Social Security Disability’s Listings: What Conditions Are Covered?

The Social Security Administration has 14 categories (referred to as the “Listings of Impairments” or simply “Listings”) of different kinds of impairments that are “considered severe enough to prevent an individual from doing any gainful activity.” Each of the listed impairments are permanent or expected to result in death, or the listing includes a specific statement of duration. Of those 14 categories, 13 are related to the body’s systems, and one is related to a person’s mental health.

While having a condition on the list of impairments does not necessarily guarantee that you can or will be able to collect Social Security Disability benefits, it is usually easier to make a successful claim if you have one or more of those conditions. The categories of physical impairments, as well as some of their more well-known conditions, are:

1. Musculoskeletal System: includes chronic joint pain/disorders and spinal disorders
2. Special Senses and Speech: includes vision and hearing loss in various degrees, related to various reasons
3. Respiratory System: includes cystic fibrosis, chronic lung infections and recipients of lung transplants
4. Cardiovascular System: includes chronic heart failure or disease, such as congenital heart disease, and heart transplant recipients
5. Digestive System: includes chronic liver disease and transplant recipients, as well as chronic conditions related to the bowel
6. Genitourinary Disorders: includes chronic conditions and diseases related to the kidneys
7. Hematological Disorders: includes disorders of the bone marrow, complications related to stem cell transplants, and conditions like sickle cell
8. Skin Disorders: also includes burns, as well as persistent skin lesions and genetic photosensitivity disorders, the most well-known of which is Xeroderma pigmentosum, or XP
9. Endocrine Disorders: includes only glandular disorders, such as those affecting the pituitary or thyroid
10. Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems: the only listing under this category is Down syndrome
11. Neurological: includes brain tumors, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis
12. Cancer: includes all malignant neoplastic diseases except those associated with HIV
13. Immune System Disorders: includes lupus and HIV

With the exception of number 10, all of the above categories contain more than one condition, disease or disorder, so it is a smart idea to check the listings if you do not see your condition listed above.

The SSA also recognizes one category of impairments for mental disorders. They include nine subcategories of conditions, illnesses and injuries related to the brain itself, personality and mood:

• Organic mental disorders
• Schizophrenic, paranoid and other psychotic disorders
• Affective disorders
• Intellectual disability
• Anxiety-related disorders
• Somatoform disorders
• Personality disorders
• Substance addiction disorders
• Autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders

The listings are very difficult to meet, and generally a person will not meet them because while they have the condition described, they do not have all of the symptoms necessary to meet the listing. This is why it is important to have any attorney who can argue that while a condition may not meet the listing it is essentially equal to the listing in terms of the severity of symptoms.

The process of filing for SSD benefits can be challenging, and many meritorious claims are denied. That is why it is important that you enlist the services of a professional with experience in this area. Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. has spent the last 35 years helping injured people obtain the benefits they need to survive. To make a consultation time with a dedicated Maryland Social Security Disability lawyer, please contact us.