You may have incurred a traumatic brain injury in the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision, firearm-related accident, violent attack, or some other type of catastrophic accident. Whatever the specificities of your case may be, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may consider your head injury to be serious enough to offer you Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, this may be so long as you can prove its drasticness. Read on to discover how to get approved for SSDI benefits after incurring a traumatic brain injury and how one of the lawyers experienced in SSDI eligibility in New Jersey, at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur, can support your application filing.
What does the SSA consider to be a traumatic brain injury?
First of all, by definition, a traumatic brain injury may arise when a penetrating object goes into the skull and contacts the brain tissue; when a penetrating object fractures the skull bone; or when an external impact causes a rapid forward and backward shaking of the brain against the skull. Nevertheless, such events may ultimately lead to significant brain damage.
With this, the SSA recognizes that a traumatic brain injury may present physical symptoms, mental symptoms, or a combination of both. More specific examples read as follows:
- Physical symptoms:
- An inability to control both of your arms, thereby creating a struggle to stand without assistance.
- An inability to control both of your legs, thereby creating a struggle to walk.
- An inability to control one arm and one leg, thereby creating a struggle to balance.
- Mental symptoms:
- An inability to finish tasks at the pace you once could.
- An inability to problem solve or follow instructions like you once could.
- An inability to regulate emotions and behaviors in a social setting.
- An inability to interact with others using socially appropriate manners.
How can I be approved for SSDI benefits for my traumatic brain injury?
It is worth mentioning that a mild traumatic brain injury typically does not qualify for SSDI benefits under the SSA’s listing for neurological disorders. Therefore, in your application, you must argue that you are suffering from a severe traumatic brain injury. You may strengthen this argument by supplying proof like your emergency room records, your CT scan and MRI scan results, your IQ testing results, and more.
Overall, this proof is meant to further demonstrate that your physical and mental functioning has significantly declined to the point where you are unable to return to or maintain gainful employment. Lastly, this proof must exhibit that your disability has lasted for at least three months.
So even if you are just considering applying for SSDI benefits, it is best to first consult with one of the competent New Jersey SSDI eligibility lawyers. Please contact us at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur today.
