Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that is often incapacitating with symptoms that include unrelenting terrifying thoughts and memories of an event that they either witnessed or experienced that was traumatic. PTSD is often associated with returning by war veterans, but it can result from any number of traumatic incidents. Along with PTSD there are nightmares and disturbing recollections during the day, sleep problems, depression, feeling detached or numb, or being easily startled, loss of interest, lack of affection, irritable, more aggressive, and becoming violent.
If you suffer from PTSD, you may qualify for Social Security disability but to ensure your Los Angeles claim is successful the diagnosis must be properly medically documented. The Social Security Administration will want to review your medical records, including hospital records and clinic notes from physicians, therapists, and counselors. It will need to be proven that there are work-related limitations caused by your PTSD. You must have medically documented evidence of one of the following:
- severe distress from recurrent, intrusive memories of a trauma
- general anxiety that persists
- irrational fears
- frequent panic attacks
- persistent obsessions and compulsions
You must also prove that there is a marked limitation in daily living, social functioning, or concentration, persistence, or pace or that your symptoms leave you completely unable to function independently outside your home. Unfortunately, most Social Security Disability (SSDI/SSD) and SSI claims are denied at the initial claim and reconsideration levels so most claims will need to go in front of an administrative law judge.
At this point, having a Los Angeles disability lawyer present can really help you win your claim. There are no guarantees but history has proven more cases win at this level when a lawyer is there. This is because a Social Security lawyer can guarantee that a case will be properly “developed” prior to a hearing date. It is that development that will get your claim won.