced involuntary flashbacks of the traumatic experience.
• You avoid certain things that could remind you of the traumatic experience.
• You are experiencing mood or behavior disturbances as a result of the trauma.
• You are exhibiting heightened levels of arousal and reactivity.

Next, you will need to be able to prove with medical documentation that you are experiencing an extreme limitation of one or a marked limitation of two of the following mental functions:

• Understanding or applying information
• Managing ones self, including regulating emotions, living independently, etc.

If you cannot prove this, you can still satisfy the disability listing requirements if you are able to show that:

Ptsd Symptoms Can Be Debilitating

People experience PTSD in different ways. When symptoms become disabling, you may be able to collect disability benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of PTSD include ongoing:

• Intrusive memories of the trauma.

• Avoidance of the traumatic event or anything that reminds you of it.

• Memory problems.

• Being easily startled or frightened.

Triggers that can cause symptoms to arise include anything sensory such as sights, sounds, or smellsthat remind you of the initial traumatic event.

Recommended Reading: When Do Schizophrenia Symptoms Start

How Difficult Is It To Get Disability Benefits For Ptsd

If you want to get approved for Social Security Disability benefits, youll first need to prove the severity of your condition to the Social Security Administration. Sadly, simply having PTSD wont be enough to qualify for SSD, so youll want to make sure you put together a file filled with strong documentation and medical records before you even start the application. A trusted Social Security lawyer who has worked on many PTSD cases will be able to help you gather the necessary documents to create a winning case.

Don’t Miss: Social Security Office In Tulsa Ok

How Can You Receive A Medical

If you are initially denied disability benefits for PTSD, you may qualify for another type of benefit the SSA calls the medical-vocational allowance . To qualify for MVA, a Social Security mental health consultant must decide if your symptoms are detrimental enough to prevent you from working even though your symptoms may meet the criteria listed under trauma and stressor-related disorders.

For example, John is a 45-year-old Afghanistan War veteran diagnosed with PTSD. He has been taking medications and going to counseling for about a year and a half. Although he is physically well, he suffers from severe insomnia, nightmares, memory and concentration problems. He has attempted to work several jobs but had to quit because of extreme daytime fatigue, flashbacks and inability to focus on completing tasks. John may qualify for MVA benefit if he includes the proper documentation needed in his application.

Chapter : How Is Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnosed

KEY POINTS:

• Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test

Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy is complex, and often requires a series of tests to confirm. Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy can sometimes be challenging for physicians to diagnose, particularly in those who were previously diagnosed with a common condition that could lead to peripheral neuropathy, such as diabetes. This necessitates thoroughly investigating all the possible causes to be able to identify exactly what other medical issues that had potentially lead to developing peripheral neuropathy, and treat it as soon as possible.

This includes:

Medical history: your doctor will enquire about your symptoms, their severity, how long you have had them, what triggers them or makes them worse and whether specific measures make them better. You will also be asked about your smoking and alcohol habits, family history of neurologic disorders, your work, exposure to certain toxins or infectious diseases.

Physical exam: your doctor will examine you to try to find any physical signs of any other conditions that could cause peripheral neuropathy. They will also conduct a simple neurological exam to have a basic evaluation of the state of your sensory and motor functions, before requiring more specialized imaging tests.

Blood tests: such as blood glucose levels, complete blood count, liver and kidney functions, vitamin B12 levels, immunoproteins levels.

Genetic testing to exclude inherited neuropathy disorders.

Also Check: What To Say To Get Disability

Chapter : What Are The Symptoms And Signs Of Peripheral Neuropathy

KEY POINTS:

Distal motor symptoms in your upper extremities may include impaired fine hand coordination. Such symptoms can leave you are struggling to type or you find it difficult to perform certain tasks such as turning the keys to lock a door, or opening jars. Distal motor symptoms in your lower extremities can be experienced as foot slapping, toe scuffing or frequent tripping.

Other motor symptoms may include muscle shrinking, painful cramps, and uncontrolled twitching.

Furthermore, autonomic neuropathies have symptoms that correlate to the anatomic site of nerve damage as follows:

• gastrointestinal symptoms

What Mental Impairments Are In The Ssa Blue Book

The SSA Blue Book lists of all of the injuries or illnesses defined as disabling. It includes a list of mental impairments, which include the following:

• Brain Disorders This includes anyone who has suffered from cerebral trauma, brain cancer or advanced multiple sclerosis.
• Learning Disabilities This includes anyone who suffers from a functional impairment in addition to a low IQ. It can also include autism and ADHD .
• Anxiety This includes social anxiety, which can be so severe that it limits your ability to leave your home. It also includes PTSD .
• Depression This includes anyone who suffers from various forms of depression, such as major depression, manic depression or dysthymia.
• Personality Disorders This includes anyone who suffers from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder or oppositional defiant disorder.
• Other mental conditions The Blue Book considers other mental conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimers, as disabling.

