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Listing 11.18

Traumatic brain injury

This listing covers traumatic brain injury (TBI) — brain damage from a skull fracture, a closed head injury, or an object penetrating the skull.

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SSA looks for extreme trouble moving two limbs, or marked limits in physical plus mental functioning, persisting for at least 3 months after the injury. SSA generally needs evidence from at least 3 months (and sometimes 6 months) post-injury. TBI resulting in coma or vegetative state is evaluated under 11.20.

Read Listing 11.18 on ssa.gov

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What Listing 11.18 asks for

What SSA looks for — see the 2 items

We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.

    • Your brain injury left you with extreme trouble using two limbs — you can't stand up from sitting, keep your balance, or use your arms and hands for work tasks without help from a person or an assistive device — lasting at least 3 months after the injury.
    • Only one of paths A or B is needed.
    Read the original wording

    Your brain injury left you with extreme trouble using two limbs — you can't stand up from sitting, keep your balance, or use your arms and hands for work tasks without help from a person or an assistive device — lasting at least 3 months after the injury. Only one of paths A or B is needed.

    (Listing 11.18, criterion A)

    • Your brain injury causes a serious (marked) limit in physical functioning AND a marked limit in at least one area of mental functioning, both lasting at least 3 months after the injury.
    • Only one path is needed.
    Read the original wording

    Your brain injury causes a serious (marked) limit in physical functioning AND a marked limit in at least one area of mental functioning, both lasting at least 3 months after the injury. Only one path is needed.

    (Listing 11.18, criterion B)

How long it must last:

The limitation must persist for at least 3 consecutive months after the injury; SSA generally needs evidence from at least 3 months (sometimes 6 months) post-TBI, and the impairment must be expected to last at least 12 months overall.