There are hundreds of medical conditions recognized as disabling by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA uses a medical guide, which is called the Blue Book, to detail medical conditions and specific criteria that must be met for a claim to be approved. All the medical conditions in the Blue Book qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Here is a closer look at qualifying for disability benefits.
What Medical Conditions Are in The Blue Book?
The Blue Book has two parts. Part A applies to adults and Part B applies to children younger than 18 years of age. Here is a closer look at those sections.
Part A includes:
- 1.00 - Musculoskeletal System
- 2.00 - Special Senses and Speech
- 3.00 - Respiratory Disorders
- 4.00 - Cardiovascular System
- 5.00 - Digestive System
- 6.00 - Genitourinary Disorders
- 7.00 - Hematological Disorders
- 8.00 - Skin Disorders
- 9.00 - Endocrine Disorders
- 10.00 - Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
- 11.00 - Neurological Disorders
- 12.00 - Mental Disorders
- 13.00 - Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)
- 14.00 - Immune System Disorders
Part B includes:
Each condition has specific medical criteria that must be met. To support your claim, you must show solid medical evidence and supporting documentation. You have to provide documentation confirming the diagnosis, showing the treatment plan, and detailing your limitations and/or restrictions.
Any imaging reports, lab results, and exam notes can be beneficial to the success of your disability claim and are essential in confirming the extent of your condition.
Can My Medical Condition Qualify for Social Security Disability If It’s Not in The Blue Book?
If your medical condition is severe enough to keep you from working for at least 12 months, but it does not have a Blue Book listing, you may still qualify for disability benefits. You'll have to provide supporting evidence and documentation for your claim to show the severity of your condition.
Here are some things you might need in order to get disability benefits approved if there is not a Blue Book listing for your condition:
- Residual functional capacity (RFC) form completed by a treating physician detailing your limitations and restrictions
- Lots of hard medical evidence detailing your condition and how you are affected by it
- Proof that your condition is keeping you from working and earning a living
In Conclusion
If you are unable to work because of a medical condition, you should consult with a disability lawyer. According to SSA data, claimants who are represented by lawyers may have a higher chance of being approved for disability. To explain the details of your disability claim with an attorney who represents disabled workers, fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form.
