List of Impairments per SSA Blue Book
Medical Impairments that Qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits
Summary: The Social Security Administration’s publication, “Disability Evaluation under Social Security,” also known as the “Blue Book” provides detailed information on their qualifying list of disabling conditions. There are, however, medical exceptions. If your medical condition is severe enough, and has made it impossible for you to work, you can still qualify for disability benefits.
SSA has identified impairments within 14 major body systems that are considered severe enough to prevent someone from doing “gainful activity,” which means work that earns income. Most of these conditions are permanent, and could result in death.
SSA’s publication, “Disability Evaluation under Social Security,” also known as the “Blue Book” lists these SSA-qualifying conditions.
The Blue Book is prepared to help health care professionals understand SSA’s disability determination process so that they can provide the medical information required to help SSA make decisions on disability claims.
Here is the list of impairments per the SSA Blue Book to help you identify if you could qualify for disability benefits.
Keep in mind that if your medical condition is not listed as an SSA-qualifying condition, you could still receive disability benefits if you can prove that your disability has made it impossible for you to work. SSA also considers your work history, skills, age and education to determine eligibility.
A Freedom Disability Advocate can help determine if you could be eligible for disability benefits.
List of Impairments per the SSA Blue Book
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Musculoskeletal System
Major dysfunction of a joint; reconstructive surgery of a major weight-bearing joint; disorders of the spine; amputation; fractures of the femur, tibia, pelvis, or tarsal bones; fracture of an upper extremity; soft tissue injury; arthritis
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Special Senses and Speech
Visual disorders; hearing impairments; loss of speech
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Respiratory System
Chronic pulmonary disease; ventilator y disease; asthma; cystic fibrosis; pneumoconiosis; bronchiectasis; chronic lung infections; sleep-related breathing disorders; lung transplant
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Cardiovascular System
Disorders that affect the proper functioning of the heart or circulatory system: chronic heart failure; ischemic heart disease; recurrent arrhythmias; symptomatic congenital heart disease; heart transplant; aneurysm of aorta or major branches; chronic venous insufficiency; peripheral arterial disease
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Digestive System
Gastrointestinal hemorrhaging requiring blood transfusion; chronic liver disease; inflammatory bowel disease; short bowel syndrome; weight loss due to any digestive disorder; liver transplant
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Genitourinary Impairments
Chronic renal (kidney) disease
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Hematological Disorders
Blood disorders such as chronic anemia; sickle cell disease; chronic thrombocytopenia (low platelet count); hereditary telangiectasia (small dilated blood vessels); coagulation defects such as hemophilia; bone marrow disorders; chronic granulocytopenia; aplastic anemias with bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
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Skin Disorders
Ichthyosis; bullous disease; chronic infections of the skin or mucous membranes; dermatitis; inflammatory disease of the apocrine sweat glands; genetic photosensitivity disorders; burns
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Endocrine System
Thyroid disorders; diabetes insipidus (water diabetes); hyper-function of the adrenal cortex; diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)
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Impairments that Affect Multiple Body Systems
Non-mosaic Down syndrome
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Neurological
Convulsive epilepsy (grand mal or psychomotor); non-convulsive epilepsy (petit mal, psychomotor, or focal); central nervous system vascular accident; brain tumors; Parkinsonian syndrome; cerebral palsy; spinal cord or nerve root lesions; multiple sclerosis; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease); myasthenia gravis; muscular dystrophy; peripheral neuropathies; sub acute combined cord degeneration; degenerative disease; cerebral trauma; syringomyelia; stroke
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Mental Disorders
Psychological or behavioral abnormalities associated with the dysfunction of the brain (organic mental disorders); schizophrenic, paranoid and other psychotic disorders; affective disorders; mental retardation; anxiety-related disorders; somatoform (physical symptoms) disorders; personality disorders; substance addiction disorders; autistic disorder; other developmental disorders; Alzheimer’s
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Malignant Neoplastic Diseases
