Top 20 Common Ailments Among SSDI Recipients 

The top ailments that clients who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits typically fall into 5-6 broad categories that the Social Security Administration (SSA) tracks. 

This article outlines the most common impairments, illnesses, and disabilities among individuals who receive SSDI benefits. While the research is comprehensive, it does not include every condition, and some recipients may have additional, less common qualifying impairments.

1. Musculoskeletal system & connective tissue ~34% 

• Arthritis 
• Chronic back pain 
• Degenerative Disc Disease 
• Spinal disorders 

Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disabilities include a range of conditions affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This category accounts for roughly 34 percent of impairments among individuals who receive SSDI benefits and represents the most common type of disability.  

2. Neoplasms (cancers & tumors) ~13.6% 

• Lung, breast, colon, and genitourinary malignant cancers 
• Carcinomas 
• Myelomas 
• Leukemias  

Neoplasms are abnormal cellular growths characterized by excessive and uncontrolled cell division, which can disrupt normal bodily and organ functions and may become cancerous or life-threatening.

Tumors are a physical mass or lump in the body, very similar to neoplasms, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Tumors become more serious if they are malignant, meaning they attack the body aggressively and spread to the organs. If a tumor is malignant, it is cancerous.  

When tumors or neoplasms are benign, they are non-life threatening and usually are removed by surgery or other treatments. They are still serious medical issues.  

Benign neoplasms, or benign tumors, are not cancerous, while malignant neoplasms are cancer. 

3. Mental disorders ~12.7% 

• Mood disorders depression and bipolar disorder 
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders 
• PTSD and other anxiety disorders 
• Dementia and traumatic brain injuries 
• Intellectual disorders like down syndrome

Mental disorders account for roughly 13% of the impairments among people approved for SSDI benefits. While there are many types of mental illnesses, not all are considered severe and vary on a case-by-case basis. The SSA considers a mental disorder severe if it significantly limits your ability to function on a daily basis and perform work-related activities. 

4. Diseases of the circulatory system ~10.9% 

• Heart disease 
• Arrhythmia 

Circulatory system diseases affect the heart and its functions, like blood flow and oxygen distribution. These conditions can be caused by genetics or in some instances certain lifestyle factors like poor diet or smoking. Some circulatory system conditions lead to organ failure or other life-threatening issues.  

5. Diseases of the nervous system & sense organs ~9.7% 

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) 
• Cerebral palsy 

Nervous system and sense organ diseases are a range of diseases affecting the brain, spine, nerves, eyes, ears, and other sensory organs.  

Nervous system conditions can be neurodegenerative like Parkinson’s disease. There are other types of diseases in this category, like infections, vascular stroke, or autoimmune, like Bell’s Palsy.  

Sensory organ diseases affect sensory functions typically related to sight, sound, and touch. Examples include glaucoma and vertigo.  

6. Other impairments make up roughly 1/5 of the other ailments ~19.1% 

• COPD 
• Liver disease 
• Digestive diseases  

Many people who apply for or receive SSDI benefits have impairments that do not fall within these five categories. Roughly 20% of conditions among applicants and beneficiaries include digestive disorders affecting the large or small intestine, COPD, respiratory and lung function issues, and a wide range of other illnesses.

These represent some of the most common conditions seen among individuals applying for or receiving SSDI benefits. 

Often, these individuals have multiple impairments that combined make them too disabled to work.

In other cases, individuals may have the same conditions but experience milder symptoms and remain able to work. To qualify for SSDI benefits, an applicant must have severe limitations related to their condition that prevent them from engaging in substantial work activity for at least 12 months.

What conditions qualify for SSDI? 

Eligibility for SSDI benefits is based on several factors. Your disability must prevent you from working for at least 12 consecutive months—or be expected to result in death. You must also have earned sufficient work credits and provide medical evidence demonstrating that your condition is severe enough to keep you from working. 

The SSA determines your eligibility for SSDI benefits by using a 5-step evaluation called the “Sequential Evaluation Process”.  

Step 1 Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) 

The SSA needs to know whether you are currently working. Beyond that, it must determine whether you are engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). 

SGA is a term the SSA uses to describe a specific level of work activity and earnings. It is adjusted annually and represents the maximum amount of monthly income you can earn while still qualifying for SSDI benefits. In 2026, the SGA limit is $2,830 for blind individuals and $1,690 for non-blind individuals.  

This is the core of the SSA’s definition of disability. The SSA has a specific definition of what a disability is:

To meet our definition of disability, you must not be able to engage in any  substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medically determinable physical or mental disability(ies) that is either: 

 

Expected to result in death. 

 

Has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

If you are working and earning more than the SGA limit, you generally will not be eligible to receive benefits. 

Step 2 Medical Severity of Impairment 

This step is where the SSA determines if you have a severe impairment or impairments and what impact it has on your functioning and/or limits your capacity to work, as well as your basic daily activities.  

During this step, the SSA reviews whether your impairment is considered severe and examines how it impacts your overall functioning, 

Your medical records play a crucial role in your SSDI application and in how the SSA evaluates the severity of your disability. It’s important to tell your doctor about any difficulties or symptoms you experience as a result of your condition(s).

If your medical conditions cause functional limitations—like difficulty standing or walking for long periods, trouble lifting or carrying items, pain-related concentration issues, or challenges with daily activities—it is important to clearly communicate this to your doctor. 

Step 3 Meeting or Equaling a Listing 

Similarly to Step 2, the 3rd step in the Sequential Evaluation Process looks more closely at the severity of your condition. If your disability “meets or equals” certain medical criteria outlined by the SSA, your disability may be considered a listing and automatically qualify for benefits. Listing medical conditions are “impairments considered severe enough to prevent an individual from doing any gainful activity” and are grouped into 14 categories.  

The SSA has very strict rules regarding which medical conditions qualify as a listed impairment. 

Your medical records should include objective medical evidence such as diagnostic tests, lab results, prescribed medications, and treatment plans that establish the severity of your condition. 

Step 4 Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) and Past Work 

Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) refers to the most you are still able to do in a work setting despite the limitations caused by your disability. The SSA evaluates whether you can continue working despite your condition and whether you are able to perform any of your past work. If you can perform the duties of your previous jobs without significant physical or mental strain, the SSA will not consider you disabled. 

The SSA reviews your past work to determine what types of jobs you may still be able to perform. These are jobs that you held within the past five years, lasted more than 30 days, and resulted in earnings above SGA. 

Step 5 Other Types of Work  

The final step is determining whether you are able to work or perform other jobs despite your impairment.  This step evaluates whether you can still work or perform other jobs despite your impairment. At this stage, the SSA applies the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, or grids, which take into account your RFC, past work, education level, age, and transferable skills to determine whether you qualify as disabled. The SSA also considers standard job requirements in the current labor market during Step 5.

How do I file for social security disability benefits? 

To apply for SSDI benefits, you can apply online on the SSA’s website, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment at an SSA office to complete your application. 

The SSA has strict rules for those receiving benefits, because of this the process of applying requires lots of paperwork and can be time consuming and confusing. It is highly recommended to hire an attorney when applying for benefits.  

Fierce Advocacy  

We understand that facing a disability can be one of the most stressful moments in your life, and concerns about supporting yourself and your family can feel overwhelming.  

Nyman Turkish is proud to have the nation’s top disability lawyers, with a significantly higher approval rate than the national average. With their experience and proven expertise, you can trust our Firm to advocate for you.  

We also offer a no-fee guarantee, meaning there are no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we win your case.  

Call us at (877) 529-4773 or visit our website to speak with our staff for a FREE case evaluation.