How I Was Approved for SSDI With Severe OCD While Living in Vietnam
Yes, I was approved for SSDI because of severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Many people have told me how difficult it is to get approved for disability benefits, whether through SSI or SSDI, especially for a mental health condition like OCD. While I cannot tell you how to win your own case, I can share my personal experience and what happened in mine.
If you have read my previous articles, you know that I left the United States because my OCD had become severely triggered by my environment. I relocated to Vietnam hoping for relief, but as many people with OCD eventually discover, OCD tends to follow you wherever you go.
Eventually, I decided to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
SSDI and Living Abroad
One thing that is important to understand is that SSDI and SSI are not the same program.
SSDI is generally based on work credits earned through employment and, in many cases, beneficiaries can continue receiving benefits while living abroad.
SSI has different rules and restrictions, including limitations on living outside the United States.
Because everyone's situation is different, it is important to verify current eligibility requirements directly with the Social Security Administration.
Gathering Evidence
After filing my SSDI application, I waited approximately six months before contacting a disability law firm in the United States.
Like many disability attorneys, they agreed to take my case on a contingency basis, meaning they would only be paid if I won.
Before hiring the attorney, however, I spent a tremendous amount of time gathering documentation.
I collected medical records going back many years, including psychiatric evaluations, psychologist reports, medication histories, physician notes, treatment records, and documentation of my OCD symptoms.
I also gathered statements from people who knew me personally and professionally, including managers, coworkers, friends, and family members who had witnessed how OCD affected my daily life and ability to function.
In my opinion, documentation was one of the most important parts of the entire process.
Medical Evaluations While Living Overseas
Because I was living in Vietnam, my case followed a somewhat different path than someone living in the United States.
The Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy coordinated parts of the process and helped arrange medical evaluations that were required for my case.
I was eventually referred to a psychiatrist at a French hospital in Vietnam for an evaluation.
She was excellent. In fact, I continued seeing her even after the disability process was completed, and she remains part of my treatment today.
A Longer Process Abroad
Because I was living overseas, my case moved more slowly than many domestic cases.
Instead of being handled through the same process used for many applicants living in the United States, additional coordination was required.
As a result, it took more than a year before I received my initial decision.
Fortunately, that first decision was an approval.
I was approved without needing a hearing or appeal.
Ironically, because the approval came so quickly relative to the normal disability process, my attorney did very little work on the case itself. However, having legal representation available gave me peace of mind in case an appeal became necessary.
What Helped My Case
Looking back, I believe several factors helped strengthen my application.
- Extensive medical records documenting OCD over many years.
- Consistent treatment history.
- Psychiatric evaluations and professional documentation.
- Statements from people who had personally observed my limitations.
- Clear evidence showing how OCD affected daily functioning.
Most importantly, everything was documented.
I did not rely on simply telling people how severe my OCD was. I provided records showing years of treatment, symptoms, and impairment.
My Advice
If you are considering applying for SSDI because of severe OCD or another disabling condition, my advice is simple: save everything.
Keep medical records. Keep treatment records. Keep medication histories. Maintain relationships with your treatment providers. Document how your condition affects your daily life.
And if you feel overwhelmed by the process, consider speaking with an attorney who specializes in disability claims. Many work on contingency and only receive payment if the claim succeeds.
Every case is different, and approval is never guaranteed.
But yes, it is possible to be approved for SSDI because of severe OCD. I was.
Additional Resources
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
- SSA Disability Benefits Information
- International OCD Foundation