Social Security Disability Conditions

Which Conditions Qualify for Disability

Do I Qualify?

Fighting for the Benefits You Deserve

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of Satisfied Clients

When a medical condition prevents you from working, understanding whether you qualify for Social Security disability benefits can feel overwhelming.

At Keller & Keller, we’ve been helping disabled Americans navigate the Social Security Administration’s complex qualifying conditions since 1936. Our experienced disability attorneys know which medical conditions qualify for SSD benefits and how to build the strongest possible case for your approval.


The Social Security Administration maintains a detailed listing of impairments—commonly called the Blue Bo ok—that outlines specific medical conditions and the medical evidence required to prove disability. However, even if your condition isn’t specifically listed, you may still qualify for disability benefits if your medical condition prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity.

Understanding 
the Social Security Blue Book

What Is the Blue Book?

The Blue Book is the Social Security Administration’s official guide to qualifying medical conditions. It’s divided into two sections—one for adults and one for children—and lists a wide range of impairments grouped by body systems, including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, mental, immune system disorders, and more.

How Conditions Are Evaluated

Each listed condition includes strict medical criteria that must be met in order to qualify for disability benefits. These criteria are based on how the condition affects your ability to function, and whether it meets the SSA’s threshold for severity.

More Than Just a Diagnosis

Having a diagnosis isn’t enough. The SSA requires detailed medical evidence—such as clinical notes, lab results, and imaging studies—from your treating physicians. Your documentation must prove that your condition meets or equals the criteria in the Blue Book.

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Medical Conditions That Qualify for Social Security Disability

While the Blue Book contains hundreds of qualifying conditions, some of the most common medical conditions we help clients with include:

Physical Disabilities

Back and neck injuries, cancer, heart conditions, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, respiratory conditions, kidney disease, neurological disorders, and more.

Mental Health Conditions

Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, OCD, and other mental health conditions that prevent you from maintaining employment.

What If Your Condition Isn’t Listed in the Blue Book?

Not Being Listed Doesn’t Mean You’re Ineligible

Just because your condition isn’t listed in the Social Security Blue Book doesn’t mean you’re disqualified. The SSA uses a five-step process to evaluate disability. If your condition doesn’t meet a listed impairment, they’ll assess your residual functional capacity—what you can still do despite your limitations.

You May Still Qualify Based on Functionality

Even without a listed condition, you can receive benefits if your symptoms—alone or in combination—prevent you from doing any substantial work. The SSA looks at how your condition affects your ability to perform daily activities or hold a job, not just the name of the diagnosis.

Legal Guidance Makes the Difference

This is where having an experienced disability attorney is critical. We know how to present the right medical evidence to prove your limitations. Our team builds a strong case showing how your unique set of symptoms keeps you from working—and why you deserve benefits.

Find Out If You Qualify Today

Medical Evidence Required for Your Disability Claim

The Social Security Administration needs detailed records from your treating physicians, including:

  • Complete medical history and examination findings
  • Laboratory test results and imaging studies
  • Treatment records showing prescribed treatments and your response
  • Functional assessments describing your limitations
  • Mental health evaluations for psychological conditions
  • Hospital records for serious conditions requiring inpatient treatment
  • Statements from your doctors about your long-term prognosis

Proving your medical condition qualifies for SSD benefits requires comprehensive medical documentation. The quality and completeness of your medical evidence often determines whether your disability claim is approved or denied. Our disability lawyers work directly with your healthcare providers to obtain the specific documentation the SSA requires, ensuring nothing important is missing from your application.

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Navigating SSDI

Support for Every Step of Your Claim 

The Compassionate Allowance Program

The Compassionate Allowance program identifies medical conditions that obviously meet Social Security disability standards, allowing for fast-track approval—often within days or weeks rather than months. This program covers certain cancers, rare genetic disorders, severe neurological conditions, and other obviously disabling medical conditions.


If you have a condition on the compassionate allowance list, it’s crucial to work with experienced disability lawyers who can ensure your application is properly flagged for expedited processing. Even with these serious conditions, inadequate medical documentation can cause delays or denials.

