Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very real and debilitating disorder. I have represented veterans from the Vietnam War, Middle East Wars, and victims of traumatic events such deaths and criminal acts. All the conditions of PTSD make it impossible to be gainfully employed.
It is a disorder that is not generally seen by others, unless they live with you, or are around you quite often. It is for this reason that your testimony and medical records are so very important, explaining to the judge your episodes of PTSD can be very difficult, but it is necessary to establish your disability claim. Below you will find the technical listing that Social Security establishes PTSD under:
The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in both A and C are satisfied:
A. Medically documented findings of at least one of the following:
1. Generalized persistent anxiety accompanied by three out of four of the following signs or symptoms:
a. Motor tension; or
b. Autonomic hyperactivity;
c. Apprehensive expectations; or
d. Vigilance and scanning; or
2. A persistent irrational fear of specific object, activity, or situation which results in a compelling desire to avoid the dreaded object, activity, or situation; or
3. Recurrent sever panic attacks manifested by sudden unpredictable onset of intense apprehension, fear, terror, and sense of impending doom occurring on the average of at least once a week; or
4. Recurrent obsessions or compulsions which are source of marked distress; or
5. Recurrent and intrusive recollections of a traumatic experience, which are a source of marked distress; and
B. Resulting in at least two of the following:
1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or
2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or
3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace or
4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration; or
C. Resulting in complete inability to function independently outside the area of one’s home.
Should you need assistance with your PTSD claim, please free to phone the law office. You may reach me daily Monday through Friday at toll free (877) 271-2633 or local at (615) 308-2633 . I look forward to hearing from you.
Daniel L. McMurtry, Esq.