SSDI Application Supporting Documents during MEB

S

sandsailor

Well-Known Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
BLUF: For those who have had successful SSDI claims during MEB, what paperwork did you provide to support your claim?

I'm currently going through an MEB for chronic severe PTSD which has kept me out of work. In the past year, I've been in a residential treatment facility, two partial hospitalization programs, and multiple intensive outpatient programs. I am sending what I have available to me and understand they will make a decision based on my conditions and employability. I have medical documentation, some of which states the following:

Limited Duty (LIMDU) paperwork stating: "PTSD symptoms significantly interferes with job as *** and daily life."
Clinical Health Psychology clinical notes: "currently unable to work due to multiple mental health concerns."

For those who have been through the process and had success claims, what work related documents did you provide to demonstrate your disability's impact on your employment or employability? This is what I have put together so far:

MEB related Non Medical Assessment (NMA) stating: "Member is in a non-deployable status and unable to stand primary duties or watch due to symptoms and triggers related to Chronic PTSD...Member has been unavailable for work due to inpatient residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient programs...Member's hypersomnia related to Chronic PTSD interferes with reliability to attend work." The form also has the following boxes checked: Member is NOT working in rate/MOS; Member is NOT deployable; Member does NOT have potential for future service.

VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Decision Letter: "You meet the criteria for an employment handicap since your SCD(s) contribute in substantial part to the vocational impairment and you have not overcome the effects of the impairment through further education, transferable skills, or obtaining and maintaining suitable work."

Mission impact statement from supervisor stating: trauma "interferes with ability to perform basic administrative requirements."

I am currently gathering my documents and hoping this is enough; however, if anyone has advice based on their own experiences, I'd love to hear from you.
 
I am sorry you are going through this. Depends if you want to work or you want SDDI for the money. Either way, take care of yourself and try to find happiness in either path you take. On a different note, I had/ have chronic ptsd/ depression and anxiety from direct combat ( formally armt special forces medic( 18d) and the best thing for me was to find a new purpose through work. I know the program is there, but just like all the treatment/ programs, it is there to make you better and to make you realize you have more to give
 
Blk42 said:
I am sorry you are going through this. Depends if you want to work or you want SDDI for the money. Either way, take care of yourself and try to find happiness in either path you take. On a different note, I had/ have chronic ptsd/ depression and anxiety from direct combat ( formally armt special forces medic( 18d) and the best thing for me was to find a new purpose through work. I know the program is there, but just like all the treatment/ programs, it is there to make you better and to make you realize you have more to give
Click to expand...
Don't fall victim to your rating or disability, you are much more than that and can serve just as well in a different capacity
 
People csn milk the system or they can use it to better themselves and make a difference in the community. The commitment to the country doesn't end once you take the uniform off from your respective service. You have much more to give than you realize from your experiences. Good or bad.
 
I understand your perspective and I'm looking to reestablish myself into the community, but it's going to take a lot of work and I'm still going through my MEB. As it stands right now, I am focused on treatment for PTSD. Also combat related, special operations support.

In the meanwhile, I need this cushion to support my family as I try to pull things back together. I'm just hoping there are some others who can share their experience and make some suggestions as to what to include with the SSDI application or advice as to how to make a successful claim.
 
I wish I could help more here but I just went straight to a lawyer as the process is much more difficult/drawn out than applying for VA benefits. Also for mental health issues. Basically sent them everything you mentioned above so we'll see how that goes. Applied in August 2021 and am still waiting...
 
randomairman27 said:
I wish I could help more here but I just went straight to a lawyer as the process is much more difficult/drawn out than applying for VA benefits. Also for mental health issues. Basically sent them everything you mentioned above so we'll see how that goes. Applied in August 2021 and am still waiting...
Click to expand...
I probably should have hired an attorney, definitely will if I have to appeal a denial. Were you still going through an MEB while you filed? Also, is yours being processed as a "wounded warrior" claim?
 
sandsailor said:
I probably should have hired an attorney, definitely will if I have to appeal a denial. Were you still going through an MEB while you filed? Also, is yours being processed as a "wounded warrior" claim?
Click to expand...
I’m still active duty, should be out in about 2 months though. That’s actually a good question, I mentioned I was active duty all over my claim but never received anything that flagged me as “wounded warrior”, I’m actually gonna check on that tomorrow.
 
randomairman27 said:
Dealing with SSA has been an absolute pain in the ass from the beginning which is why I just went to a lawyer.
Click to expand...
If you don’t mind sharing, how has it been a pain in the ass? Trying to get an idea of what to expect. I initially filed February 2 and mailed in records shortly after.

