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January 1, 2024

Navigating the SSA Adult Listings of Impairments

When you’re dealing with a debilitating medical condition and can’t work, access to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may be an essential resource to help you support yourself. However, navigating the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) complex guidelines, called the Listing of Impairments, for medical eligibility can often be an uphill battle for applicants. Understanding how these listings work—and how to prove that your condition meets the criteria—is essential to building a successful claim.

This blog post will explain what applicants should know about the SSA’s Listing of Impairments. We’ll discuss how the SSA listings work, which conditions qualify for benefits, and what evidence you need to make a strong claim for your eligibility.

If you’re feeling uncertain about the process, you’re not alone. An experienced attorney can help answer your questions about the process and guide you through every step on the road to seeking benefits.

What Is the SSA’s Listing of Impairments?

The Listing of Impairments is a part of the SSA’s “Blue Book,” which provides a guide for evaluating whether a person qualifies for disability benefits. The Blue Book outlines specific medical conditions that the SSA considers severe enough to prevent a person from working to support themselves financially.

The adult portion of the SSA’s listings is divided into 14 sections based on different bodily systems, e.g., musculoskeletal, respiratory, immune, mental, etc. Each section contains a list of specific medical conditions that affect that part of the body. Under each condition listed, the SSA specifies the symptoms and medical evidence required to prove the severity of the condition.

Meeting the criteria in one of these listings can help illustrate your inability to work—which is crucial for qualifying you to receive disability benefits. 

Which Medical Conditions Qualify for Disability in the SSA Listings?

The SSA listings outline dozens of conditions that could help qualify an applicant for disability benefits. Some examples of the different Social Security disability qualifying conditions listed include: 

• Limb amputation,
• Blindness,
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
• Heart disease,
• Diabetes,
• Liver disease,
• Epilepsy,
• Multiple sclerosis (MS),
• Schizophrenia,
• Down syndrome,
• Lupus, and
• Cancer.

However, a diagnosis alone does not guarantee approval. Each condition has specific requirements that you must meet to show your situation is severe enough to prevent you from working. 

For example, although the SSA disability list includes asthma, not all individuals with asthma will be approved for benefits. To qualify for SSDI due to asthma, you must show that your symptoms are frequent and severe enough to meet the stated disability criteria, even despite attempts at treatment. Without thorough evidence of your condition’s impact on your life, the SSA may deny your claim.

How Do I Prove That My Condition Meets the Listing?

To meet the criteria for an SSA listing, you must provide detailed medical documentation demonstrating your condition’s severity and impact on your ability to work. 

The key types of evidence you’ll need include:

• Clear diagnosis—a confirmed diagnosis from a medical professional of a condition listed in the Blue Book;
• Medical records and test results—such as laboratory tests, MRIs, X-rays, and clinical evaluations;
• Doctor’s statement—a written letter from your treating physician detailing how your condition meets the criteria outlined in the SSA listing; and
• Functional limitations assessment—documentation showing how your condition limits your ability to perform basic work-related activities, such as standing, walking, lifting, or concentrating.

Be aware: Even if your medical evidence is strong, the SSA could still deny your claim if you don’t present it properly. An experienced attorney can help you gather all necessary documentation and work to ensure it is clear and detailed enough to meet SSA standards.

Can I Get Disability for a Condition Not on the SSA Disability List?

Yes. You can still qualify for SSDI benefits even if the SSA’s Blue Book does not specifically list your condition. The SSA recognizes that not all disabling conditions fit neatly into one of their categories. In these cases, you must show that your condition is “medically equivalent” to a listed impairment.

To prove medical equivalence, you’ll need to demonstrate that:

• Your condition is severe enough to cause the same level of functional limitations as a listed impairment,
• You have similar medical findings and test results to those required for a listed condition, or
• You have multiple impairments that equal the severity of a listed condition.

For example, imagine you suffer from chronic migraines that don’t fit into a specific listing but cause severe functional limitations. The SSA may still approve your claim if the medical evidence shows that your symptoms are equivalent in severity to a listed neurological condition.

An attorney can help you determine whether your condition meets the medical equivalence standard and guide you through the application process.

What Else Do I Need to Qualify for Social Security Disability?

Meeting a medical listing is just one step in securing SSDI benefits. The SSA also requires applicants to meet other eligibility criteria, including:

• Work history. You must have sufficient work credits based on your age and employment history.
• Limited income. Your income must fall beneath the limits for substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to your condition.
• Condition duration. SSDI recipients must show that their condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

An experienced attorney can evaluate your case, determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements, and help ensure your application is as strong as possible.

Skilled and Sensitive Legal Guidance 

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits is a challenging and often emotional task. At the Law Offices of Jennifer R. Solomon, we understand how stressful and uncertain this process can be. For over a decade, we have dedicated ourselves to helping ease the burden of unraveling the SSA’s rules and assisting Californians to secure the benefits they deserve. Our approach to SSDI cases is compassionate and hands-on. Attorney Jennifer Solomon brings her extensive legal training, years of experience in disability law, and personal passion to each client, helping you feel supported and informed every step of the way. 

If you’ve been denied benefits or need help filing an initial claim, contact the Law Offices of Jennifer R. Solomon today to learn more about how we can help.

Resources:

• Social Security Administration, Substantial Gainful Activity, link.