What Is Social Security's Blue Book and How Does It Impact Your Disability Claim?

When you apply for Social Security Disability, many things factor into whether or not Social Security approves your disability claim. You either submit or give the agency access to many of these items, such as your medical records, list of prescriptions, and dates of your various treatments.

But another component utilized during the review process is Social Security's Blue Book. What is the Blue Book, and how does it impact your claim? Read on for more information. 

What Is the Blue Book?

Officially titled Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, the Blue Book contains a wealth of information pertaining to disabling conditions and criteria that can be helpful when applying for benefits. Social Security examiners, medical professionals, lawyers, and Social Security advocates utilize this book as a tool when evaluating applications for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.

The book has three main parts. These parts include:

• Part I - General Information: This explains both disability programs Social Security administers. These are the Social Security disability insurance and the Supplemental Security Income program. Part I also provides useful definitions for terms used throughout the process, such as disability and medically determinable impairment, and an outline of the review process and the role of those involved.
• Part II - Evidentiary Requirements: This outlines medical evidence required for showing your impairment and its severity. This information can be submitted by you as a part of your application or requested by the agency with your permission. If the agency requires additional information after collecting medical records, they may require further testing or a consultative examination (CE) before approving your claim.
• Part III - Listing of Impairments: This lists the impairments considered severe enough to keep you from performing any type of gainful employment and qualify you for disability. This book breaks this information into Part A or impairments for those over age 18, and Part B, impairments for those under age 18, and lists them by the various affected bodily systems.

The Blue Book can be found online on SSA's website.

How Is the Blue Book Utilized?

The language in the Blue Book is written to be employed by health care professionals and can be complicated to read, but the book is accessible for anyone to use.

A medical professional would use the book as a guide for their evaluation and then ensure that their medical evidence supports the assessment they provide. If a disability attorney uses the book, they will ensure that your application and medical evidence support the condition you are applying for disability under. 

As an applicant, you may use the Blue Book as a checklist. You may match your diagnosis and symptoms to the listed conditions and required testing and medical information the agency requires as a part of your diagnosis. 

How Does the Blue Book Impact Your Claim?

The Blue Book does not have as much impact on your disability claim as you may think. Just because your impairment is in the Blue Book does not mean that you automatically qualify for benefits. This is a common misunderstanding.

The book also does not list every possible disabling medical condition under which you may be eligible for disability benefits. To qualify with a non-listed impairment, you may prove that your situation meets or exceeds the qualification for similar listings or that you are otherwise "disabled" as the SSA uses that term. Proving this can be a daunting task since the definition of "disabled" varies depending on your age, education and past work history.

To improve your chances of qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits, you need the services of a Social Security Disability attorney. Here at Gordon & Pont PC, we understand the Blue Book and all other nuances of the Social Security application and appeal process. We will help you prove your claim and get the benefits you deserve. Give us a call today so we can get started on your case.