1. SSA’s Listing of Impairments

The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, also called the Blue Book, which includes medical conditions that may automatically qualify for SSDI benefits if you meet specific criteria. These include:

• Musculoskeletal Disorders: Severe back injuries, degenerative disc disease, spinal disorders, joint dysfunctions, fractures with complications
• Respiratory Disorders: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma (severe), cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension
• Cardiovascular Disorders: Chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, recurrent arrhythmias
• Neurological Disorders: Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), peripheral neuropathy
• Mental Disorders: Depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders
• Digestive System Disorders: Crohn’s disease, liver disease, severe gastrointestinal hemorrhaging
• Genitourinary Disorders: Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplant
• Endocrine Disorders: Uncontrolled diabetes with severe complications
• Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases): Certain cancers automatically qualify if they are advanced, aggressive, or resistant to treatment
• Immune System Disorders: Lupus, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma
• Skin Disorders: Severe burns, chronic skin infections

2. Conditions Not Listed in the Blue Book

If your condition is not listed, you can still qualify for SSDI if:

• Your medical condition prevents you from performing any substantial gainful activity (SGA)
• Your condition is severe enough to limit basic work activities for at least 12 months
• SSA determines through a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment that you cannot do your past work or adjust to other work

For example, rare diseases or a combination of multiple moderate conditions that together prevent you from working may qualify under a medical-vocational allowance.

3. What Is Required to Prove a Qualifying Condition?

To qualify for SSDI, you need:

• Comprehensive medical documentation showing diagnosis, treatment history, and functional limitations
• Physician statements describing how your condition impacts your ability to work
• Objective test results, such as MRI scans, lab results, imaging studies, or psychological evaluations depending on your impairment

4. Common Qualifying Conditions in Arizona

Some conditions frequently seen in Arizona SSDI approvals include:

• Severe degenerative disc disease causing chronic pain and mobility limitations
• Heart disease with limited exercise tolerance or frequent hospitalization
• Diabetes complications leading to neuropathy, retinopathy, or amputation
• Chronic respiratory conditions aggravated by Arizona’s climate, such as advanced COPD
• Mental health disorders with severe symptoms preventing consistent work

5. How SSA Determines Eligibility

SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation:

1. Are you working and earning above SGA?
2. Is your condition severe?
3. Does it meet or equal a listed impairment?
4. Can you perform past work?
5. Can you do any other work based on age, education, and work history?

Meeting a listed impairment at step three often results in automatic approval, but if not, steps four and five assess your ability to work in any capacity.