Soft tissue tumors of the head and neck; skin; soft tissue sarcoma; lymphoma; leukemia; multiple myeloma; salivary glands; thyroid gland; breast; skeletal system-sarcoma; maxilla, orbit or temporal fossa; nervous system; lungs; luera or mediastinum; esophagus or stomach; small intestine; large intestine; liver or gallbladder; pancreas; kidneys, adrenal glands, or ureters carcinoma; urinary bladder carcinoma; cancers of the female genital tract; testicles; penis; metastatic carcinoma or sarcoma; malignant neoplastic diseases treated by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
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Immune System Disorders
Systemic lupus erythematosus; systemic vasculitis; systemic sclerosis; polymyositis and dermatomyositis; undifferentiated and mixed connective tissue disease; immune deficiency disorders (excluding HIV infections); human immunodeficiency(HIV) infection; inflammatory arthritis; Sjogren’s syndrome; Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Learn More About Your Disability Benefits:
Cancer, Malignant Neoplastic Disease: Social Security Disability
Neurological Disorders, Brain, Spinal Cord: Social Security Disability
The Social Security Compassionate Allowance Initiative
Digestive Disorders: Social Security Disability
Use Over the Counter Pain Relievers with Caution
Respiratory Impairments, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis: Social Security Disability
Yoga Therapy for People with Disabling Chronic Health Conditions
Can anyone tell me if you would think i could qualify for SSDI . I have had 3 heart attacks and have lost use of the bottom 3rd of my heart. Dr has told me a by-pass may not do me much better them i am now as I still have a small artery 100 % blocked. I also suffer from severe panic attacks
Don, If you have a recent enough work history and have paid into Social Security to be insured for disability benefits, perhaps you should look into applying, especially if you can't work due to your condition or are earning below substantial gainful activity of $1000 a month. Cardiovascular disease is a qualifiying impairment. Some cardiovascular diseases are also included on SSA's Compassionate Allowance list. Perhaps talking to one of our Eligiblity Consultants can give you more guidance. Please call 866-347-2910.
Several years ago I was injured in a fire while living in Ohio. They labeled me 30% partial permanently disabled. Do I qualify for SSI in Florida ?
Larry, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program for people with disabilities who have low income and resources. If your condition prevents you from working, and your doctors support that you are disabled, you can apply for SSI no matter where you live but you must meet the criteria for eligibility. If you think you do, the best place to start the application process or to find out your options is your local Social Security office.
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2008. I take shots as well as oral meds for it. I have high blood pressure. I am obese - 240 lbs. I have had major pains in ankles, knees, hip, shoulder and especially left wrist/hand. Rheumatologist says flairups in wrist, began injections in wrist. they were so painful i cried. my pcp sent me to an orthopedic surgeon for pain in dominant left hand, Found out i also have kienbocks disease. they did a proximal row carpectomy - removing 3 dead bones. i am so tired, and its beyond painful to begin each day. do i qualify for anything, or do i just continue to work through this? i have worked continuously for 12 yrs. i am now 32 yrs old... im not sure how much more pain my body can take. i have to wear tennis shoes in a professional work environment. i wish i could wake up as someone else... (i know others have it worse than me and im sorry for you also).
Shell, You are so young to have such problems. If you want to pursue disability benefits you need to ask yourself if your conditions have become so severe that you cannot work at any job. This is the puprose of Social Security disability insurance (SSDI). It is a financial safety net for people in this situation. However, unless the condition clearly meets SSA's definition of disability, it can be very hard to prove that a medical condition is preventing someone from working. Your age could be a factor because the younger you are, and depending on your level of education, SSA may feel that you could retrain for different work. These are called "vocational guidelines" to determine disability. Also, you would not qualify at this time if you are currently earning more than Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) which is $1,000 a month. Another consideration for you is that your earnings throughout your working life determines how much your benefit will be, either for disability or when you reach retirement age. I know this sounds discouraging but you do have serious medical problems, and if your doctors think you should apply for disability, I recommend giving us a call to talk to an Eligibility Consultant at 866-347-2910 to get a better evaluation of your situation. It can take a while to get approved for disability, but if you do, and you decide at some point that you want to try to work again, SSA's Ticket to Work program could be an option for you too.
I AM TB ACTIVE, BUT I DON'T SEE IT IN THE LIST OF ELIGIBLE SSD ILLNESSES, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF I QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY???
