Distinguishing Between PTSD And TBI For Your Disability Claim

When a person is unable to work due to a medical condition, he or she may need certain types of financial support. If you find yourself in this position, you may understand first-hand how complicated it can be to navigate the process of recovery, from getting the medical help you need to seeking financial support for your Florida family. You may find it necessary to pursue a disability insurance claim.

Unfortunately, insurance companies are more concerned with their own bottom line than they are with your recovery and support when you are unable to work. They often deny claims for seemingly minor reasons. It’s important to be specific and clear about your disabling condition, especially when you are unable to work due to a mental disorder, such as a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.

What’s the difference?

When a person is struggling with an unseen injury, it can be difficult to prove how bad the injury is. It’s also critical to be very clear about the specific type of disorder or injury you have, as well as how it can impact your life. There is often confusion about the difference between PTSD and TBI, so it may help you to understand the following:

• There is no imaging test for PTSD, while there are certain types of tests a medical professional can do to set a definite diagnosis for a TBI.
• Insurance companies may consider PTSD a psychiatric disorder, which means that they could cease benefits after a certain amount of time.
• Insurance companies are more likely to consider TBI a neurological disorder, which means they may continue benefits indefinitely.
• There are specific tests a person can do that can help prove how either a TBI or PTSD is affecting their verbal cognition, response, memory and other abilities.

It’s not always easy to prove a mental disorder when seeking disability benefits. When you are trying to get what you need from a private insurer, you may find it beneficial to work with an attorney who is familiar with confronting the tactics often employed by insurance companies. This type of help can be invaluable when you are trying to prove how your disabling condition has hindered your ability to work.

Where should you start?

You may be unsure of where to start with your disability claim. It may be smart to start by reaching out for assistance from the earliest stages of your claim. Your Florida legal advocate can also provide guidance if you need to appeal a denied claim.