Filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits when you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be challenging. The importance of medical documentation in supporting your claim simply cannot be overstated. Therefore, you will want to work with your attorney to make sure that all documentation is in order, including summary notes from doctors, counselors, and other health care providers. It is also important to include clinical notes from your therapists and psychiatrists.
Your claim will depend very strongly on your ability to prove that your PTSD impacts your ability to work for a living. Therefore, you must also complete a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form, which is available from your doctor or disability lawyer.
This form must be filled out, and must clearly indicate how your condition prevents you from working. The documentation in your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) document must clearly define your inability to maintain a consistent routine without help or supervision, and the difficulties you face concentrating on tasks.
Any memory issues related to your PTSD must also be documented. If you have missed work for two or more days consecutively over the previous month, this fact should be added to your form. This will help establish your inability to keep from missing work frequently.
PTSD can affect a person’s ability to make decisions, concentrate, control emotions, and may lead to frequent panic attacks and delusions. All of these are incompatible with the kind of functionality needed in the workforce. Your RFC must clearly establish your inability to return to work and earn a sustainable income as a result of these symptoms.