Workers Compensation & Social Security Disability

Some people with qualifying conditions may be eligible for both workers compensation and Social Security disability benefits. If your medical condition resulted from a workplace injury or illness, you might receive both types of benefits, though there are offset rules that may reduce your total monthly payment. Our attorneys can help you navigate these complex situations and maximize your total benefits.

How Keller & Keller Helps with Medical Condition Cases

Our Social Security Disability lawyers have helped thousands of clients with various medical conditions secure the SSD benefits they deserve. We understand the specific medical evidence required for different qualifying conditions, and we know how to present your case effectively whether your condition is listed in the Blue Book or requires a functional capacity assessment.


We work with your treating physicians to obtain comprehensive medical records, arrange for additional testing when necessary, and ensure all medical documentation clearly demonstrates how your condition prevents you from working. If your condition qualifies for the Compassionate Allowance program, we ensure your application receives expedited processing.

Our Full-Service Approach to Social Security Disability Claims

At Keller & Keller, we provide comprehensive, start-to-finish representation throughout the entire disability process—ensuring you’re supported every step of the way.

1
Application

Application

We help you complete your initial Social Security claim correctly the first time, gathering all necessary medical documentation and ensuring your application clearly demonstrates how your medical condition prevents you from working. We work with your doctors to obtain detailed statements about your limitations and prescribed treatments.

2
Denials & Appeals

Denials & Appeals

 If your initial application is denied—which happens in the majority of cases—we immediately file a request for reconsideration. We review why your claim was denied, obtain additional medical evidence if needed, and submit a comprehensive appeal that addresses the specific reasons for denial.

3
Administrative Hearings

Administrative Hearings

If your reconsideration is denied, we represent you at your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is often the most critical stage of the disability process. Our attorneys prepare you thoroughly for your hearing, help you understand what questions to expect, and present compelling testimony and medical evidence to the judge.

4
Federal Appeals

Federal Appeals

If necessary, we take your case to Federal District Court. While most cases are resolved at the hearing level, our attorneys have the experience and resources to pursue federal appeals when the Administrative Law Judge’s decision was legally flawed.

5
Federal Courts

Federal Courts

We can represent you at the Appeals Council level and even in federal appellate courts if your case requires it. Our commitment to full-service representation means we’re with you until your case is won.

Based on medical conditions

Common Mistakes When Applying for Disability

Many people make critical errors when applying for Social Security disability benefits

Insufficient Medical Evidence

The SSA expects you to follow prescribed treatments for your medical condition. If you’re not receiving regular treatment, the SSA may assume your condition isn’t as severe as claimed.

Inadequate Medical Documentation

Simply listing your diagnoses isn’t enough. You need detailed medical records from treating physicians showing the severity of your condition and how it limits your functioning.

Waiting Too Long to Apply

Don’t wait until your condition becomes completely debilitating before filing for disability benefits. There’s a five-month waiting period before SSD benefits begin, and the application process takes additional time.

Not Explaining How Your Condition Affects Daily Life

The SSA needs to understand how your medical condition impacts your ability to work and perform daily activities. General statements aren’t enough—specific examples of your limitations are crucial.

Attempting the Process Without Legal Help

With 65% of initial disability claims denied, having experienced disability attorneys significantly improves your chances of approval.

Don’t Give Up

Get Help from Experienced Attorneys

The biggest mistake you can make when dealing with Social Security disability is giving up. Most applicants are denied the first time, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve benefits—it means the system is difficult to navigate without professional help. With the right social security disability attorney fighting for you, you can overcome that denial and win the benefits you need.

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Start Strong

We’ll review your medical condition, assess your work history, and give you honest advice about your case.

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Our team gathers evidence, strengthens your claim, and advocates for the benefits you deserve.

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We believe everyone deserves quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we work on a contingency basis—you pay absolutely nothing unless and until we win your case. No upfront costs, no hidden fees, no financial risk to you.

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No retainer fees or hourly billing
We cover all case expenses upfront
You only pay when we recover money for you

Frequently Asked Questions

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