Don’t Miss: How Often Does Edd Disability Pay

Somatic Symptom And Related Disorders

Individuals with these disorders may suffer from physical manifestations of the disorder that cannot be fully explained by a physical medical condition. Individuals suffering from these disorders may feel pain, preoccupation with having a serious medical condition, gastrointestinal problems or fatigue.

Claimants must show:

• Symptoms of voluntary sensory or motor function that cannot be attributed to another condition
• One or more somatic symptoms that are upsetting and are associated with extreme behaviors, feelings or thoughts
• Obsession with having a serious medical condition while not having any significant symptoms of the condition.

Contact Us Today And Get Mental Treatment For Your Anxiety Disorder

If you need help filing for SSDI or SSI benefits, then hire an attorney to help you. At Cannon Disability Law, we help you apply for benefits. We also help you appeal any SSA denial you receive. You only have 60 days to appeal a denial from the SSA. So, dont delay in calling our office. You do not want to miss the appeal 60 day time limit. We can answer your questions over the phone at no cost to you. We will give you advice on how to appeal an SSA denial.

It is always our goal to win benefits for our clients. In order to win your case, you will need mental health treatment. Seek help from a counselor. Also, get mental health treatment from a psychologist. Have your doctor give you medications to treat your condition. If you dont have health insurance, then go to the free and low cost mental health sources on this website. We have won over $100 million in ongoing and back due SSD benefits for our clients. Put our experience to work for you. Hire the Cannon Disability Law legal team.

You can hire us for no upfront fee. This is a contingency fee. It means we do not charge you an attorney fee until we win your case. If we do not win your case, there is no attorney fee. If you dont win, we dont get paid. Another good reason for us to win.

Recommended Reading: Can You File For Social Security Disability While Still Working

How Can A Disability Lawyer Help You Get Approved For Ptsd Benefits

People with psychological disorders routinely have a harder time getting approved for SSDI or SSI than people with physically incapacitating disorders simply because mental illnesses are more difficult to document and prove. Having a disability lawyer acting on your behalf while dealing with the Social Security Administration means your application will be submitted containing all the documentation and forms essential for swift approval. In fact, the primary reason why nearly 70 percent of all initial disability applications are denied is because of improper or insufficient documentation of mental or physical illness.

If you or someone you know may qualify for PTSD disability benefits, contact Joel Thrift Law today to schedule a consultation appointment.

Documenting Your Ptsd For Social Security

It is important to make sure that Social Security has all the medical evidence related to your PTSD and all your other impairments, including records of inpatient or outpatient psychiatric treatment and clinic notes from counseling and therapy. While Social Security will usually request your treatment records from the previous year when you file your disability application, you should provide Social Security with all relevant records from the last several years, if not more.

In addition, if your treating mental health provider is willing to complete an RFC form or write a letter on your behalf, this could give you a much better chance of being approved. The RFC form should ask for your diagnosis and symptoms, and it should address your ability to:

• sustain a routine without special supervision
• maintain attention and concentration
• understand, remember, and carry out simple and complex instructions
• avoid excessive absences from work
• make simple work-related decisions
• interact appropriately with supervisors, coworkers, and the general public, and
• be on time to work and avoid taking unscheduled breaks from the job.

Your doctor should also state the medical basis for his or her opinions, and address whether you meet the above listing for PTSD.

You could be eligible for up to $3,345 per month In SSDI Benefits

Read Also: How Long Does It Take To Recover From Ptsd

Evidence You Will Need To Qualify For A Ptsd Medical Vocational Allowance

You were having nightmares for weeks, and your family had been tiptoeing around you, hoping that you just needed a little time to get better. So while you werent entirely surprised when your doctor diagnosed you with post-traumatic stress disorder, you were surprised when the Social Security Administration denied your application for benefits due to anxiety-related disorders. How are you supposed to get the help you need if Social Security if you cant work and you have been denied disability benefits? The answer could be that you may actually qualify for a PTSD medical vocational allowance.

