what kind of attorney do i need for ptsd social security

by Keaton Howell 6 min read

If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation. by John L. Keefe

Full Answer

How can I get Social Security disability for 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.

Do you need a social security lawyer?

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength because you are being honest and doing what is necessary to take care of yourself. If you have questions about your situation, do not hesitate to reach out. Our lawyers are available by email or by phone: 1-855-NICOLET.

How does the administrative law judge decide if I have PTSD?

The Social Security Disability attorneys of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can help you effectively pursue the compensation you need. To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Charlotte PTSD attorneys, call 704-594-4317 or contact us online. We accept cases on a contingent fee basis. We only collect attorney fees if we obtain benefits for you.

What do I need to file a PTSD claim?

PTSD is a mental disorder that can develop after a person of any age directly experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as exposure to war, threatened or actual physical assault, threatened or actual sexual violence, a violent crime or serious accident, or a natural disaster.

image

How do you prove disability for PTSD?

PTSD can be considered a disability by the SSA if the criteria for Listings 12.15 or 112.15 Trauma- and stressor-related disorders are met by the applicant. If your symptoms of PTSD are so severe that you are unable to work, the SSA will consider you disabled and you will be able to get disability with PTSD.

Is it hard to get SSDI for PTSD?

What Are the Other Eligibility Requirements For SSDI Benefits? Proving that your PTSD is severe enough to be considered a disability is only half of the battle. You will also need to meet the SSA's work credit requirement. You earn work credits by working and earning income.Jun 15, 2020

How much does SSI pay for PTSD?

People with PTSD victimized during childhood might receive SSI and the typical $794 monthly amount. PTSD recipients of SSDI might receive more or less than the average $1,258 monthly check if the trauma occurred later or earlier in their adult life.May 24, 2021

Is PTSD a permanent disability?

A PTSD disability rating may become permanent and total if VA determines that it meets the 100 percent criteria set forth by the rating schedule and there is zero chance of improvement.Feb 8, 2020

What qualifies as PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

What are the 5 stages of PTSD?

What are the five stages of PTSD?Impact or Emergency Stage. ... Denial/ Numbing Stage. ... Rescue Stage (including Intrusive or Repetitive stage) ... Short-term Recovery or Intermediate Stage. ... Long-term reconstruction or recovery stage.

Can a person with PTSD get disability?

You may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits for PTSD if you satisfy several criteria specified in the SSA's 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.Aug 20, 2021

Is PTSD a mental illness or disorder?

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury.

Can you get 100 percent disability for PTSD?

PTSD disability ratings can be 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%. Transparency about your worst symptoms is vital for your rating. VA often rates veterans by the average of their symptoms.

How do you get permanent and total disability for PTSD?

How Do You Get Permanent And Total Disability for PTSD?A present and current diagnosis of PTSD.An in-service stressor.A medical nexus connecting the PTSD to the in-service stressor.Mar 17, 2021

How do you get medically retired for PTSD?

If you receive a rating of at least 30%, then you are medically retired. This means that you essentially receive 30% (or more) of your base pay, plus the benefits of a retiree. Retiree benefits include free health care at a military hospital, on a space-available basis.Nov 27, 2012

PTSD Symptoms and Treatment

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), is an anxiety disorder that usually occurs after a person has been i...

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 ne...

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 recor...

Non-Medical Factors

In addition to the need for compelling medical and counseling evidence, disability judges consider a variety of non-medical factors:

Remember the Big Picture: What Matters to Social Security

You will win Social Security disability benefits for your PTSD claim if we can prove that because of your symptoms:

A Valid Claim Often Requires More Than Just A Legitimate Diagnosis

The challenge to securing SSDI benefits for PTSD is presenting a strong claim to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA is very particular about what constitutes a valid claim. Simply having a legitimate diagnosis does not ensure that the SSA will find your claim valid.

Let Us Help You Secure The Social Security Disability Benefits You Deserve

At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, we offer our clients the experienced guidance that can help them effectively navigate the channels of the SSDI benefits application process. Our extensive experience helps produce real results for our clients. Attorney Robert A.

Contact The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Lawyers Of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler

If you are unable to work because of PTSD, trust your case to an attorney with a record of success. The Social Security Disability attorneys of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can help you effectively pursue the compensation you need. To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Charlotte PTSD attorneys, call 704-594-4317 or contact us online.

What is PTSD in veterans?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that can suddenly increase anxiety, fear, paranoia, and aggression in those who suffer from it. Although commonly associated with combat trauma in veterans, PTSD can affect anyone as a result of a traumatic experience.

What is a medical source statement?

The letter (or questionnaire) is a medical source statement that addresses key attributes of your condition - your diagnosis and especially the extent of your resulting limitations - as well as your ability to function. It also includes the professional opinion of the writer, backed by medical science, on the existence and degree ...

