Long-term disability can be a difficult journey, from an illness that keeps you from working to the extensive medical appointments and paperwork involved before you start receiving benefit payments. But if that disability is PTSD, it can be even more difficult.
What is PTSD?
PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a condition seen in individuals who have witnessed or lived through a traumatic event. It’s a type of anxiety disorder that’s triggered by a traumatic event.
While PTSD is commonly associated with combat veterans who have spent time in war zones, PTSD can also occur in civilians. Natural disasters (like last year’s Hurricane Harvey), becoming a crime victim, receiving a diagnosis for a serious medical condition, car crashes, domestic violence, and other unexpected traumas can give someone this disorder.
Post-traumatic stress is commonly grouped into three types:
- Intrusive memories—i.e., “flashbacks,” re-living the event or having recurrent nightmares
- Avoidance/numbing—or avoiding thinking about it, as well as hopelessness, memory and concentration problems, difficulty with close relationships and no longer enjoying previous activities
- Hyperarousal (or increased anxiety or emotional arousal), increased irritability or anger, shame or guilt, insomnia, self-destructive behavior (alcoholism, drug use, etc.) and being easily startled.
PTSD can cause problems in your job, your relationships, your marriage, as well as everyday activities. It also put you at risk for additional mental conditions, such as depression, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and other anxieties. The side effects of PTSD have also been shown to be linked to physical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, and chronic pain.
Treatments for PTSD can include various forms of psychotherapy, and psychiatric medications, short-term or long-term.
Policy Limits On Mental Illness
Because it isn’t something that can be detected with an X-ray or a blood test, insurance companies have additional restrictions on claims for mental conditions. The first step is to review your LTD policy, find out what they do cover, and see if there is a specific exclusion for PTSD or other mental illnesses.
Many LTD policies put a two-year limit on claims for mental illnesses, so it’s important to know what you need and what you can get before you start your application.
Review your policy to find out exactly what requirements you need to meet to file your claim. If your PTSD is the result of another medical condition, such as injuries after an accident or a disease diagnosis, you may be able to qualify. In order to do that, you’ll need to collect enough evidence to prove that your physical condition that caused PTSD could render you disabled on its own. This is where an attorney can guide you through the process and increase your chances of proving your claim and having it accepted.
Your Houston LTD Disability Attorney
PTSD is a particularly difficult illness, but applying for LTD can make things even worse. We can help you through the long process of getting long-term disability benefits.
Over 4,000 Houstonians have received the LTD benefits they need, and we can help you too. The Herren Law Firm can help you with your application, appeals and help you through the process so you can begin healing. Contact us today at 713-682-8194 to schedule your free consultation. There’s no obligation and no up-front fees. We only collect if we win your case.