Juan, Even though you don't see your specific condition listed in SSA's Blue Book, if it can be proven that your condition is so severe it is preventing you from working at any job, you could still qualify. There are other factors as well, such as your age and ability to retrain for different work. You also must be insured for benefits, meaning that you have paid into Social Security through work and you have enough work credits to be eligible. The best way for you to understand if you qualify or not is to talk to one of our Eligibility Consultants at 866-347-2910. We need to know more about you to tell you if you qualify for Social Security disability insurance benefits.
hi my name is Kimmie I don't see my medical condition either I have Vertigo ( inner ear imbalance effects my equilibriam) makes it very difficult to work or find a job now i lost my job of 3 years in 2007 haven't been able to find a job since My vertigo started at the end of 2005 i was able to stay for a whole year with my job as a front service clerk at a grocery store bagging groceries carrying orders out for custumers keeping work space cleaned up and even doing janitorial work and was being trianed for cashiering but as the year progressed so did my virtigo it got to the point where i slowly stopped doing certain things at my job and ended up getting me let go from my job becasue i couldnt handle little tasks like i was able to do with no problem becasue the vertigo is disabling me ive been to numourous doctors used all the money i had lost my job almost lost my home . i've had so many tests with doctors i feel like a human pin pillow and a lab rat , but no doctor has been able to determin why the vertigo started or how to stop it i suffer with this daily the more activities i do the more vertigo comes My world has been turned upside down i;ve had this now for six years and ive tried applying for SSI by my doctors saying i should . will somebody PLEASE TELL ME IM ELIGIBLE IM ABOUT TO GIVE UP ON TRYING ANYMORE this is so annoying the more i seem to try the more i get ignored bypassed or uneligible Please this is my last chance to get any help at all I really pray that Vertigo is on your list of eligable disabilities for SSI if not please direct me where i could go to get financial help Thank You for at least looking this over and responding to me Have a nice day and God Bless You ....Awaiting your response
Kimmie, It sounds like you have Meniere's disease. This can be a chronic and disabling condition. From what you say, it sounds like you've been trying to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which is for people with disabilities who have low income and resources. If you can't get approved for SSI it could mean that you don't meet the income and resource criteria for SSI. Or you haven't been successful in proving that your condition is disabling. Have you considered applying for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI)? If you paid into Social Security and have enough work credits, and, you have the help of your doctors through their documentation of tests and treatments to help prove that your condition is a chronic disabling condition, maybe SSDI is an option. As for financial help, I would look into your local Social Services programs. There are strict eligibility rules for both Social Security programs, but it's possible that we can help you apply for SSDI. One of our Eligibility Consultants can evaluate your options for you. If interested, please call 866-347-2910.
Hi, umm i really dont know how to explain my situation but here i go. I suffer from depression and stress i also have a situation where if someone touch me or hit me the way i was hit when i got jumped i automaticlly hit that person. An example is when my girlfriend kicked me and i lost it and kicked her hard on her knee. I didnt mean to and i felt very bad afterwards. Now i dont know if that is anything cause i havent seen a doctor for that. So any advice would be grateful thanks so much.
Dave, Since I'm not a doctor, I don't t know what to say about your problem. If you think it's a condition that could affect your ability to work, you should see a doctor, because, a big part of the application process for getting approved for Social Security disability insurance is to be able to medically support your disabling condition. So, I guess, if I were you, I'd go to a medical expert. Hopefully, you can be helped and you will be able feel better. Good luck.
I am a 32 year old male diagnosed with a-fib and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (aka POTS) with syncope. I also have a dual chamber pacemaker due to my heart stopping. Even after being diagnosed I have tried to go back to work. I was recently medically released from my job. I am constantly lightheaded and in and out of the hospital. I do not see anything in the SSA regarding my condition. Would it be difficult for me to to get on disability?
