Medical conditions that qualify for social security disability

Medical conditions that qualify for social security disability
If you suffer from a disability that stops you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In order to qualify for benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires you to prove the following:

  • Your disability prevents you from continuing working at your job.
  • Your disability keeps you from obtaining a different type of work.
  • Your disability will last one year or longer or will cause your death.

One easier way to establish your eligibility for benefits is to show that you suffer from a disability in the Social Security Blue Book.

Medical Conditions Listed in the SSA’s Blue Book That Qualifies You for SSDI Benefits

The Social Security Administration has prepared a Blue Book with a listing of impairments of medical conditions that they consider serious enough to be disabling and prevent a person from working. Common disabilities contained in the Blue Book include:

  • Musculoskeletal problems, such as back injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
  • Cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, angina, and abnormal heart rhythm
  • Sense and speech issues, such as vision and hearing loss
  • Respiratory illnesses, including chronic pulmonary hypertension, asthma, and cystic fibrosis
  • Neurological disorders, such as Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, neuralgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Mental conditions, such as depression, anxiety, autism, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and intellectual disabilities
  • Immune system disorders, such as HIV/AIDs, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Skin problems, such as dermatitis and burns
  • Digestive tract illnesses, including liver disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and short bowel syndrome
  • Genitourinary conditions, such as chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome
  • Cancer, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, breast cancer, and most other types of cancer
  • Hematological diseases, such as bone marrow failure, thrombosis, hemostasis, and hemolytic anemia

What Happens If Your Disability Is Not Listed in the SSA Blue Book?

You may still qualify for SSDI if your medical condition is not listed in the Blue Book. In order to be eligible, you would need to prove that your condition meets the definition of disability and is of equal severity as those listed in the Blue Book.

Contact a Social Security Disability Attorney

Do you have questions about whether you are eligible for SSDI benefits? Do you need assistance filing your application? Our New Mexico Social Security disability lawyers are here to help. Call our Roswell office or fill out our convenient online form to schedule your free consultation today.


A range of injuries, illnesses, and other medical conditions are eligible for Social Security disability. If you are injured or become ill and experience a loss of income, you could apply for Social Security disability benefits.

What Is a Disability?

Medical conditions that qualify for social security disability
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), a person has a disability if they:

  • Have a medical condition preventing them from working and engaging in substantial gainful activity
  • Can’t do the job they had before the accident or adjust to another type of work
  • Have the condition for at least one year or expect it to last for at least one year or result in death

The SSA considers these five factors when determining if an injured or sick worker has a disability and is eligible for benefits:

  • Whether the employee still works and their average monthly wages are over $1,350
  • Whether the disability significantly limits the ability to perform basic tasks at work, such as sitting, lifting, standing, or walking
  • Whether the condition is on the list of qualifying medical conditions
  • Whether the worker can perform their previous job due to the disability
  • Whether the employee can find another job based on their age, education, experience, skills, and medical conditions

Conditions Eligible for Disability Benefits

Many conditions can qualify you for automatic benefits. You can find them on the Social Security Administration’s listing of impairments. Some of the most common conditions eligible for disability benefits are below.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders affect the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Common types of conditions include:

  • Back pain – An injury to the spine, muscles, tissue, discs, or spinal cord can cause significant pain and a range of other symptoms. It can impair the ability to perform various job-related tasks.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disorder that can lead to pain, joint stiffness, fatigue, and weakness. It can severely affect a person’s physical functioning.
  • Fibromyalgia – Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes widespread pain in the musculoskeletal system. Symptoms commonly include memory issues, fatigue, and dull aching pain.

Mental Disorders

Although mental disorders might not seem disruptive to a person’s physical job-related abilities, they can cause debilitating symptoms. Mental illnesses that qualify for SSD benefits include:

  • Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders – Schizophrenia causes behavior that can impair daily functioning. Symptoms can include delusions, disordered thinking, and hallucinations.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder – PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event. Severe anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares are common with this type of mental disorder.
  • Mood disorders – Depression and anxiety are among the most common mood disorders. They can severely limit a person’s cognitive function and cause debilitating physical symptoms.

Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system consists of capillaries, veins, and the heart. Different conditions can affect the cardiovascular system, such as:

  • Coronary artery disease – The coronary arteries narrow from plaque build-up when someone has coronary artery disease. This decreases the amount of blood and oxygen the heart receives.
  • Angina – Angina is a condition that causes severe chest pain. It can also radiate to the arms, neck, and shoulders. The pain results from a decrease in blood flow to the heart.
  • Hypertension – Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, can cause severe damage and lead to a stroke, heart disease, or another cardiovascular problem.

Cancer

Different types of cancer are eligible for SSD benefits depending on multiple factors. The most common cancers involved in disability claims include:

  • Lymphoma
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Skin cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Breast cancer
  • Sarcoma of the skeletal system
  • Cancers of the neck and head
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Soft tissue sarcoma
  • Lung cancer
  • Intestinal cancer
  • Stomach or esophageal cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Testicular cancer
  • Malignant melanoma
  • Liver cancer

Neurological Disorders

Medical conditions that qualify for social security disability
Neurological disorders affect the brain and nerves around the body and spinal cord. Common neurological conditions limiting a person’s abilities at work include:

  • Multiple sclerosis – Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disease. The immune system attacks the myelin, the protective covering around nerve fibers, and disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
  • Traumatic brain injury – A traumatic brain injury can result from a violent jolt or blow to the head or neck or penetrating injury. Dizziness, headaches, and fatigue are common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury.
  • Muscular dystrophy – Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause a loss of muscle mass and progressive weakness. It can lead to frequent falls, causing additional injuries and medical issues.

Contact Us

If you suffered an injury or illness that prevents you from earning your usual wages, contact Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. today. You might qualify for disability benefits if you can’t return to your job or make the income you made before your diagnosis.

Call Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. at 516-496-0400 for a free consultation with one of our New York Social Security disability attorneys.


What illnesses are covered by Social Security disability?

Disability Evaluation Under Social Security.
1.00. Musculoskeletal Disorders..
2.00. Special Senses and Speech..
3.00. Respiratory Disorders..
4.00. Cardiovascular System..
5.00. Digestive System..
6.00. Genitourinary Disorders..
8.00. Skin Disorders..

What illnesses qualify as a disability?

10 of the most common conditions that qualify for disability benefits are Arthritis, Heart Disease, Degenerative Disc Disease, Respiratory Illness, Mental Illness, Cancer, Stroke, Nervous System Disorders, Diabetes, Immune System Disorders.

What is the most approved disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

What symptoms qualify for Social Security disability?

Some of the most common conditions that qualify for SSDI include different forms of cancer, blindness, respiratory diseases like COPD, digestive disorders like IBD, chronic kidney disease, dermatitis, epilepsy, and anxiety to name a few.