Understanding Social Security’s Blue Book of Disabilities

Living with a disabling condition is challenging enough without the added stress of navigating the Social Security Disability Insurance system. One of the key tools the Social Security Administration uses to evaluate claims is the Social Security Blue Book, a comprehensive guide that outlines which conditions qualify for disability benefits and the criteria each must meet.

Understanding how the SSDI Blue Book works can make a difference in the outcome of your claim. Knowing where your condition fits or what to do if it isn’t listed can help you prepare a stronger, more informed case. 

In this article, we’ll break down what the SSDI Blue Book is, how it’s used, and what your options are if your condition isn’t listed in it.

What is the SSDI Blue Book of disabilities?

The Social Security Blue Book, officially called the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, is a comprehensive guide used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to evaluate Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims. It lists a wide range of medical conditions and impairments that may qualify an individual as disabled under SSA guidelines.

How does the SSDI Blue Book work?

The Blue Book consists of two parts: the Adult Listings (Part A) and the Childhood Listings (Part B). Each part contains listings for the major body systems. 

Every listing details various medical conditions that could affect a person’s ability to work or do daily tasks, such as taking care of themselves. Each one includes:

• Specific criteria for a medical condition to meet or equal a listing
• Severity of the condition that would qualify a person as disabled 
• Duration of the condition must meet a certain requirement, showing that it will last for at least 12 months or result in death

The Social Security Blue Book outlines a wide range of disabling conditions for both adults and children. The SSA divides the Blue Book into 14 sections for adult impairments and 15 for childhood impairments.

1.00 Musculoskeletal system

The SSA lists musculoskeletal disorders, conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues, under Section 1.00 of the SSDI Blue Book. These often painful conditions account for about 31.4% of all SSDI approvals, according to the SSA’s 2023 Annual Report.

If you experience chronic pain or restricted mobility that makes it difficult, or even impossible, to perform everyday activities like walking, standing, sitting, or lifting objects, you may qualify for disability benefits under this category.

2.00 Special senses and speech

Section 2.00 of the Social Security Blue Book of disabilities covers sensory and speech disorders, which include conditions such as blindness and deafness.

3.00 Respiratory disorders

Approximately 4% of all SSDI beneficiaries receive benefits due to a respiratory condition. If you have a respiratory condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or cystic fibrosis, you may qualify for disability benefits under Section 3.00 of the Social Security Blue Book if your condition significantly limits your ability to work.

4.00 Cardiovascular system

In 2023, approximately 9.9% of all approved SSDI claims were based on cardiovascular conditions. These conditions, located in Section 4.00 of the Social Security Blue Book, cover conditions that affect the function of the heart and circulatory system.

Some cardiovascular conditions that may qualify you for SSDI benefits include chronic heart failure, ventricular dysfunction, and pulmonary vascular disease, among others.

5.00 Digestive disorders

The SSA covers digestive disorders under Section 5.00 of the SSDI Blue Book, and these conditions make up about 2.1% of all SSDI claims. You may qualify for disability benefits if your symptoms are severe, difficult to manage, and significantly interfere with your ability to work.

Examples of qualifying digestive disorders include conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal failure, and chronic liver disease.

6.00 Genitourinary disorders

The SSA includes genitourinary disorders under Section 6.00 of the SSDI Blue Book, and these conditions account for about 3.6% of all SSDI claims. These conditions typically involve chronic kidney disease or other severe impairments of kidney function.

7.00 Hematological disorders

Section 7.00 of the Social Security Blue Book of disabilities covers hematological disorders, which are conditions that affect the blood and organs responsible for producing blood. The SSA evaluates both non-cancerous disorders, such as hemolytic anemias and bone marrow failure syndromes, and cancerous conditions like lymphoma and leukemia.

Although hematological disorders account for only about 0.3% of all SSDI claims, those with severe cases of these conditions may still qualify for benefits.

8.00 Skin disorders

Skin disorders also represent a small category of SSDI claims, making up just 0.2% of all SSDI claims. The SSA evaluates these conditions for disability benefits under Section 8.00 of the SSDI Blue Book. The SSA evaluates skin conditions that result from hereditary, congenital, or acquired pathological processes.

Some qualifying skin conditions may include genetic photosensitivity disorders, severe burns, and chronic diseases that affect the skin or mucous membranes.

9.00 Endocrine disorders

The SSA evaluates endocrine disorders under Section 9.00 of the Social Security Blue Book, and these conditions account for about 1.8% of all SSDI claims.

Because endocrine disorders often have broad effects and affect multiple systems in the body, the SSA may evaluate certain endocrine conditions under other relevant listings, such as neurological, cardiovascular, or digestive system impairments.

10.00 Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems

Section 10.00 of the SSDI Blue Book covers congenital disorders, which are conditions present at or before birth and typically affect multiple systems in the body.

The SSA primarily uses this section to evaluate non-mosaic Down syndrome, a genetic disorder in which an individual has three copies of chromosome 21 in all their cells. Due to the severity and widespread impact of this condition, individuals with non-mosaic Down syndrome often meet the criteria for disability benefits automatically from birth.

11.00 Neurological disorders

The SSA evaluates neurological disorders under Section 11.00 of the Social Security Blue Book, and these conditions accounted for about 10% of all SSDI claims.

While the exact criteria vary depending on the specific diagnosis, you may qualify for disability benefits if you have a documented neurological condition such as epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), persistent vegetative state (PVS), coma, or Huntington’s disease.

12.00 Mental disorders

The SSA evaluates mental disorders under Section 12.00 of the SSDI Blue Book and accounts for approximately 18.1% of all SSDI claims. These conditions encompass a wide range of diagnoses, including neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenia, depressive disorders, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

While mental health conditions make up a significant portion of disability claims, obtaining approval can sometimes be challenging. This is often due to the subjective nature of symptoms, the variability in how conditions affect individuals, and, in some cases, lingering stigma that may influence how claims are evaluated.

13.00 Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases)

A cancer diagnosis may qualify you for disability benefits under Section 13.00 of the SSDI Blue Book. The Compassionate Allowances Program (CAL) may expedite approval for some types of cancer, especially advanced or aggressive cases, including any cancer diagnosed at Stage 4.  

14.00 Immune system disorders

The SSA evaluates immune system disorders under Section 14.00 of the SSDI Blue Book, covering conditions like lupus, HIV/AIDS, and inflammatory arthritis.

The SSA classifies immune system disorders into three main categories:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Immune deficiency disorders (excluding HIV)
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Because these conditions can affect multiple body systems and vary in severity, the specific criteria for disability benefits differ depending on the diagnosis.

Childhood listings

Part B of the SSA’s Blue Book of disabilities outlines medical conditions and impairments specifically for children under the age of 18. The criteria adjust to reflect how these conditions affect children’s growth, development, and daily functioning, even though the categories generally mirror those in the adult listings (Part A).

What if my condition isn’t in the SSDI Blue Book?

Many people have disabling conditions not listed in the SSDI Blue Book, but the SSA still may approve them for SSDI benefits. You can still apply. However, you’ll need strong medical evidence showing your condition is as severe as a listed impairment.

The SSA will also evaluate your residual functional capacity (RFC), which measures how much you can do physically and mentally in a work setting despite your limitations.

If your condition isn’t in the Blue Book, working with a disability lawyer can improve your chances of a successful claim.

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.