Can PTSD be considered a disability?

Considering the effects, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes extreme cases of PTSD as eligible for disability benefits.

What is PTSD in medical terms?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that can develop in someone who has experienced or witnessed a life-threatening event such as war combat, a car accident, sexual assault, or a natural disaster.

What is PRW in SSA?

If the SSA decides you can perform any of your past relevant work (PRW), you will be found not disabled. To be PRW, the work must have been substantial gainful activity (SGA); performed in the fifteen (15) year relevant period; and performed long enough to learn the job. If the SSA decides you cannot perform your past relevant work, or you have not worked in the past fifteen (15) years, the SSA goes on to Step 5.

How long does a disability last?

For the SSA to consider you disabled, you must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or a combination of impairments) that is severe and has lasted or is expected last one (1) year or end in death. If your medical condition is not that severe, you will not be found to meet the requirements for Social Security disability ...

How long does it take for PTSD to go away?

While it’s normal to feel distressed after such an event, this feeling of distress should normally disappear after a few months. But for a person who has PTSD, the symptoms last longer, may start later, or may come and go over a long time. PTSD symptoms have four types.

What are the basic activities of the SSA?

The SSA aims to be sure that your medical condition significantly limits your ability to do basic work activities such as sitting; standing; walking; lifting; carrying; understanding, remembering, and carrying out simple instructions ; making simple work-related decisions; responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers, and work stress; and dealing with changes in a routine work setting.

What happens if you can't do your past work?

If you cannot do your past relevant work, the SSA looks to see if you would be able to do other work. They evaluate your medical condition, your age,education, past work experience, and any skills you may have that could be used to do other work. If you can do other work, the SSA will determine you are not disabled.

What is the strongest opinion?

The strongest opinions are opinions that are offered by doctors who specialize in the condition that is keeping you from working and which are supported by objective medical evidence. For PTSD, some types of objective medical evidence that can support your claim are: Medical documentation of ALL of these:

What are the requirements for PTSD?

To satisfy the requirements for PTSD, an applicant must present medical documentation of all the following: Exposure to 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.

What are the symptoms of 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: 1 Distressing memories 2 Dreams and flashbacks related to the trauma or stressor 3 Avoidant behavior 4 Diminished interest or participation in significant activities 5 Persistent negative emotional states 6 Persistent inability to experience positive emotions 7 Anxiety or irritability 8 Aggression or exaggerated startle response 9 Difficulty concentrating 10 Sleep disturbance

What is the Blue Book of SSA?

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.

Does the SSA require medical evidence?

To establish that you have a mental impairment, the SSA will require medical evidence from an acceptable medical source. To satisfy the requirements for PTSD, an applicant must present medical documentation of all the following:

Can you get disability for PTSD?

There is no short answer for how to get disability for PTSD. There are many things that will factor into determining your eligibility. Furthermore, the SSA will often deny your claim if you are not able to prove the severity of your symptoms and if your medical evidence is insufficient.

Can you get Social Security if you have PTSD?

If your PTSD is severe enough that prevents you from working, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits.

What Do I Need to Qualify for Veterans Benefits?

Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits for those whose past military service lead to their PTSD diagnosis. Here are the requirements to qualify:

Veterans Compensation Benefits Lawyer in Alabama

If you are a veteran who lives with the symptoms of PTSD or another disorder related to your military service, you may be entitled to veteran’s benefits. Our veterans compensation benefits lawyer in Alabama can help you navigate the application process. There are no legal fees unless you win. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

image

Non-Medical Factors

  • In addition to the need for compelling medical and counseling evidence, disability judges consider a variety of non-medical factors: 1. Age– your chances greatly improve if you are age 50 or older. Because PTSD is an “invisible” disorder that usually lasts a lifetime, Social Security administrative law judges are under a lot of pressure not approve...
See more on glolaw.com

Remember The Big Picture: What Matters to Social Security

  • You will win Social Security disability benefits for your PTSD claim if we can prove that because of your symptoms: –inappropriate behavior at work –unstable emotional condition –extreme difficulty with concentration and focus –poor reliability you would not be a reliable employee at even a simple, one or two step job where you worked by yourself All that matters is what the me…
See more on glolaw.com

What Does Not Matter to Social Security

  1. it does not matter that you have no transportation to a job
  2. it does not matter that you could not survive financially with an entry level job
  3. it does not matter that you believe no one would hire you
  4. I am finding that judges are less inclined to approve claims when the only treatment is at the VA. Further, Social Security will not honor a 100% service connected disability rating from th…
  1. it does not matter that you have no transportation to a job
  2. it does not matter that you could not survive financially with an entry level job
  3. it does not matter that you believe no one would hire you
  4. I am finding that judges are less inclined to approve claims when the only treatment is at the VA. Further, Social Security will not honor a 100% service connected disability rating from the VA – i...

Additional Reading