Qualifying for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Social Security benefits can be difficult due to hard to measure mental and psychological symptoms. At the office of Hickman Menashe, P.S., we have more than 45 years of combined legal experience. We take a holistic approach when working with people seeking Social Security disability benefits. We will take the time to learn all the details of your situation, so that we can identify all potential legal issues, as well as your options. As a small firm, we can offer you direct access with one of our attorneys throughout the legal process. We return all calls and e-mails on a timely basis, often within 24 hours.
Physical Disorders That Qualify You for Social Security Disability
When you can't work because of an illness or injury, one of the first things you need to know is whether or not your physical condition makes you eligible for SSDI benefits. Under the law, you can seek compensation for the following types of physical maladies:
- Neck, back, shoulder, elbow, knee, hand or foot injuries (such as arthritis), herniated or bulging discs, scoliosis and spinal stenosis
- Amputation, dismemberment or loss of limb
- Cancer, including leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, lung or liver cancer or degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis
- Stroke or heart attack/heart disease
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury or head trauma
- Gastrointestinal conditions such as colitis or Crohn's disease
- Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain disorders
- Contagious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
Even if you have a condition that is not listed, or if you have several diagnosed conditions that, in combination, render you unable to work, you may be eligible for benefits under one or both of these programs.
Mental and Psychological Disorders for Which You May Be Able to Receive SSDI or SSI Benefits
In addition to physical injury or illness, you can also seek Social Security disability benefits for mental and psychological conditions. Among the approved disorders are:
- PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting from exposure to violence, including during active service in war and domestic abuse. This allows recovery for battered wife syndrome.
- Learning disabilities such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression/manic depressive disorder
- Autism and Asperger's syndrome
- Schizophrenia and related conditions
- Personality disorders such as borderline personality
There are many other conditions, too, that can lead to an approval of benefits including developmental delays and traumatic brain injury. A mental condition that is not disabling taken alone may be found to be disabling when considered in combination with additional physical disorders. It is important to let Social Security know about all your medical and psychiatric conditions that cause symptoms, even if each condition is not disabling when considered in isolation.
Contact Disability Benefits Lawyers at Hickman Menashe, P.S.
To schedule an appointment with a Lynnwood area attorney for your SSDI or SSI matter, contact us contact us online or call our office at 425-744-5658. For client convenience we have a second office in Bellevue. We offer flexible appointment times to meet your needs. We will set up home or hospital visits, if necessary. Our office is accessible to persons with disabilities.
We generally handle all Social Security disability claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only charge attorney fees if we help you win your case.
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