To file a PTSD claim, submit a stress letter and undergo a psychological exam. Military records and an application for benefits are required for service-related disabilities. Medical records and a doctor’s statement are also necessary. Social Security disability benefits require information on treatment efforts and symptoms lasting two years or more.
Filing a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claim consists of two parts: writing a letter outlining your symptoms and undergoing a psychological exam. The stress statement and professional exam allow officers to assess how PTSD is disrupting daily life. A PTSD claim requires a copy of your military records, along with an application for benefits, if the disability is service-related.
The stress letter could be submitted before or in conjunction with a PTSD claim. He should clearly explain the traumatic events witnessed in the military that led to the current coping difficulties. This statement typically details the applicant’s duties in the service and where he served. Combat records, including medals or badges earned, help document stressful events. A person held as a prisoner of war may be exempt from proving that a situation has led to stress.
When writing your stress letter, each event should include the names of other people involved, how long the situation lasted, and what exactly happened. This information helps officials decide if the request is justified. The applicant can explain how the trauma affects daily life, listing symptoms that interfere with career, family relationships or social interactions.
Medical records are another part of the PTSD claim. A doctor’s statement documents your stress symptoms and any treatment you’ve received. The report must show that the applicant has sought treatment but continues to suffer from mental difficulties.
After receiving the grievance and statement of stress, the grievance office schedules a psychological or psychiatric exam to assess the applicant’s level of functioning. The mental health expert compiles a score indicating the extent of the disability. If the claimant falls within a certain range, it means that he cannot work and is entitled to full compensation. Evaluation results typically go to a regional office for review and decision, a process that could take six months.
The process for filing a PTSD claim for Social Security benefits mirrors the requirements of the military. It consists of three parts detailing the traumatic event, physical symptoms, and medical proof of disability. Medical records might document panic attacks related to memories of a disturbing event. A doctor could confirm physical signs of the applicant’s inability to function.
When someone files a PTSD claim for Social Security disability benefits, the claimant usually must have symptoms that have persisted for two years or more. The agency also wants information on treatment efforts to address the mental disorder. Medical records can support the request and speed up the process.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
