What Conditions Automatically Qualify You for Disability?

Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Help?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226

Living with a disabling condition often creates overwhelming challenges—not just in daily life, but also in navigating the complex systems designed to provide support.

Thankfully, three key government programs—Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and VA Disability Benefits—offer monthly cash benefits to individuals unable to work due to their disabilities or to veterans with service-connected conditions.

While no condition guarantees “automatic” approval, some impairments can simplify and expedite the claims process, providing a faster path to the support you need.

In this guide, disability expert Brian Reese breaks down which conditions may qualify for these programs, explains how the claims process works, and shares pro tips and strategies to maximize your benefits. Whether you’re just starting your claim or need help after a denial, this article will empower you with the tools and insights you need to succeed.

Let’s begin!

Summary of Key Points

• Disability Benefits Provide Vital Support: Disability benefits offer essential financial assistance to individuals facing significant challenges due to medical or mental health conditions. These programs include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and VA Disability Benefits for veterans. Although no condition guarantees automatic approval, certain severe impairments can streamline the process, expediting access to crucial benefits.

• The SSA’s 5-Step Evaluation Process: The SSA uses a structured five-step sequential evaluation to determine eligibility for SSDI or SSI. First, applicants must fall below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold, set at $1,620 per month in 2025 for non-blind individuals. Second, the condition must be a severe impairment, significantly limiting basic work activities for at least 12 months or resulting in death. Third, the SSA reviews whether the condition meets or equals a listing in the Blue Book, which outlines 14 categories of disabling conditions. Fourth, the evaluation determines if the condition prevents the applicant from returning to their past work. Finally, the SSA assesses if the applicant can adapt to any other type of work, considering their age, education, and transferable skills.

• VA Disability Benefits and the PACT Act: Veterans with service-connected conditions may qualify for VA disability benefits, which provide tax-free compensation. The PACT Act has expanded the VA’s list of presumptive conditions to include 23 categories and over 330 specific conditions. Examples include hypertension linked to Agent Orange exposure and cancers associated with toxic exposure. These presumptive conditions simplify the approval process by eliminating the need for veterans to prove a direct connection between their service and the condition.

• Strategies for Improving Your Chances of Approval: Success in the claims process requires a thorough and accurate application supported by strong medical evidence. Applicants should gather detailed records, such as diagnostic tests and physician statements, that document the severity of their condition and its impact on daily life. Completing the necessary forms, like a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) for VA benefits or the SSA’s online application for SSDI/SSI, is also essential. Working with experienced advocates or attorneys can help navigate the complexities of the claims process and improve the likelihood of approval. Leveraging programs like presumptive disability or compassionate allowance can further expedite access to benefits.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability (SSDI and SSI)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers SSDI and SSI, but the requirements for each program differ slightly:

• SSDI: For individuals who have earned enough work credits and can no longer perform substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a disability.

• SSI: For low-income individuals with limited resources who meet SSA’s definition of disability.

The SSA’s Five-Step Evaluation Process

To qualify, applicants must pass a 5-step sequential evaluation:

#1. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA):

• Description: The SSA assesses if the applicant is earning more than the SGA limit. In 2025, this is $1,620/month for non-blind individuals and $2,700/month for blind individuals. For SSI, SGA for the blind does not apply, but SGA for non-blind disabled applicants does.

• Example: A non-blind applicant earns $1,700/month working part-time. They exceed the SGA limit and are unlikely to qualify unless they can prove their work is a trial or unsustainable due to their condition.

#2. Severe Impairment:

• Description: The condition must significantly limit the applicant’s ability to perform basic work tasks, such as standing, walking, lifting, or concentrating. The impairment must also be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

• Example: An applicant with severe rheumatoid arthritis struggles to use their hands for extended periods, making it impossible to perform tasks like typing or lifting objects. This condition would likely meet the severe impairment criterion.

#3. Listing of Impairments (SSA’s Blue Book):

• Description: SSA evaluates whether the applicant’s condition matches or equals a listed impairment in the Blue Book, which includes specific criteria for medical conditions.

• Example: A veteran with advanced Parkinson’s disease meets the Blue Book listing for neurological disorders due to severe tremors, slow movement, and muscle rigidity that prevent basic motor tasks.

#4. Inability to Perform Past Work:

• Description: If the condition does not meet a Blue Book listing, SSA assesses whether the applicant’s impairment prevents them from returning to their previous jobs, based on physical and mental demands.

• Example: A construction worker with severe back pain and degenerative disc disease can no longer lift heavy materials or stand for long periods. They are unable to return to their past work as a laborer.

#5. Inability to Perform Any Work:

• Description: If the applicant cannot return to past work, SSA determines if they can perform any other work considering their age, education, and transferable skills. This step evaluates if the applicant can adapt to less demanding work.

• Example: A 55-year-old with limited education and no experience in sedentary jobs is unable to transition to desk work due to their severe carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic pain. The SSA determines they cannot perform any substantial work and approves their disability claim.