Medical Equivalence: What If You Don’t Meet The Blue Book Listing

When you don’t meet all of the medical criteria specified in a disability listing, you still could argue that you’re disabled based on medical “equivalence.” You’ll need to prove that your impairment has the same level of severity and lasts as long as a particular Blue Book listing, even though it doesn’t match the criteria exactly.

At the initial application stage, the SSA’s medical and psychological consultants will review your disability claim and give an opinion as to whether your medical condition meets or equals a listing. This is the first step in the SSA disability process, where it’s common for claims to be denied. If your claim is denied at this stage, you should appeal.

At the disability appeal hearing level, an administrative law judge will decide if your impairment equals a listing or if you qualify for a medical-vocational allowance. You’ll want to consult with a disability attorney to prepare your case ahead of the ALJ hearing.

Also Check: Does Social Security Disability Include Medicare

Contact Our Disability Attorneys For Help With Your Mental Illness Claim

Individuals who suffer from any of the mental disabilities described above can contact an experienced Social Security disability attorney for an evaluation of his or her case. Our attorneys have decades of experience guiding individuals through the application and appeal process.

Your initial consultation with our firm is free and we do not require payment for anything unless we recover compensation for you.

Call to schedule a free consultation.

What Mental Disorders Are Covered By Ssdi

Mental illness affects millions of people in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20.6 percent of American adults dealt with mental illness in 2019. About five percent of U.S. adults experienced severe mental illness in the same year. Many individuals with mental illness find it difficult to be successful at work and to maintain healthy, fulfilling relationships.

At The Law Offices of Michael Hartup, we have years of experience helping Tennessee residents and their families apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. If you have a mental illness, we can help you understand whether it qualifies for SSDI payments. Well also walk you through the application process if needed.

online form to schedule a consultation.

Also Check: Dsm 5 Childhood Ptsd Criteria

Please Answer A Few Questions To Help Us Determine Your Eligibility

Step 1 of 11< backforward >

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.

How Much Disability Can I Get For Ptsd

If the SSA determines that you are disabled because PTSD prevents you from working, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. The SSA has an online benefits calculator that can help you estimate potential SSD benefits. An SSD attorney can also help you estimate how much you could receive in Disability benefits, as well as help you seek the maximum benefits for your PTSD.

Recommended Reading: The Hartford Short-term Disability

How To Qualify For A Disability Due To Ptsd

To determine if you are medically eligible for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration has a set of procedures in place. These procedures are published in a handbook known as the Blue Book, and it includes a list of various disabling conditions known as listings. PTSD can be considered a disability by the SSA if the criteria for Listings 12.15 Trauma- and stressor-related disorders are met by the applicant. Within the sections of the Blue Book listing, applicants need to match sections A and B, or sections A and C in the listing for Trauma- and stressor-related disorders.

Ptsd And The Ssa Blue Book

The SSA Blue Book includes a list of qualifying medical and mental illness impairments. This listing contains medical criteria that applies to how they evaluate impairments when determining disability benefits.

In the SSA Blue Book, there are 11 categories listed for mental disorders. Within this portion, Section 12.15 includes trauma and stressor-related disorders, which includes PTSD.

According to the SSA, the disorder is characterized by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and the psychological aftermath of clinically significant effects on functioning. Examples of symptoms and signs of PTSD may include:

• Distressing memories
• Dreams and flashbacks related to the trauma or stressor
• Avoidant behavior
• Diminished interest or participation in significant activities
• Persistent negative emotional states
• Persistent inability to experience positive emotions
• Anxiety or irritability
• Aggression or exaggerated startle response
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disturbance

If your PTSD is severe enough that prevents you from working, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. Do you need help applying for disability?Contact us today.

Also Check: What Can Be Done For Ptsd

What Are The Aftereffects Of Ptsd

As stated, people with post-traumatic stress disorder have witnessed or gone through one or more traumatic events. The condition is a type of anxiety disorder that originates directly from the traumatic experience. Many individuals with PTSD experience frequent feelings of helplessness, shock, and fear.

Although many overcome trauma with time and evidence-based coping methods, many individuals find it difficult to move past the shock and suffer from acute mental conditions. Living a normal life becomes a challenge when the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder begin to worsen.

Besides affecting psychological health, symptoms of PTSD can also wreak havoc on a persons physical health. PTSD may also increase the risk of other mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, and other diseases.

Social Security disability for PTSD is possible if you can prove that your long-term disability is from PTSD. Submitting all required documents in support of your disability will make your case strong and reduce the chance of a denial.