Corey, It is very difficult to get approved for Social Security disability insurance benefits unless you clearly have a severe medical condition that meets SSA's definition of disability, such as the conditions listed in SSA's Blue Book. You would have to medically prove that you have a long-term disability that is preventing you from working at any job. SSA will look at your functionality, age and education to determine if you can do different work. Considering your young age, it may be a challenge to prove that you can't work at all. But, this does not mean that you couldn't succeed in getting approved. There are all kinds of factors involved in the disability approval process. Very often an expert disablity advocate can make the difference for such cases. I suggest calling us at 866-347-2910 to talk to an Eligibility Consultant who can better assess your situation if you really think you want to pursue disability benefits through Social Security. Also, keep in mind, that the longer you are able to work, the more you are paying to Social Security which will contribute to a greater benefit when you are older.
On aug 3, 2001 I was in a very bad car accident I broke nine ribs on my left side numbers 2-10. I had a collapsed lung and bruised spleen, they did two chest tubes on me in one day, and after the accident I started getting pnemonia twice a year, the doctors explained that I would get pnemonia every year as a result of the damaged done to my lung my spleen was also damaged and after that I suffered seizures. I still have lots of pain on my left side from that accident. I have been trying to work but as a result of my rib and lung injury it makes it impossible for me to sit or stand a long time. Im getting unemployment now because I was trying to work but I really cant. So how soon can I apply for ssi and ssd.
Bre, If you believe you can't work at any job, you should get started on an application as soon as possible. There are many eligibiliy factors involved in determining disability and SSA is strict in that determination process. That's because they must be absolutely certain that you're totally unable to work at any job due to your medical condition. And it can take a long time to reach a decision. You don't have to wait until your unemployment benefits expire to apply for disability benefits.. I suggest you call in to talk to an Eligibility Consultant at 866-347-2910 to find out if you qualify for SSDI and/or SSI.
Does anyone know if I would be eligible for SSI because of my son's congential heart defects whisch need to be monitored through his whole life? Thanks
Jennifer, I suggest reading SSA's electronic booklet about children with disabiliteis and applying for benefits. You will have to prove your child's condition is disabling, and you will also have to meet the income and resources criteria to be eligible for SSI. I hope you can get the help you need. Good luck.
I have cerebral palsy and my son has spina bifida myelomeningocele could we both get SSDI and/or SSI?
Niki, You should check with your local Social Security office. It seems you have qualifying medical conditions. But to qualify for SSDI, you still must have paid into Social Security through recent-enough work to be insured for SSDI. And your income and resources must meet the criteria required for SSI, which is a needs-based program that does not require work history. Please check the Eligibility section of this Web site for more information. Also, please check SSA's publication on applying for children with disabilities.
My daughter is 6 years old and she was diagnosed with autism, and she is a carrier for Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy at the age of 3. She has been in speech therapy since she was 17 months old because she didn't speak and then they put her in physical and occupational therapy because she has low muscle tone and her hand eye coordination was off, so I had her tested through Fiddlers and the put her in the Head start program and she has an IEP. We just applied for SSI in June 2011, and I just had an interview on Oct. 28, 2011, then she received a check for presumptive pay November 4, 2011. My question is, Do you think she has a good case to get SSI?
Heatherlee, It is hard for me to advise you on what will happen with Social Security. If you haven't read the SSA booklet about Benefits for Children with Disablities click on the title to review the SSA process in determining eligiblity. I am sorry for your daughter's impairments. I sincerely hope things will work out for your familiy concerning SSI.
Got this letter from my doctor, after denied first time, I have filed for reconsideration, had some state forms I failed to fill out, I did complete and return them along with this letter from doc that reads. Craig has been a patient since Feb 2011 for treatment and control of congerital problem that causes recurrent blood clots. Craig has had several episodes of life threatening pulmanuary emboli (blood clots to lungs) and suffers from chronic postiphiebitic syndrome, a painfull condition of swelling and discomfort in his legs caused by long term blood clots in the blood vessels of his lower xtremities. These symptoms are aggravetted by weightbearing and activity. Unfortnunetly since his condition is congenital, there is no cure for it and he will be suffering from these conditions indefinitely. It is my professional opinion that Craig is perminently incapacitated from performing strenious activities that would require him to bear eight on his lower extremities for any period of time. Additionly strenuous activities such as bending and lifting may exacerbate blood clot migration an precipitate recurrent pulmonary emboli. thank you bla bla. Now with that letter, is there anything I am missing, what I have is factor 2 dna gene mutation. There is also another doc that stated he cannot fix this with surgery, way past the point. I have had ultrasounds and blood tests up the ying yang....to back everything up 100% Is there something I need to prove I am missing this time around you think? Craig
Craig, It sounds like you have medical conditions that are preventing you from working, and you appear to have the support of your doctors to prove disability. Regardless, there could be other factors and vocational guidelines SSA has reviewed that led to their initial denial decision that perhaps a professional disability expert could determine. This article about applying for disability benefits on your own, as well as the list of articles following it are worth scanning through to better understand this very complicated process. Unfortunately, nearly 65 percent of first-time applications are denied. It is good that you are appealing. Chances for approval improve, especially if your case goes to hearing. Hopefully it won't take too long to get a favorable decision. Good luck to you.