I haven’t had the patience to sit on hold for hours to speak to an actual person, but may call again to get an appoint or just do a walk in to drop off additional documentation.
 
sandsailor said:
If you don’t mind sharing, how has it been a pain in the ass? Trying to get an idea of what to expect. I initially filed February 2 and mailed in records shortly after.

I haven’t had the patience to sit on hold for hours to speak to an actual person, but may call again to get an appoint or just do a walk in to drop off additional documentation.
Click to expand...
Trouble getting in touch with an actual human…”informally” denying me when turning in a document 1 day late when it was postmarked before the deadline…sending all correspondence by mail which is why I sent the document in late, I was literally 250 miles from my house/mailbox in the hospital for 2 months for the very condition I was claiming…having to go through appeal process to have case reopened…switching which field office services me for no reason (stationed in middle of nowhere so no actual office I can go to)…no idea the status of your case or how long it will take. Just stuff like that.
 
Complete the SSDI form as fully as possible. Go through the form multiple times over multiple days, stop and looking up things you can't recall/remember. Signed the medical release so the SSA has access to all your medical records. Be sure on the forms you note you are wounded warrior. Within a few weeks after receiving your application, SSA will also send you a form to complete of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). You and someone who knows your situation must complete and return this form. From pushing the SSDI send button it was less than 45 days before approval.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
Within a few weeks after receiving your application, SSA will also send you a form to complete of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). You and someone who knows your situation must complete and return this form. From pushing the SSDI send button it was less than 45 days before approval.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this response. I just spoke to someone at my local office and they sent out the ADL and history of employment for me to complete as it's currently in preliminary review. My wife is helping me with the form and I'm trying to be thorough and concise with the ADL. Definitely have listed wounded warrior on the paperwork I've submitted thus far.

I know the forms are pretty straight forward, but I'm stressing out about them nevertheless.

45 days seems really quick! Would be great to see those kind of results. Did you end up receiving any back pay on your claim?
 
I would remind you that from the day you submitted the form, if approved, you must go five months without SSDI pay. It is the law and applies to all applicants for SSDI. It is important to remember that the criteria for approval of SSDI and VA disability are totally different.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
I would remind you that from the day you submitted the form, if approved, you must go five months without SSDI pay.
Click to expand...
I understand there is a five month waiting period, but I’m reading that is from the date of disability onset determined by SSA. From the SSA wounded warrior website:

  • If you meet the requirements for disability benefits, there is a five-month waiting period before your first monthly benefit can be paid. You can receive up to 12 months of retroactive benefits from the date you file an application with Social Security.
Example: You file an application for Social Security disability benefits in December 2011. After reviewing your claim, we find that your disability started on April 15, 2010…Your five-month waiting period begins May 2010, the first full month you are disabled. The months in your waiting period are May, June, July, August, and September. Thus, the first month for which you are entitled to disability benefits is October 2010.
 
The date of your application is what SSA will conisder.
 
I was advised by my wounded warrior to apply. But I waited several months to take her advice. That cost me!
 
chaplaincharlie said:
I was advised by my wounded warrior to apply. But I waited several months to take her advice. That cost me!
Click to expand...
Hope you guys get better luck than my wife. She applied and has a horrible case manager that doesn't know anything about the military or wounded warriors. She has been sitting on paperwork for months. Also, she said my wife is still working so she shouldn't qualify because she can't comprehend getting paid while not working... Attorney is looking at options. My wife may need to get some congressional help. Her application should be faster than others but it has been the opposite.
 
Sorry your wife is having a difficult time with the process. I’m trying my luck without an attorney for now, but will hire one if I need to appeal. Definitely should have filed months ago, but have been trolling the forums and the ssa site to get my head wrapped around the process.

I’m dropping off my supporting documents today, including activities of daily living, employment history, medical disclosure authorizations and what I mentioned earlier in the post.

Hopefully it gets things moving.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top