Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Security Disability Benefits

Chicago Attorney for Disability Benefits Applications

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, more commonly known as “PTSD,” is a severe anxiety disorder. PTSD usually develops after an individual has been exposed to an event resulting in psychological trauma. The event usually involves a threat of death or imminent bodily harm. For this reason, PTSD is fairly common among military veterans. PTSD can significantly impair one’s ability to function. For example, those suffering from PTSD often try to avoid certain places or things that can increase their anxiety. If you suffer from PTSD, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI), feel free to contact Pearson Disabilty Law LLC.

Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits If I Suffer From PTSD?

PTSD is absolutely recognized by the Social Security Administration! However, it can be very difficult to win a Social Security disability benefits case for PTSD. Unlike many physical conditions where a judge can actually look at you and tell right away how and where you are suffering, PTSD is an unseen mental condition. For this reason, it is imperative when you are applying for disability benefits to make sure that you are seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist regularly and that they are writing down all of your complaints and issues. Having your doctor fill out a Mental Impairment Evaluation can be especially helpful when applying for disability benefits with PTSD. If your doctor refuses to fill one out, which is fairly common, make sure that your family members or anyone that you are close with provides the Social Security Administration with detailed information about how PTSD limits your daily functioning.

If you suffer from PTSD and it is preventing you from working for at least 12 months, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI). When you apply for disability benefits with PTSD, the Social Security Administration will first determine whether your condition is severe enough to meet a listing. If you meet a listing you will be found disabled. If you do not meet a listing, the Social Security Administration will then evaluate your residual functional capacity (the most work that you can do despite your medical condition(s)) and determine whether you are entitled to disability benefits.

Is There A Specific Listing For PTSD?

The Social Security Administration recognizes PTSD under Listing of Impairments 12.06: Anxiety-related disorders, which can be found on the Social Security Administration website. However, because most of the listing is structured using medical terminology, it can be quite difficult to know whether you will meet the listing for PTSD. If you or a family member suffers from PTSD and are unable to work and want to know more about whether you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits, contact Pearson Disabilty Law LLC.

If I Do Not Meet The Listing, Is There Another Way To Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

Yes! If you do not meet Listing 12.06 and PTSD is preventing you from working, you may still qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration will proceed with your case by evaluating your Residual Functional Capacity. To do this, the Administration will determine the most amount of work that you can do despite your limitations. The only way Social Security will understand how debilitating your symptoms can be, is if you are regularly seeing your psychologist and/or psychiatrist and talking with them about how you feel. Your doctors must document severity of your symptoms in their records whenever you visit. Call 312-999-0999 to schedule a free consultation.