Conditions That Qualify for Disability

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of connective tissue disorders causing joint hypermobility, chronic pain, and multi-system complications. SSA does not have a dedicated listing for EDS, so claims are evaluated based on how your specific symptoms limit your ability to work across affected body systems.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates HIV/AIDS claims under Blue Book Listing 14.11, which covers HIV infection as an immune system disorder. To be considered disabled under this listing, your medical records must include proper documentation of your HIV diagnosis as described in SSA's guidelines, along with at least one additional qualifying condition or complication specified in the listing criteria.

Immune deficiency disorders (excluding HIV infection) are conditions where the immune system does not work properly, leaving the body unable to fight off infections and illnesses effectively. SSA evaluates these disorders under Listing 14.07 of the Blue Book, which falls under the immune system category. To qualify for disability benefits, your condition must meet the specific criteria described under section 14.00E of SSA's guidelines, which outlines how immune deficiency disorders are assessed based on their severity and impact on your ability to function.

Long COVID (Post-COVID Condition) causes lasting symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and breathing problems that can prevent people from working. Because SSA has no dedicated listing for long COVID, claims are evaluated based on how your symptoms affect multiple body systems and your overall ability to sustain work activity.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly called lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue throughout the body. It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and blood cells, often causing flares of symptoms followed by periods of remission. SSA evaluates lupus under Blue Book Listing 14.02, looking at how the disease and its symptoms limit your ability to function in work-related activities. Because lupus affects so many body systems, SSA considers the full picture of your medical history and documented functional limitations.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can cause lasting joint pain, nerve damage, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. SSA does not have a dedicated listing for Lyme disease, but evaluates claims based on how your symptoms affect your joints, nervous system, and ability to sustain work.

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is an autoimmune disorder that shares features of lupus, scleroderma, and other connective tissue diseases. SSA evaluates how severely your symptoms — such as joint pain, organ involvement, and fatigue — limit your ability to function and work.

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are inflammatory diseases that cause muscle weakness, pain, and in dermatomyositis, skin rashes. SSA evaluates how severely these conditions affect your ability to move, breathe, swallow, and perform daily activities when determining disability eligibility.

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the joints and skin that SSA evaluates under its inflammatory arthritis guidelines. SSA does not have a dedicated listing for psoriatic arthritis, but your claim can still be approved based on how severely your joint inflammation, damage, and functional limitations affect your ability to work.

Rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis are conditions where the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and sometimes damage to other organs. SSA evaluates these conditions under Blue Book Listing 14.09 (Inflammatory Arthritis), which falls under the immune system disorders category. To qualify, your medical records must show that your condition meets the specific clinical and functional requirements described under SSA's guidelines for inflammatory arthritis (14.00D6). SSA looks at how the disease affects your joints, mobility, and overall ability to function in daily life and work.

Scleroderma, also called systemic sclerosis, is an autoimmune disease that causes the body's connective tissue to harden and tighten. It can affect the skin, blood vessels, and internal organs. SSA evaluates scleroderma claims under Blue Book Listing 14.04, which looks at how the disease affects your body systems and whether your symptoms meet the specific functional and clinical criteria described in SSA's guidelines for systemic sclerosis.

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks moisture-producing glands, most commonly causing dry eyes and dry mouth, but it can also affect other organs and body systems. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates Sjögren's syndrome under Listing 14.10 of the Blue Book, which falls under the immune system disorders category. SSA reviews medical evidence to determine whether your symptoms and their impact on your functioning meet the specific criteria outlined under that listing. Because Sjögren's syndrome can vary widely in severity, the strength and completeness of your medical documentation plays a key role in how SSA assesses your claim.

Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels that can damage organs and tissues throughout the body. SSA evaluates systemic vasculitis under its immune system listings, looking at how the inflammation affects your organs, daily functioning, and ability to work.