PTSD and Disability

PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is a common disability in both SSDI (SSD), SSI and VA compensation cases. I will discuss what the symptoms are and were you can find more information about the disability benefits you are trying to get. So what are the symptoms of PTSD? There are generally four categories of symptoms. The first of these is the reliving of the event. This can come in the form of nightmares, or flashbacks that occur while you are awake. For some there may be triggers that cause these flashbacks to occur. It is common in veterans to be triggered by sounds that resemble gunfire, or seeing or hearing about war or other traumatic event from the news or other sources. Another symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder is called avoidance. This is the act of avoiding situations which might cause memories of the traumatic event. Another symptom many with this condition experience is an overall feeling of numbness. This may cause the individual to no longer be interested in previous hobbies, have difficulty in relationships, or an inability to talk about or even remember the traumatic event. Those with PTSD also may be hyper-vigilant. This causes many veterans or non-veterans to be irritable or become angry quickly. It may also interfere with their ability to sleep and concentrate. Then they also tend to be always on guard and startled quite easily. It is also very common for those experiencing these symptoms to self medicate with drugs or alcohol. The symptoms can also cause violence, physical pain symptoms, difficulty keeping employment, troubled relationships and feelings of despair and hopelessness which can even lead to suicide. Post traumatic stress disorder is commonly thought of as a condition of veterans but those who never served can also be diagnosed and suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can be the basis or part of a Social Security Disability or VA compensation disability case. I have recently made a new page to address this medical condition as it relates to each of these disability programs. If you are looking for information on PTSD and VA compensation visit my page linked on the subject. If you have a claim for PTSD and Social Security Disability or SSI visit my page on that subject. Many veterans may have both of these claims. If you would like to speak to a lawyer who knows about PTSD claims for both VA compensation and Social Security Disability give me a call at 1-877-527-5529 and I would be happy to answer any questions you have.