Conditions That Commonly Qualify for Disability Benefits

The SSA maintains a list called the Listing of Impairments (also known as the “Blue Book”), which includes medical conditions that may qualify for benefits if they meet specific criteria. Conditions fall into the following general categories:

Musculoskeletal Disorders

These affect bones, joints, and muscles, and include:

• Chronic back pain due to disc problems
• Degenerative disc disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Amputations

Cardiovascular Conditions

Serious heart issues that may qualify include:

• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Recurrent arrhythmias

Neurological Disorders

Disorders of the brain and nervous system can include:

• Epilepsy (frequent seizures despite treatment)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Mental Health Conditions

Mental illnesses can also qualify for benefits if they significantly limit daily functioning, including:

• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety disorders

Respiratory Disorders

Conditions that impair breathing include:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma (severe and persistent)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pulmonary hypertension

Immune System Disorders

Some autoimmune diseases that may qualify:

• Lupus
• HIV/AIDS (with complications)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriasis (severe cases)

Digestive Disorders

Conditions like:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Crohn’s disease
• Liver disease
• Chronic pancreatitis

Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)

Certain cancers qualify immediately (especially if aggressive or late-stage), including:

• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Leukemia
• Pancreatic cancer
• Brain cancer

Endocrine Disorders

These include:

• Diabetes (with severe complications)
• Thyroid disorders
• Pituitary gland disorders

Other Conditions

There are many other medical issues that can qualify if they significantly impair your ability to work, such as:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia (when well-documented)
• Vision or hearing loss

What If Your Condition Isn’t Listed?

Even if your exact condition isn’t in the Blue Book, you may still qualify for disability benefits. The SSA will evaluate whether your condition is “medically equivalent” to a listed impairment or if it prevents you from working for at least 12 consecutive months.



You’ll need strong medical documentation and evidence showing how your condition affects your daily life and work ability.