PTSD Disability Benefits
When disability strikes, it can feel like the whole world is crashing down. If you find yourself disabled, sick or injured, you are not alone. You have legal representation that can make a major change in your life. You have professionals in disability law that you can trust. At Khattar Law, PC, our attorneys are prepared to help you in your time of need.
Our San Antonio Social Security disability lawyers recognize that all disabilities are different. Some are more severe and lasting than others. One type of severe disabling condition is that of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition that stems from a traumatic incident or event. A person with PTSD who remembers or is reminded by the traumatic event by a trigger may experience severe symptoms such as intense fear and stress to the extent that it affects his or her ability to function normally. It may last for extended periods of times and even sometimes for a lifetime
In general, PTSD is a mental disorder that affects many people across the country. It can affect people of all ages and races. For many people, PTSD will last for years. Children and adults can both suffer from PTSD. Treatments may include medication or psychotherapy or both.
Is PTSD A Disability?
PTSD usually starts after a traumatic experience. Many of these experiences carry a deep emotional burden. Of course, not all negative experiences are as devastating. Some people are fortunate and may avoid any and all lingering effects.
People with PTSD, however, will experience strong, continuous symptoms, that may affect their ability to engage in normal daily routines, which leads to the question: Is PTSD Considered A Disability?
In some cases, PTSD can be considered a disability. After all, it can prevent people from carrying out many normal, daily, and healthy functions. Some people with PTSD cannot even leave their homes due to having crippling fear or another form of anxiety.
The causes of PTSD vary. The disorder can stem from a car accident, work accident, a natural disaster or some other traumatic experience . Some people with PTSD are the victims of violence or sexual abuse. Victims of rape and abuse may develop PTSD that lasts for years.
Assault and battery crimes can also lead to PTSD
One of the main and most commonly demonstrated causes of PTSD is experiencing war or other armed conflict. Many veterans who return from battle struggle with PTSD. For many of these former soldiers, the memories of death and destruction can become overwhelming.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) can provide substantial assistance. The SSA is a federal government agency that provides benefits to all kinds of recipients. One of the SSA’s main programs is to allocate benefits, such as financial assistance for persons with disabilities. If approved, disabled applicants with PTSD can receive social security payments on a monthly basis.
PTSD Disability Benefits
If you want to receive disability benefits for PTSD, you must first prove that your condition is serious. In the U.S., about seven percent of people will end up suffering from PTSD. Nearly 5 percent of adolescents will have the symptoms of PTSD in their lives.
- Many people wonder about the length of PTSD.
- Does it last for a lifetime?
- Is PTSD A Permanent Disability?
The symptoms of PTSD may not arise automatically. Often PTSD symptoms start to show about 3 months after an event. These last at least a month. In some cases, the symptoms do not start until years after the trauma.
Many people with PTSD require medication. They may rely on therapy or the use medication such as antidepressants, marijuana and hash oil or turn to drugs such as opioids. They may also try more alternative kinds of treatment such as exercise and meditation as forms of therapy.
These treatments, however, do not always work. If you have PTSD, you may still be in trouble, struggling with your disabling condition. You may have issues working a steady job. You may have difficulty even leaving your home. If you are disabled and unable to work due to PTSD, the SSA can provide the financial help you need.
PTSD Benefits can make a big difference
In order to get disability benefits for PTSD, you must show that your condition is a total disability. It cannot be short-term or partial. It must have lasted, or be expected to last, for at least 12 months. If not, it must be expected to lead to death.
A total disability must also prevent the person from working. If a person can perform “substantial gainful activity” (SGA), then that person is not disabled. SGA refers to a threshold monthly amount of income. If you make above that amount, you will not qualify for benefits.
It is important to consider all aspects of your PTSD. Again, if you have PTSD, you need to prove it is severe and lasting. You need to show the SSA that it prevents you from most work. Many applicants with PTSD qualify by meeting a listing. The SSA has a “Blue Book” that lists disabilities that applicants can then “match.”
In the SSA’s book, PTSD is considered an anxiety disorder under section 12.15. These are called “Trauma- and stressor-related disorders.”
How To Get Disability For PTSD?
If you want to get disability benefits for PTSD, you need to meet a very particular set of criteria and provide sufficient and reliable medical evidence. You will also need to provide relevant employment information, indicating your struggles with having the capacity to work.
Your medical forms must show at least one of the following:
- You recall a traumatic experience;
- You have repeating obsessions or compulsions; You have an irrational fear that causes a compulsion to avoid the source of that fear; You have severe panic attacks, at least once a week; and/or
- You have generalized persistent anxiety with various physical responses.
You must also have two of the following to get PTSD Disability Compensation:
- Problems with normal daily activities;
- Trouble with social functioning; Trouble concentrating and persisting; Worsening psychiatric symptoms; and/or
- No ability to function on your own outside your home.
In order to obtain information and documentation about these conditions, you must consult with various experts. This can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. Fortunately, our attorneys can help. We have strong relationships with many medical and vocational professionals.
So do not delay, and do not risk missing out on the disability benefits you need. Whether you’re thinking about SSI for PTSD or want to appeal a denial, we advise you to reach out to our law firm. If PTSD is affecting your life, contact our lawyers at Khattar Law, LLC today.