For an adult to be considered disabled by Social Security, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working and that is expected to last for at least one year or result in death.  The Social Security Administration uses a five-step process to decide whether you are disabled. As part of that process, the Social Security Administration checks to see if you have a condition as described in the listing of impairments.  If you do, the Social Security Administration considers your medical condition to be disabling. Even if your particular medical condition is not on the list, you may still be found disabled.

For more information about the disability decision process, the Social Security Administration recommends that you read the booklet, Social Security Disability Benefits (Publication No. 05-10029). The booklet explains the requirements for receiving disability benefits and the five-step process.

You also can find descriptions of the conditions that appear in the Social Security Administration’s Listing of Impairments in the publication, "Disability Evaluation Under Social Security" (Social Security Administration Publication No. 64-039), also referred to as "The Blue Book."  This publication is intended primarily for physicians and other health professionals.