Disability For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

An individual suffers PTSD typically following a highly traumatic episode that may be either physical or psychological.  It is frequently suffered by servicemen and servicewomen, as well as by child abuse and sexual assault victims.  It is also sometimes experienced by individuals who have lived through earthquakes, hurricanes and other catastrophic

Understanding Disability and PTSD

Disability for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is contingent on the evaluations of disability examiners and administrative judges.  Decisions for either approval or denial of filed claims are determined in one of two ways.  The first method relies heavily on the claimant’s medical records and documentation to assess if his condition satisfies the requirements of the list of impairments outlined by the U.S. Department of Social Security.  The second method, which is how the majority of disability claims are decided, is the medical vocational allowance.

In the medical vocational allowance method, it has already been assessed that the individual will not be eligible for benefits on the sole basis of meeting the requirements of Social Security’s list of impairments; however, the claimant’s condition is nevertheless considered severe if it is enough to:

• make a return to his past work impossible, and
• prohibit him from pursuing another line of employment.

The medical vocational allowance takes both the filer’s medical records and work history into consideration to conclude that he cannot assume gainful employment and thereby earn income.  This inability to work would be the primary basis for an individual’s request for support since no alternative means of income would be available to him in his medical state. 

PTSD claimants are evaluated in accordance with Social Security’s anxiety disorder listing, which is classified into three sets of criteria:

• Criteria A: the claimant must suffer one of five conditions: recollections of a traumatic experience; obsessions of a recurring nature; fear of either a situation or an activity; panic attacks; or persistent anxiety.
• Criteria B: the claimant is restricted in his daily activities, has difficulty functioning socially, cannot maintain concentration and/or has periods of decompensation.
• Criteria C: the claimant must satisfy the conditions of Criteria A and be unable to function independently outside of the home.

Getting Help

Filers for PTSD benefits must satisfy Criteria A and either Criteria B or C. If PTSD prevents an individual from working because of the day-to-day challenges that he faces, then understanding the criteria required for a claim can make the difference in whether his request is accepted or denied. It can be helpful to have an experienced disability attorney help you understand these methods of qualifying and assist you in making your application in order to maximize the chances for approval.