SSA’s Listing of Impairments

The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, often called the “Blue Book,” which includes specific conditions that automatically qualify if their criteria are met. Categories include:

1. Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Severe back injuries and disorders
• Arthritis affecting major joints
• Amputations
• Fractures with poor healing

2. Neurological Disorders

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

3. Cardiovascular Disorders

• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Arrhythmias that limit function

4. Respiratory Disorders

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma with frequent hospitalizations
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Cystic fibrosis

5. Mental Disorders

• Depression and bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
• Anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Intellectual disabilities

6. Cancer

• Advanced or aggressive cancers, including those with metastasis
• Certain cancers under SSA’s Compassionate Allowances for faster approval

7. Digestive System Disorders

• Severe liver disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)
• Short bowel syndrome

8. Endocrine Disorders

• Diabetes with severe complications (neuropathy, vision loss, organ damage)
• Thyroid disorders causing functional limitations

9. Genitourinary Disorders

• Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplant

10. Immune System Disorders

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• HIV/AIDS with severe complications

Conditions Not Listed May Still Qualify

Even if your exact condition is not in the Blue Book, you can still qualify if:

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

Key SSDI and SSI Qualification Factors

Regardless of your diagnosis, SSA will evaluate:

• How your condition limits your ability to work
• Whether it prevents you from performing past jobs or adjusting to other work
• The duration and severity of your impairment, supported by medical evidence

Medical Evidence Required

To prove your disability, provide:

• Doctor’s treatment notes and specialist records
• Diagnostic test results (imaging, labs, functional tests)
• Hospital records and surgical reports
• A detailed statement from your treating physician explaining your functional limitations