2.3 Listings of Impairments Flashcards
“What are Listings of Impairments?”
Answer: “A set of medical conditions that SSA presumes to be disabling if all criteria are met.”
Explanation: “The Listings are organized into categories for adults and children in the SSA Blue Book.”
“What is the difference between meeting and equaling a Listing?”
Answer:
“Meeting: The claimant’s condition matches all the criteria of a listed impairment.”
“Equaling: The claimant’s condition does not meet all criteria but is of equal severity.”
Explanation: “SSA allows equivalence determinations for impairments that are not listed but are functionally similar.”
“What are examples of impairments in the Listings?”
Answer: “Conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular impairments, neurological conditions, and mental disorders.”
Source: SSA Blue Book.
Case Scenario: Susan, a 55-year-old teacher, is diagnosed with advanced stage 4 breast cancer. Her medical records match all criteria listed for breast cancer in the SSA Blue Book.
Question: Does Susan automatically qualify for disability benefits?
Answer: Yes, Susan automatically qualifies for disability benefits because her condition meets the criteria in the Listing of Impairments.
Legal Explanation: The SSA Blue Book contains Listings of Impairments. If a claimant’s condition meets all criteria in a Listing, disability is presumed without further analysis.
Case Scenario: Mark, a 40-year-old retail worker, has severe asthma that does not meet the Blue Book Listing requirements but significantly limits his physical activities.
Question: Can Mark still qualify for disability benefits?
Answer: Yes, Mark can qualify for disability benefits if his condition is medically equivalent to a Listing or if his RFC prevents him from performing any substantial work.
Legal Explanation: Conditions that do not meet a Listing can still qualify for disability if they are equal in severity to a Listing or if they prevent the claimant from engaging in substantial work, as determined in subsequent steps of the sequential evaluation process.
Listings of Impairments:
Meeting or equaling a Listing automatically qualifies the claimant.
