What Conditions Are Considered for Disability Claims in NY?

The following medical conditions are included in the Blue Book list:

• Immune system disorders — Disorders that result in chronic, multisystem impairments. These may include: rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus and HIV infection
• Cancer/ Malignant Diseases — Includes all malignant neoplastic diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma and myeloma, as well as cancer of various organs
• Neurological Disorders — Impairments including epilepsy, Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, peripheral neuropathy and others that hamper mental and physical functioning
• Hematological Disorders – Including Sickle Cell Disease, bone marrow failure and hemolytic anemias
• Endocrine Disorders — Dysfunction of the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreas.
• Skin Disorders – Including bullous diseases, Ichthyosis, hidradenitis suppurativa, genetic photosensitivity disorders, burns and chronic infections of the epidermis.
• Respiratory Disorders – Ailments that interfere with lung function, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumoconiosis
• Mental Disorders – Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anxiety, Depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and trauma or stress-related disorders
• Cardiovascular Impairments — Such as chronic heart failure, recurrent arrhythmias, ventricular dysfunction and chronic pain caused by myocardial ischemia
• Disorders of the musculoskeletal system – Resulting from congenital or acquired pathologic processes. May include spinal injury, soft tissue injuries, fracture of the pelvis, femur, or other extremities.
• Problems that Affect Senses/Speech – Hearing loss, blindness or partial loss of vision, and loss of speech
• Digestive System Disorders — Disorders of the digestive tract such as gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic dysfunction, short bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Genitourinary Disorders — Ailments such as diabetic nephropathy, chronic obstructive uropathy, and hereditary nephropathies that can result in chronic kidney disease.
• Congenital Disorders – Those that affect multiple body systems, such as non-mosaic Down Syndrome

New York residents may still be eligible for SSDI benefits even if their illness or condition is not on the “Listing of Impairments.”  As long as the condition is substantiated by medical and clinical reports and limits your residual functional capacity (RFC) thus impairing your ability to work, you may still qualify for disability benefits.