Is your condition a qualifying disability?
Your condition can meet or equal a listing in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book, in which case approval is essentially automatic — or you can win a medical-vocational allowance, where SSA weighs what you can still do against your age, education, and work history. Browse the 51 conditions below for the SSA listing that applies, the documentation that matters, and what to do if you are denied. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Two paths to SSDI approval: meeting a listing or medical-vocational allowance.
The Social Security Administration uses a “Blue Book” — the official Listing of Impairments — to evaluate disability claims. If your condition meets or equals a listing’s specific criteria, approval is essentially automatic. That’s Path 1: meeting a listing.
Many conditions don’t have a specific Blue Book listing, or the claimant’s symptoms don’t quite meet one. In those cases, SSA evaluates whether your residual functional capacity — combined with your age, education, and work history — prevents you from doing your past work or any other work in the national economy. That’s Path 2: medical-vocational allowance.
Most successful SSDI claims combine both paths in some way. Our New York attorneys know which path each condition typically takes and how to build the record accordingly.
Browse SSDI-qualifying conditions.
Click any condition for a detailed page covering its SSA listing, documentation needs, and how to qualify.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Severe adult ADHD impairs sustained attention, working memory, impulse control, and the ability to organize and complete tasks.
See how it qualifiesAlzheimer’s & Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias cause progressive cognitive decline affecting memory, judgment, and ability to perform tasks.
See how it qualifiesAmputation
Amputations may qualify automatically depending on the anatomy affected (e.g., one upper extremity at or above the elbow plus inability to use one or both lower extremities).
See how it qualifiesAnxiety Disorders
Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and OCD can be disabling when symptoms prevent leaving home, sustaining attention, or interacting with others.
See how it qualifiesAsthma (Severe / Uncontrolled)
Severe asthma with frequent exacerbations requiring hospitalization, particularly when triggered by common workplace environmental factors.
See how it qualifiesAutism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder in adults can support an SSDI claim when symptoms severely impair social interaction, communication, or the ability to handle workplace change.
See how it qualifiesBack Disorders & Disc Disease
Back pain from herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and lumbar / cervical radiculopathy is one of the most common SSDI claim types.
See how it qualifiesBipolar Disorder
Bipolar I and II involve cycles of mania (or hypomania) and depression that can severely disrupt work and personal life.
See how it qualifiesBreast Cancer
Breast cancer qualifies for SSDI based on stage, treatment, and recurrence status. Metastatic breast cancer typically qualifies automatically.
See how it qualifiesCancer (Various)
Many cancers automatically meet SSA listings. SSA’s Compassionate Allowances list expedites approvals for aggressive or terminal cancers.
See how it qualifiesCarpal Tunnel Syndrome (Severe)
Severe bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome that has not responded to surgery can be disabling when combined with other conditions.
See how it qualifiesCerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive neuromotor disorder caused by brain injury before or during birth. Adult CP often involves accelerated joint and muscle degeneration.
See how it qualifiesChronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) involves profound fatigue not relieved by rest, post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment, and unrefreshing sleep.
See how it qualifiesCongestive Heart Failure
Heart failure where the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention.
See how it qualifiesCOPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Severe COPD causes constant shortness of breath, oxygen dependence, and frequent exacerbations.
See how it qualifiesCrohn’s Disease & Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Chronic inflammation of the GI tract causing pain, diarrhea, malnutrition, and complications including obstruction, fistulae, and surgery.
See how it qualifiesDepression (Major Depressive Disorder)
Major depressive disorder is among the fastest-growing SSDI categories. Severe depression impairs concentration, motivation, social interaction, and the ability to maintain a work schedule.
See how it qualifiesDiabetes (with Complications)
Diabetes itself does not have an SSA listing. Disability arises from complications: neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease.
See how it qualifiesDiverticulitis (Severe / Recurrent)
Severe or recurrent diverticulitis with complications including bowel perforation, fistulae, or abscess may qualify for SSDI when surgery and ongoing symptoms preclude work.
See how it qualifiesEndometriosis (Severe)
Severe endometriosis with chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and adhesions can be disabling when symptoms preclude consistent work.
See how it qualifiesEpilepsy & Seizure Disorders
Epilepsy with recurrent seizures despite medication often qualifies for SSDI. Both generalized and focal seizure disorders may qualify.
See how it qualifiesFibromyalgia
A chronic pain syndrome causing widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbance (“fibro fog”), and sleep dysfunction — without obvious tissue damage.
See how it qualifiesHearing Loss
Severe-to-profound hearing loss, including cases that cannot be sufficiently corrected with hearing aids.
See how it qualifiesHeart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
Coronary artery disease, prior heart attacks, and angina that limit physical exertion and require ongoing cardiac medication.
See how it qualifiesHepatitis C (Chronic)
Chronic hepatitis C, particularly when it has progressed to cirrhosis or caused extrahepatic manifestations, can qualify for SSDI.
See how it qualifiesHIV / AIDS
HIV qualifies for SSDI when it has progressed to AIDS or caused complications despite antiretroviral therapy.
