List of Disabilities for SSDI

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly income for Americans who are unable to work due to a physical or mental impairment, but which conditions qualify for disability?

The SSA follows strict rules on which conditions are eligible and whether they prevent you from working. In this article, we’ll discuss what the SSA considers a disability and what conditions qualify for disability insurance.

What is the SSDI definition of disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as a medical condition severe enough to prevent someone from working for at least a year or that results in death. Short-term disabilities (like a back injury expected to heal within a few months) don’t qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

It’s important to note that even if your disability keeps you from working your old job, you aren’t eligible for SSDI if you’re able to work in any job that raises your income past the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limits. 

SGA is a level of work and income that the Social Security Administration considers significant enough to disqualify someone from receiving benefits. In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month, increased to $2,700 for adults who are blind.

Which medical conditions qualify for long-term disability?

The SSA maintains a detailed list, known as the Blue Book, that details the medical criteria for qualifying adult disabilities.

Even if your condition isn’t in the Blue Book, you may still be eligible for benefits depending on your health and other factors. If the SSA isn’t able to make a decision based on the evidence you provided, you may be able to complete a residual functional capacity (RFC) form. These evaluations review medical evidence to make informed assessments of your capabilities, accounting for your disability.

If your doctor is unable to complete an RFC evaluation, an SSA examiner may help with completing one.

You can also speak with your doctor about strengthening your case with a residual functional capacity (RFC) evaluation. These evaluations review medical evidence to make informed assessments of your capabilities, accounting for your disability. 

If your doctor is unable to complete an RFC evaluation, an SSA examiner may help create one based on provided medical evidence.

You can find some common disorders found in the Blue Book listed below.

In this list of SSDI conditions:

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Special senses and speech disorders
• Respiratory disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Digestive disorders
• Genitourinary disorders
• Hematological disorders
• Skin disorders
• Endocrine disorders
• Congenital disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Mental disorders
• Cancer
• Immune disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders

• Arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis)
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Amputation (upper or lower limb)
• Fractures (long-healing or non-healing)

Special senses and speech disorders

• Blindness (visual acuity of 20/200 or less in one or both eyes)
• Hearing loss
• Speech impairments

Respiratory disorders

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma (severe, frequent attacks)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Lung transplant recipients

Cardiovascular disorders

• Chronic heart failure or ventricular dysfunction
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Congenital heart defects or disease
• Aneurysms
• Arrhythmias (recurrent)
• Heart transplant recipients

Digestive disorders

• Chronic liver disease (including cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Short bowel syndrome
• Gastrointestinal hemorrhaging (requiring blood transfusions)

Genitourinary disorders

• Chronic kidney disease
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Renal osteodystrophy
• Anorexia

Hematological disorders

• Sickle cell disease
• Hemophilia
• Hemolytic anemia

Skin disorders

• Severe burns
• Bullous disease
• Dermatitis
• Psoriasis

Endocrine disorders

• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Pituitary gland disorders
• Adrenal gland disorders
• Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia

Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems

• Non-mosaic Down syndrome

Neurological disorders

• Epilepsy (frequent seizures)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Stroke-related impairments
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Myasthenia gravis

Mental disorders

• Depression (severe and chronic)
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders
• Personality and impulse-control disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (severe)
• Intellectual disability

Cancer

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Skin cancer
• Brain cancer
• Liver cancer
• Spinal cord cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Large intestine/colon cancer

Immune disorders

• HIV/AIDS
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Scleroderma

How Woods & Woods can help

Having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your peace of mind. At Woods & Woods, we help individuals with disabilities connect with legal help. If you’re seeking SSDI benefits, call us today for a free case evaluation.