Veteran Suffering from PTSD Receives Disability Benefits
Max, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues, is now receiving Social Security Disability benefits.
In fact, an attorney advisor approved his benefits before the scheduled hearing could even be take place. Attorney Neil H. Good helped Max, age 50 and a veteran at the time of the scheduled hearing, deal with the oftentimes complex and frequently confusing process of applying for disability benefits, including obtaining and organizing all medical and other records and presenting the case for benefits clearly.
The advisor determined that Max has the following severe impairments: depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and paranoid-delusional disorder. “The severity of the claimant’s impairments meets the criteria set forward by the Social Security Administration,” the advisor said.
Max’s impairments cause moderate restriction in activities of daily living, marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning, marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence or pace, and one to two episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration, the advisor added in his decision.
The attorney advisor quoted from the treating Veterans Administration psychiatrist, who reported that Max shows “symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder,” and that his experiences in the military “have clearly worsened his symptoms including intense suspiciousness, irritability, flashbacks and episodes of anger.” The doctor’s opinion is that these symptoms are “persistent, recurrent, and severe and render him unable to maintain consistent employment.”
A treating psychologist diagnosed a delusional disorder and a chronic post-traumatic stress disorder with depressive features. His Global assessment of Functioning (GAF) is 35, “which denotes an inability to function in almost all occupational and social areas.” The VA determined Max was “unable to get or complete employment as a result of service-connected disabilities.”
Max had sought treatment but had shown no improvement. The advisor noted that the record shows his mental impairments cause a substantial loss of ability to respond appropriately to supervision, co-workers, and usual work situations. The advisor found he cannot perform any past relevant work or any other work existing in significant numbers in the economy.
Besides his own monthly benefits, Max’s child is entitled to child’s benefits. These monthly benefits were secured with the help of Attorney Good.