I am a 48 yr old male with graves disease, Degenerative disk disease, copd,depression. I lived with this graves disease for 5yrs before finding out,lost 50lbs,blurred vision and suffer from fatigue. I also have 2 doctors and no money Should i apply? plz respond...
My husband died from sickle anemia about 15 years ago. How do I find out if he apply for social security benefits before he died? And have my time run out to get back pay if he had apply? Thanks
Hi Lena, You will need to contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213, to find out if he did apply for benefits. Hope this helps.
I had stents placed in 2 arteries in July to open up arteries supplying blood to the left side of the bottom of my heart. There are still 2 arteries that the doctors wanted to do bypass on on the back side of my heart. After the heart surgeon looked at all my imaging they took he determined that due to diabetes that there was no artery left to by pass to on the other side of the blockage. So I still have 2 blocked arteries. I get short of breath and chest pains doing thins as simple as bringing grocery bags in from the car. With the blocked arteries and the type 2 diabetes should I talk to my doctor about if he thinks I should look at disability. I have not worked in 7 months.
Hi Brian, The first step is to get an evaluation from one of our eligibility consultants. You’ll be asked some questions about your condition and how it interferes with your ability to work. You’ll also be asked about your work history to help determine if you are insured for benefits. This free consultation will also give you some guidance on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.
looking for some clear answers, I was diegnosd with colon cancer. I have had two operations and looking toward a 3rd to remove my colon. I will have a bag after that. The problem is that I have two mutated genes that causes milignit polyps moltiply by the thousands . I do slot of manual type labor. Do I qualify for disability. I don't want to stop working if I don't but not qualified for clerical work.
I have moderate bilateral hearing loss, wear two hearing aids, have Borderline Personality Traits, Bipolar Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Expressive Communicative Disorder. Do any or a combination of those qualify me for SSI, even though I am a couple of months away from 19? They severely limit my daily life and I've had 11 psychiatric inpatient hospitalizations since 2005. I was also in a Residential Treatment Facility for 14 months, and in group, foster, and independent living facilities.
Hi Tina, Thanks for your post. Freedom Disability does not provide assitance to those apply for SSI benefits, however I would recommend reviewing the SSI application form through the Social Security Administration website. When you apply to Social Security for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) you have to provide medical proof of your disabling condition and you must meet a certain level of income and resources to qualify for this needs-based program. Hope this helps.
I am presently getting SSDI,since 1986 or 1987. I suffered a severe head injury from a bank shooting, the bullet entered my left temple and was surgically removed from my right. I suffer, to this day, from not only post traumatic stress disorder, but from "Cognitive Brain Disfunction" I am presently with AARP-Medicare Complete. It is presently cheaper then getting a supplement.(3/21/55- B.D.)But can I do more?
hello i have a 14 month son and i just found out he has down syndrome. how do i find out if he will be able to recieve it?
i am 48 years old, i had PE oct 2011, i am on blood thinners, was also diagnosed with pulmonaty hypertension, i also have hogh blood pressure. i am always exhausted and depressed. very scared of another embolism. i am along with my pulmonalogist, primary care dr, now seeing a psychiastrist. i cant work am i eligable for ssd
Hi Wanda, I would say the first step is to get an evaluation from one of our eligibility consultants. When you call in you’ll be asked some questions about your condition and how it interferes with your ability to work. You’ll also be asked about your work history to help determine if you are insured for benefits. This free consultation will also give you some guidance on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.