Which condition are you claiming?

SSA describes each condition in a "Blue Book listing." Pick the one you plan to claim, and we'll check your records against exactly what that listing asks for. We only check the condition you choose — we never suggest others.

Search conditions

Use everyday words — "back pain," "panic attacks," "heart failure" — or a listing number like 1.15.

Or browse every condition we cover, organized the way SSA organizes them:

1.00 Musculoskeletal Disorders - Adult

Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s) — Listing 1.15This listing covers spine problems (like a herniated disc, arthritis of the spine, slipped vertebrae, degenerative disc disease, or a spinal fracture) that press on a nerve root coming out of the spine. SSA needs four things, all documented in your medical records at close to the same time: (A) symptoms like pain, tingling, or muscle fatigue that follow the path of the affected nerve; (B) exam or test findings of nerve trouble, including muscle weakness; (C) imaging (like an MRI) showing the nerve root is being compressed; and (D) proof that the condition seriously limits how you walk or use your arms — for example, you medically need a walker, two canes, or a wheelchair.
Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in compromise of the cauda equina — Listing 1.16This listing covers narrowing of the lower (lumbar) spinal canal that squeezes the cauda equina — the bundle of nerve roots at the bottom of the spinal cord. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness that make standing and walking hard (neurogenic claudication). SSA needs four things documented close together in time: (A) symptoms like non-radiating leg pain, sensory loss, or neurogenic claudication; (B) exam or test findings including muscle weakness plus sensory changes or reduced reflexes; (C) imaging or a surgery report confirming cauda equina compromise from lumbar stenosis; and (D) proof you medically need a walker, two canes/crutches, or a wheelchair, or you can't use one arm and need a cane that ties up your other arm.
Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint — Listing 1.17This listing covers people who have had reconstructive surgery (like a joint replacement or salvage procedure) or surgical fusion (arthrodesis) of a major weight-bearing joint — the hip, knee, or ankle-foot. SSA needs three things: (A) medical proof of the surgery, (B) a physical limitation lasting at least 12 months, and (C) a documented medical need for a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a wheelchair that requires both hands.
Abnormality of a major joint(s) in any extremity — Listing 1.18This listing covers serious problems in major joints of the arms or legs — shoulder, elbow, wrist-hand, hip, knee, or ankle-foot — from conditions like osteoarthritis, chronic joint infections, or joint fusion. SSA needs four things documented close together in time: (A) chronic joint pain or stiffness; (B) abnormal motion, instability, or immobility of the joint; (C) a physical or imaging finding of a structural abnormality (like joint space narrowing or contracture); and (D) proof of a serious functional limitation lasting at least 12 months, such as a medical need for a walker, two canes, or a wheelchair, or being unable to use one or both arms for work tasks.
Pathologic fractures due to any cause — Listing 1.19This listing covers fractures that happen because a disease has weakened your bones — for example, osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, other skeletal dysplasias, medication side effects, or endocrine disorders. SSA needs (A) three pathologic fractures that happened on three separate occasions within a 12-month period (they can affect the same bone more than once, but not all at the same time), and (B) a serious functional limitation lasting at least 12 months, such as a documented medical need for a walker, two canes, or a wheelchair, or being unable to use one or both arms for work tasks. Fractures caused by cancer are evaluated under the cancer listings (13.00), and traumatic non-healing fractures under 1.22 or 1.23.
Amputation due to any cause — Listing 1.20This listing covers amputations from any cause — trauma, birth conditions, surgery for cancer or infection, or complications of vascular disease or diabetes. There are four separate ways (A, B, C, or D) to meet it; you only need one: (A) both arms amputated at or above the wrists; (B) hemipelvectomy or hip disarticulation (loss of an entire leg through the pelvis or hip); (C) one arm amputated at or above the wrist AND one leg at or above the ankle, plus a documented need for a mobility device or inability to use the remaining arm; or (D) one or both legs amputated at or above the ankle with residual limb complications lasting at least 12 months, an inability to use a prosthesis, and a documented medical need for a walker, two canes/crutches, or a two-handed wheelchair. For A and B, the amputation itself automatically satisfies the duration requirement.
Soft tissue injury or abnormality under continuing surgical management — Listing 1.21This listing covers soft tissue injuries or abnormalities — such as severe (third- and fourth-degree) burns, crush injuries, craniofacial injuries, malformations, avulsive injuries, or amputations with residual limb complications — that require ongoing surgeries and related treatment to restore function. SSA needs three things: (A) proof that surgical management is continuing and aimed at saving, reconstructing, or replacing the affected body part; (B) proof that the surgical management has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months from the first surgery; and (C) proof you have not yet gotten the maximum benefit from therapy. The functional criteria used in other listings do not apply here.
Non-healing or complex fracture of the femur, tibia, pelvis, or one or more of the talocrural bones — Listing 1.22This listing covers fractures of the thigh bone (femur), shin bone (tibia), pelvis, or ankle-area (talocrural) bones that either won't heal (nonunion) or are complex (badly shattered, with bone loss, soft tissue damage, cartilage damage, or joint dislocation). SSA needs three things: (A) imaging and clinical evidence that the bone has not solidly healed; (B) a physical limitation lasting at least 12 months; and (C) a documented medical need for a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a two-handed wheelchair. A nonunion is usually established when at least 9 months have passed since the injury and the fracture has shown no or minimal healing for at least 3 months.
Non-healing or complex fracture of an upper extremity — Listing 1.23This listing covers fractures of the arm bones — the humerus (upper arm), radius, or ulna (forearm) — that either won't heal (nonunion) or are complex (badly shattered, with bone loss, soft tissue damage, cartilage damage, or joint dislocation), and that are still under ongoing surgical care. SSA needs two things: (A) a nonunion or complex fracture of the shaft of one of these bones under continuing surgical management aimed at restoring use of the arm; and (B) medical documentation that you can't use the arm for work tasks involving fine and gross movements, lasting or expected to last at least 12 months.

10.00 Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems

Non-mosaic Down syndrome (chromosome 21 trisomy or chromosome 21 translocation) — Listing 10.06This listing covers non-mosaic Down syndrome, a genetic disorder where a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21 in all of their cells. People with this condition have characteristic facial or physical features, delayed physical development, and intellectual disability. If you have non-mosaic Down syndrome documented the way SSA requires, SSA considers you disabled from birth. There are three ways to prove it: a karyotype lab test (A), a doctor's report referring to a prior karyotype test plus the physical features (B), or a doctor's report describing the physical features plus evidence that your day-to-day functioning matches the diagnosis (C). You only need to meet ONE of the three paths — A, B, or C. Note: SSA evaluates only the non-mosaic form here; mosaic Down syndrome is evaluated under the body systems it affects.

11.00 Neurological

12.00 Mental Disorders

13.00 Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)

2.00 Special Senses and Speech

3.00 Respiratory Disorders - Adult

4.00 Cardiovascular

5.00 Digestive Disorders

6.00 Genitourinary Disorders

7.00 Hematological Disorders

8.00 Skin Disorders

Immune System

My condition isn't listed

ClaimReady covers a growing set of SSA Blue Book listings, but not all of them yet. If your condition is not here, that says nothing about your claim — SSA also approves claims for conditions that "equal" a listing, or through a separate review of what work you can still do.

A disability advocate or attorney can look at your situation properly. Many charge nothing up front and are only paid if you win. The same is true if you have more than one condition — SSA can consider them together, and a person handles that best.

See how to get help from a person

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