At Aiello Law Group, we know how difficult it can be to navigate this process on your own. That’s why we provide clear guidance, strong advocacy, and the legal experience you need to pursue benefits. This page provides an overview of the impairments the SSA recognizes, which fall broadly into two categories: physical impairments and mental impairments.
After reading, call (248) 281-4247 for your free consultation.
Understanding SSDI Qualifications
The SSA doesn’t award benefits based on a diagnosis alone. Instead, you must show that your impairment:
- Has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or result in death
- Prevents you from performing “substantial gainful activity” (working enough to earn above a set monthly amount)
- Meets or equals the severity of a listed condition in the Blue Book
Some conditions automatically qualify you for disability if they appear on the SSA’s listings and meet the outlined medical criteria. Others require you to show evidence that your condition is as severe as a listed impairment. Because every case is different, working with a skilled SSDI attorney can make all the difference in proving your eligibility.
Physical Impairments
Physical impairments include conditions that affect the body’s ability to move, breathe, circulate blood, process nutrients, or fight disease. These conditions often create long-term functional limitations that make work impossible. Examples of recognized categories include:
- Musculoskeletal disorders: Back injuries, joint damage, amputations, and other conditions that impair mobility
- Neurological disorders: Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injuries
- Cardiovascular disorders: Heart failure, coronary artery disease, and recurring arrhythmias
- Respiratory disorders: COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic lung diseases
- Digestive system disorders: Inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and pancreatitis
- Genitourinary disorders: Chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, and transplant recovery
- Immune system disorders: HIV/AIDS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma
- Cancers: Many forms of malignant disease, especially advanced or recurrent cancers
Each of these areas involves specific SSA criteria and medical documentation. At Aiello Law Group, we help clients gather the records, testing, and medical statements they need to prove their conditions meet SSDI qualifications.
Mental Impairments
Just as serious as physical conditions, mental impairments can severely limit someone’s ability to work or care for themselves. The SSA recognizes a wide range of psychiatric, cognitive, and developmental disorders as qualifying impairments. These include:
- Depressive and bipolar disorders that impact mood, concentration, and daily functioning
- Anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, agoraphobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders that alter perception and judgment
- Neurocognitive disorders such as dementia or traumatic brain injury
- Neurodevelopmental disorder, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability
- Trauma- and stressor-related disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Because mental impairments are often less visible than physical ones, the SSA requires detailed evidence such as psychiatric evaluations, treatment records, and functional assessments. Our attorneys know how to present this evidence in a way that highlights the full impact of your condition.
What Conditions Automatically Qualify You for Disability?
Some impairments are considered so severe that the SSA has created specific listings with clear-cut medical criteria. These are the social security disability conditions that most often qualify without additional explanation if your medical records prove you meet the requirements. Examples include:
- Certain advanced cancers
- End-stage renal disease requiring dialysis
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Complete blindness or deafness
Even with these conditions, it’s not unusual for the SSA to deny claims due to incomplete documentation or technical errors. That’s why having Aiello Law Group on your side can make the process smoother and give you the best chance of approval.
How Aiello Law Group Supports Your Claim
The path to disability benefits is rarely simple. Many people are denied at least once before securing approval. At Aiello Law Group, we provide more than legal representation—we provide peace of mind. Our team will:
- Review your medical and work history to match it to the SSA criteria
- Collect and organize evidence that shows how your impairment prevents you from working
- Represent you at hearings and appeals if your claim is denied
- Communicate directly with the SSA on your behalf
Whether you are dealing with a physical impairment, a mental impairment, or a combination of conditions, we are here to fight for your rights and help you secure the benefits you need to move forward with your life.
Call Aiello Law Group Today
The SSA’s Blue Book can feel overwhelming, and understanding how to qualify for disability is rarely straightforward. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. Call Aiello Law Group today for a free consultation. Let our experienced attorneys review your case, explain your options, and stand by your side every step of the way.
