SSA’s Listing of Impairments

The SSA’s Blue Book lists medical conditions that automatically qualify if their criteria are met. Categories include:

1. Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Severe back injuries (herniated discs, spinal stenosis)
• Joint problems such as advanced arthritis or hip/knee replacements with limitations
• Amputations that significantly limit mobility
• Fractures with long-term complications

2. Neurological Disorders

• Epilepsy with frequent uncontrolled seizures
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke with lasting impairments

3. Cardiovascular Disorders

• Chronic heart failure
• Coronary artery disease requiring bypass or stents
• Peripheral artery disease with severe walking limitations
• Recurrent arrhythmias affecting daily function

4. Respiratory Disorders

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Severe asthma with hospitalizations
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Cystic fibrosis

5. Mental Disorders

• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
• Severe anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Intellectual disabilities

6. Cancer

• Aggressive cancers or those with metastasis
• Certain cancers under Compassionate Allowances for expedited approval

7. Digestive System Disorders

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)
• Chronic liver disease (cirrhosis, liver failure)
• Short bowel syndrome

8. Endocrine Disorders

• Diabetes with severe complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, organ damage)
• Thyroid disorders with disabling effects

9. Genitourinary Disorders

• Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplant

10. Immune System Disorders

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• HIV/AIDS with severe functional limitations

Conditions Not Listed May Still Qualify

If your condition is not listed in the Blue Book, you can still qualify if:

• It is medically equivalent in severity to a listed condition
• It prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA) despite treatment and accommodations

Key Factors SSA Considers

Regardless of your diagnosis, SSA evaluates:

• Severity of your condition: Must limit your ability to perform basic work activities
• Functional limitations: How your condition affects daily life and ability to work
• Medical evidence: Detailed documentation from doctors, specialists, diagnostic tests, and hospital records

How to Prove Your Condition Qualifies

To strengthen your SSDI claim:

• Obtain detailed doctor statements explaining your functional limitations
• Submit recent medical records and test results
• Include treatment plans, medication lists, and evidence of compliance with treatment