About this condition
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is among the most well-defined mental-health Listings in the SSA Blue Book, with specific diagnostic criteria adapted from DSM-5. Listing 12.15 requires medical documentation of (1) exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence; (2) subsequent involuntary re-experiencing of the traumatic event; (3) avoidance of reminders; (4) disturbance in mood and behavior; (5) increases in arousal and reactivity — all combined with marked or extreme limitation across the B-criteria areas.
The case categories that come up most often: military veterans with combat or operational trauma; first responders (police, fire, EMS); sexual assault survivors; survivors of severe motor vehicle accidents or industrial trauma. Veteran cases often have substantial VA documentation supporting the underlying diagnosis, but VA ratings use different criteria than SSDI — the two systems run in parallel rather than translating directly.
What the SSA Listing requires (Listing 12.15)
What wins this case at hearing in Colorado
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Trauma documentation
Records establishing the qualifying traumatic event — military service records (DD-214, deployment records), police reports, medical records from the trauma, ER/hospital admission records.
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Psychiatric/psychological treatment records
Records from a treating psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker documenting PTSD diagnosis, treatment course, and functional impact. PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist) scores tracked over time strengthen the case.
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Therapy modality documentation
Records of evidence-based PTSD treatments attempted (CPT, PE, EMDR), with response/non-response noted. Treatment-resistant PTSD is well-documented in the case law.
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VA records (for veterans)
C&P exam findings, VA disability rating decisions, and ongoing VA mental-health treatment records. Submit complete VA records as part of the SSDI claim.
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Mental Residual Functional Capacity statement
Treating provider’s MRFC statement quantifying work limits — attendance reliability, ability to interact with the public, response to supervision and criticism, sustained concentration.
Colorado-specific factors
Colorado has a significant veteran population (Fort Carson, Air Force Academy, Buckley Space Force Base, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, plus VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System). PTSD-related SSDI cases for veterans are common. The VA in Colorado maintains specialized PTSD treatment programs — leverage that documentation. ALJs at the Denver and Colorado Springs hearing offices see veteran PTSD cases frequently and tend to credit comprehensive VA documentation.
What disqualifies a claim (honestly)
PTSD cases requiring careful evaluation: PTSD diagnosis without specialized mental-health treatment; PTSD claims based primarily on civilian trauma without ongoing treatment records; veterans with VA PTSD ratings under 50% and continued ability to work modified duty. Viner Disability Law’s practice focuses primarily on physical and multi-system conditions. Pure PTSD-primary cases may be better served by specialized mental-health SSDI representation.
Frequently asked questions about SSDI for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Colorado
Will my VA PTSD rating automatically qualify me for SSDI?
No. VA and SSA use different disability standards. A VA PTSD rating supports the SSDI claim as evidence but doesn’t automatically result in SSDI approval. SSA requires that the PTSD prevent any substantial gainful activity, not just service-connected work limits.
Does Viner Disability Law take PTSD cases?
We evaluate them, particularly veteran cases where VA documentation is strong. For pure PTSD-primary cases without significant physical co-morbidities, we may refer to specialized mental-health SSDI representation that handles a higher volume of these specific cases.
What if my PTSD is combined with physical injuries?
Combined-effect cases — PTSD plus chronic pain, TBI, or other physical conditions — are common, particularly among veterans and accident victims. We take these cases more often than pure PTSD claims because the physical component aligns with our practice focus and the combined-effect analysis often produces strong claims.
How long does a PTSD SSDI claim take in Colorado?
18 to 28 months from initial application through ALJ hearing. Veteran cases with strong VA documentation sometimes approve at initial application or reconsideration without requiring a hearing.