The 14 Categories of Impairments (SSA Blue Book)

The SSA’s Blue Book contains 14 categories of disabling conditions.

If your condition meets or exceeds the criteria in the Blue Book, you skip steps #4 and #5 of the evaluation process, significantly reducing approval time:

• Musculoskeletal Disorders: These impairments affect bones, joints, ligaments, or muscles, hindering movement, walking, or motor skills. Examples include arthritis, spinal disorders, amputations, and joint dysfunction. Eligibility depends on evidence of chronic pain, reduced range of motion, or inability to perform basic tasks like walking or lifting.

• Special Senses and Speech: Disorders that impact vision, hearing, and speech fall under this category. Examples include blindness, hearing loss, and speech disorders. To qualify, applicants must meet specific thresholds, such as corrected vision of 20/200 or less or significant auditory impairments despite using aids.

• Respiratory Disorders: This includes conditions that impair lung function, making breathing difficult. Examples are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and respiratory failure. Pulmonary function tests or hospitalizations due to respiratory crises are often required as proof.

• Cardiovascular System: Covers heart and blood vessel conditions that impede daily functioning. Examples include chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and stroke-related complications. Eligibility often requires stress test results, echocardiograms, or evidence of ongoing functional limitations.

• Digestive Disorders: Includes conditions that affect the digestive tract or related organs, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, liver disease, and pancreatitis. Severe symptoms like malnutrition, anemia, or frequent hospitalizations must be documented to qualify.

• Genitourinary Disorders: Disorders that impair kidney function or affect the urinary tract are included. Examples are chronic kidney disease (CKD) and nephrotic syndrome. Eligibility requires laboratory results showing impaired kidney function, such as reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

• Hematological Disorders: This category encompasses blood disorders that lead to severe health issues. Examples include sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and bone marrow failure syndromes. Frequent transfusions, organ damage, or repeated infections must be demonstrated.

• Skin Disorders: Conditions that cause severe skin impairments limiting functionality are covered. Examples include severe burns, dermatitis, genetic photosensitivity disorders, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Extensive skin lesions lasting three or more months are required for qualification.

• Endocrine Disorders: Hormonal imbalances caused by glandular dysfunction fall under this category. Examples include diabetes, thyroid disorders, and adrenal gland issues. Eligibility often involves complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, or acidosis.

• Congenital Disorders That Affect Multiple Body Systems: This includes conditions present at birth that impair multiple systems. Examples are Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and genetic disorders impacting growth or development. Genetic testing and clinical observations are required as evidence.

• Neurological Disorders: Conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, or nerves are included. Examples are epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and cerebral palsy. Applicants must provide documentation of symptoms like seizures, paralysis, or impaired motor skills that prevent work.

• Mental Disorders: Psychological conditions that significantly impair functioning fall under this category. Examples include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and autism. Proof of long-term treatment, hospitalizations, and reduced cognitive or social functioning is necessary.

• Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases): Aggressive and life-threatening cancers are included. Examples are leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Conditions must be inoperable, metastatic, or recurrent despite treatment to qualify.

• Immune System Disorders: Includes autoimmune diseases and conditions that weaken the immune system. Examples are lupus, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Evidence of systemic inflammation, organ damage, or frequent infections is required.

To qualify under any category, applicants must provide comprehensive medical evidence, such as test results, treatment records, and physician assessments, showing their condition meets or equals the criteria listed.

Conditions That May Expedite SSDI and SSI Approval

Some conditions are so severe that they may qualify for presumptive disability or compassionate allowance status, allowing faster access to benefits:

• Presumptive Disability: Provides up to six months of benefits while the SSA processes your claim. Examples include inoperable cancers, advanced HIV/AIDS, and severe intellectual disabilities.

• Compassionate Allowances (CAL): Expedites claims for life-threatening conditions such as ALS, aggressive cancers, or rare genetic disorders. The SSA keeps an updated list of 287 conditions that qualify for compassionate allowance.

What are the Most Common Disabilities for Social Security?

Here’s a list of the most common disabilities for SSDI, along with their respective numbers and percentages from the SSA Annual Statistical Report.

Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue conditions are by far the most common disabilities for SSDI, representing 65.6% of the total approved conditions in 2023.

These four categories represent the most significant sources of Social Security disability claims, showcasing the medical conditions that most frequently impact an individual’s ability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA).

#1. Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue

• Number: 240,688
• Percentage: 65.6%

#2. Depressive, Bipolar, and Related Mental Disorders

• Number: 25,136
• Percentage: 6.8%

#3. Injuries to Include Work Related Accidents

• Number: 23,433
• Percentage: 6.4%

#4. Nervous System and Sense Organs Disorders

• Number: 20,388
• Percentage: 5.6%

VA Disability Benefits for Veterans

For veterans, VA disability compensation provides tax-free payments for conditions directly connected to military service or worsened by it.

Some VA claims are easier to win than others.

