If you were denied disability benefits with PTSD, then you can appeal. There are four stages to the appeal process, and your claim could be approved at any of these four stages. The first stage is to request reconsideration which has to be filed within 60 days of receiving a denial of your initial application. If the reconsideration stage results in a denial, you may request an ALJ hearing which can be filed within 60 days from receiving the reconsideration decision.
If this is not successful, you can request an Appeals Council to review the ALJ’s decision. You have 60 days from the ALJ decision to do this. If you are still unsuccessful, you can file a civil action in the United States District Court. You must file your case within 60 days of notice of the Appeals Council’s decision.
Filing an Appeal For Disability Benefits With PTSD
The SSA denies many disability claims filed by victims of PTSD, mainly because the claimants don’t provide sufficient evidence proving the condition is so severe that the victims are unable to work for at least 12 months. If you believe you can find more evidence proving your PTSD will stop you from working you should begin the appeal process by filing a request for reconsideration within 60 days of receiving your denial letter.
If this stage results in a denial, you may request an ALJ hearing which should be filed within 60 days from receiving the reconsideration decision. If this is still unsuccessful you may be able to request an Appeals Council review of the ALJ’s decision you have 60 days. If you are still unsuccessful, you can file a civil action in the US District Court. This must be filed within 60 days of notice of the Appeals Council’s decision.
How to File a Successful Appeal For Disability Benefits With PTSD
File the appeal as quickly as possible after you received the denial letter. Make sure you get more medical evidence to support your appeal and you should ensure you continue with treatment plans prescribed to you by your physician. The SSA may ask a physical therapist to conduct a Mental Residual Functional Capacity evaluation (MRFC) that will helps to prove your PTSD is so disabling that you are unable to undertake work for at least 12 months. The MRFC evaluation takes around four hours to complete and the physical therapist will ask you to participate in some simple tasks such as standing, sitting, bending, lifting heavy items, using small tools like pens. If the physical therapist decides that you are unable to perform basic tasks due to your PTSD then you should qualify for disability benefits.
Why Was My PTSD Claim Denied?
The most common reason for being denied disability benefits due to your PTSD diagnosis is that you haven’t provided sufficient evidence proving that your PTSD is severe enough that it prevents you from working for at least 12 months.
Get Help With Your Appeal
It is never that easy to win an appeal for disability benefits if you suffer from PTSD because you need to provide sufficient medical evidence that proves you cannot work for at least 12 months. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation to work with an independent attorney who subscribes to the website and may be able to help with your case.
