The men and women that serve in the United States military often have very difficult jobs. Not only are many of the jobs labor intensive, they can be mentally taxing. When these soldiers are expected to perform their jobs in a war zone, their stress can increase. The emotionally difficult situations that many people see in war can create additional problems for soldiers returning from active duty. As a result, many servicemen and women are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
PTSD can make it difficult for people to function. People with PTSD may not be able to return to a normal life or hold down a job. Therefore, many veterans with PTSD apply for Social Security disability benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, Vietnam veterans represent the largest number of people who apply for benefits because of PTSD. Overall, PTSD is the highest diagnoses for veterans who apply for SSDI benefits. Data suggests that around one-third of veterans’ applications are for people with PTSD.
The SSA also claims that many veterans that appear to have PTSD actually qualify for SSDI benefits under the definition of other anxiety-related disorders. These disorders have a higher allowance rates for benefits among veterans than many other disorders.
PTSD is not limited to just veterans, and neither are anxiety-related disorders. People, from any employment background, that are suffering from an anxiety disorder, affective disorder or from PTSD should seek legal help. These individuals may qualify for SSDI benefits if they are unable to work because of their disorder. With SSDI benefits, people can ensure that they have the financial resources they need to support themselves.
