The Social Security Administration maintains an official list of medical conditions that automatically qualify for SSDI if certain severity criteria are met. But even if your condition is not on the list, you can still win your case by demonstrating you cannot work.
Main Categories in the Listing
The Listing of Impairments (known as the "Blue Book") covers: musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders, neurological disorders (epilepsy, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis), cancer, mental disorders, and immunological diseases such as HIV/AIDS or lupus.
Qualifying Outside the Listing: RFC
Even if your condition doesn't meet the exact listing criteria, you may qualify based on your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). The SSA evaluates what you can and cannot do, if you cannot do your past work or adapt to other work (considering your age, education, and experience), you may be approved.
Common Conditions in Hispanic Applicants
Common conditions in SSDI applications from the Hispanic community include: Type 2 diabetes with complications, back injuries (L4-L5, S1 disc herniation), hypertension with organ damage, major depression and anxiety, and injuries related to manual labor.
The Age and Education Rule
Something many don't know: the SSA considers your age, education, and work experience. For people over 50, the criteria are less strict, and for those over 55 with intensive physical work, even more so.