And, presumptive conditions simplify the VA claims approval process for eligible veterans.

Presumptive Conditions for Veterans

A presumptive disability is a condition that the VA automatically assumes is related to a veteran’s military service based on specific circumstances, such as the location and period of service.

This eliminates the need for the veteran to prove a direct connection, or “nexus,” between their service and the condition they developed, making it easier to qualify for VA disability compensation benefits.

For example, The PACT Act of 2022 added 23 categories and more than 330 specific medical conditions that the VA now recognizes as presumptive to military service.

The following conditions have recently been added to the VA’s presumptive list:

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Recognized as a presumptive condition for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other toxic substances, making it easier for affected veterans to claim benefits.

• Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): This blood disorder, which can lead to more severe conditions like multiple myeloma, is now presumptive for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals.

• Male Breast Cancer: An increasingly recognized cancer linked to toxic exposures, now included under the presumptive conditions.

• Urethral Cancer: Recently added as a presumptive condition, particularly relevant for veterans exposed to harmful substances.

• Cancer of the Paraurethral Glands: Another specific cancer type added to the presumptive list due to emerging evidence of its connection to military service and toxic exposure.

Proving VA Service Connection

To qualify for VA disability benefits, veterans must prove service connection by providing evidence of:

• A current disability (medical diagnosis).

• An in-service event, injury, or illness.

• A “nexus” linking the condition to service, often through a Nexus Letter from a private medical professional.

The VA’s disability ratings range from 0% to 100% and determine monthly payment amounts.

Veterans with severe disabilities may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), granting benefits at the 100% rate if they are unable to maintain substantial employment.

What are the Most Common VA Disabilities?

According to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) FY 2023 report to congress, here’s a list of the 10 most common VA disability claims:

• #1. Tinnitus

• #2. Limitation of Flexion of the Knee

• #3. Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve (Sciatica)

• #4. Hearing Loss

• #5. Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain

• #6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• #7. Limitation of Motion of the Arm

• #8. Limitation of Range of Motion of the Ankle

• #9. Migraines (Headaches)

• #10. Scars, General

How to Improve Your Chances of Approval

Regardless of the benefits program, success hinges on submitting a comprehensive and accurate application with the right medical evidence.

Follow these tips to strengthen your case:

• Gather Detailed Medical Evidence: Include medical records, diagnostic tests, and physician statements detailing your condition’s severity and impact.

• Complete Necessary Forms: Submit a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) for VA disability and/or complete SSA’s required online forms for SSDI/SSI.

• Consider Working With an Advocate: Attorneys and claims experts can navigate complex processes, improving your likelihood of approval.

Conclusion & Wrap-Up

Living with a disabling condition presents immense challenges, but programs like SSDI, SSI, and VA Disability Benefits offer critical financial support to ease these burdens.

While no condition guarantees automatic approval, understanding the processes and criteria for each program can significantly improve your chances of securing the benefits you deserve.

The SSA’s five-step evaluation process and Blue Book listings provide a structured framework for SSDI and SSI claims.

Meanwhile, VA Disability Benefits, enhanced by the PACT Act, have expanded coverage for veterans with service-connected conditions, simplifying the claims process for many.

Success in obtaining these benefits often hinges on a thorough education and the right medical evidence!

Submitting detailed medical evidence, completing accurate applications, and enlisting expert support when needed are vital steps to improving your chances of approval.

Remember, you don’t have to face this journey alone.

Knowledge, persistence, and professional guidance can make all the difference in securing the benefits you deserve!

Want Expert-Level Help with Your VA Disability Claim? WE GOT YOUR SIX!

How does VA Claims Insider help veterans?

We make the confusing and frustrating VA claim process EASY through our 8-step proprietary system and one-on-one coaching; we’re the VA Claim EXPERTS you can trust, and YOU are never alone in this fight against the VA!

You’ll also receive VA disability expert Brian Reese’s SEM Method Blueprint—a proven formula that has helped over 25,000 veterans win their VA disability claims faster:

Strategy + Education + Medical Evidence = VA Rating and Compensation You Deserve FASTER!

Start today and unlock an exceptional level of service you deserve for serving our country:

➡️ You’ll hear from a VA Claim Expert over email within 15 minutes of signing up today.

➡️ You’ll hear from your Veteran Coach team within 24 hours of all inquiries during normal business days/hours.

➡️ Our terms are clear and simple: If we don’t win, you don’t pay. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Click the red button below to start the process of winning your VA claim right now!

Fellow Veterans: Are You Ready to WIN, SERVICE-CONNECT, and INCREASE Your VA Rating FASTER? We Can Help!

• VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims.

• Work directly with a VA claims coach who can help lead you to VA claim victory.

• 25,000+ disabled veterans served in our membership programs since 2016.

• 30% average rating increase for veterans who complete our #1 rated Elite program.

• 4.7/5.0 average rating out of 5,500+ total reviews; over 4,500 5-star reviews.

About the Author