See how it qualifiesHypertension (Severe / Uncontrolled)
Severe or uncontrolled hypertension qualifies for SSDI when it has caused damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, or brain.
See how it qualifiesKidney Disease (Chronic)
Chronic kidney disease, particularly stage 4-5 CKD or end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, qualifies for SSDI.
See how it qualifiesLeukemia & Lymphoma
Blood cancers including acute leukemias, chronic leukemias (CML, CLL), and lymphomas (Hodgkin, NHL).
See how it qualifiesLiver Disease & Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis from any cause (alcohol, hepatitis, NAFLD/NASH, autoimmune) with complications can qualify for SSDI.
See how it qualifiesLong COVID
Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) — persistent fatigue, brain fog, dyspnea, and autonomic dysfunction lasting months or years after infection.
See how it qualifiesLung Cancer
Lung cancer (especially small cell) qualifies for SSDI under expedited Compassionate Allowance protocols. Non-small cell lung cancer per stage and treatment response.
See how it qualifiesLupus (SLE)
A chronic autoimmune disease that can affect joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain — with unpredictable flares.
See how it qualifiesLyme Disease (Chronic / Post-Treatment)
Chronic or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome can cause persistent neurological, musculoskeletal, and cognitive symptoms after acute infection.
See how it qualifiesMigraine Headaches (Chronic)
Chronic migraines (15+ headache days per month, with 8+ migraine days) can be disabling when individual episodes incapacitate the claimant for hours or days.
See how it qualifiesMultiple Sclerosis (MS)
A chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system causing varied neurological deficits — motor, sensory, visual, cognitive — that progress unpredictably.
See how it qualifiesOsteoarthritis & Joint Replacement
Degenerative joint disease that wears away cartilage, causing pain, stiffness, and loss of function — most commonly in knees, hips, hands, and spine.
See how it qualifiesPancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is on the SSA Compassionate Allowances list. Approval is typically rapid.
See how it qualifiesParkinson’s Disease
A progressive neurological disorder causing tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and often cognitive decline.
See how it qualifiesPTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD develops after exposure to traumatic events and causes intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, hyperarousal, and altered cognition. Common in veterans, first responders, and assault survivors.
See how it qualifiesRheumatoid Arthritis
A chronic autoimmune disease causing inflammation, pain, swelling, and deformity in joints — typically symmetrical and progressive.
See how it qualifiesSchizophrenia & Schizoaffective Disorder
Severe psychotic disorders involving hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and reduced emotional expression.
See how it qualifiesSciatica & Radiculopathy
Pain, numbness, or weakness radiating from the lower back into the leg (sciatica) or from the neck into the arm (cervical radiculopathy) due to nerve root compression.
See how it qualifiesSickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell anemia causes painful crises, chronic anemia, and organ damage that often qualify for SSDI.
See how it qualifiesSleep Apnea (Severe)
Severe untreated or treatment-resistant sleep apnea causes daytime fatigue, cognitive impairment, and cardiovascular complications.
See how it qualifiesSpinal Cord Injury
Traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury causing paralysis, paresis, sensory loss, and autonomic dysfunction.
See how it qualifiesSpinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness — especially during prolonged standing or walking.
See how it qualifiesStroke (CVA) & Cerebrovascular Disease
Stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and resulting deficits in motor function, speech, cognition, or activities of daily living.
See how it qualifiesTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
TBI causes cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes that can persist or worsen. Severity ranges from mild concussion to severe disability.
See how it qualifiesUlcerative Colitis
Chronic inflammation of the colon causing bloody diarrhea, urgency, abdominal pain, and increased colon cancer risk.
See how it qualifiesVision Loss & Blindness
Legal blindness (20/200 or worse in better eye, or visual field of 20° or less) qualifies for SSDI under specific criteria.
See how it qualifiesOther ways we help
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Brian M. Mittman, Esq.
Managing Partner · Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
Call 866-205-2415 Schedule with Brian- Admitted in New York
- 30+ years in practice
- Attends Board hearings personally
Brian has personally handled New York workers' compensation, SSDI, and personal-injury cases for over three decades. Your case is never handed off to a paralegal.
- Admitted in New York and New Jersey
- Pace University School of Law, J.D.
- Litigates before the Workers' Compensation Board
Randy has litigated every type of claim before the Workers' Compensation Board on behalf of hundreds of claimants.
- Admitted in New York, 2008
- New York Law School, J.D. 2007
- With The Disability Guys since 2013
Benai has spent more than a decade fighting for injured workers before the Workers' Compensation Board and the New York State Employees' Retirement Board.
- Admitted in New York, 2007
- 20 years in practice
- Fluent in Spanish
Emily has spent two decades on New York workers' compensation and Social Security Disability matters, including service as an Agency Attorney and Hearing Officer for NYC Transit and the MTA.
- Admitted in New York, 2023
- Albany Law School, J.D. 2022
- Handles Third Department appeals
Lauren represents injured workers in Workers' Compensation matters and handles appeals before the Appellate Division, Third Department.
Don't see your condition? Call us.
The list above isn't exhaustive. If you're disabled and can't work, you may still qualify — even without a specific Blue Book listing. Free consultation.