Listing 1.04 · Musculoskeletal disorders

Disorders of the spine (legacy listing — replaced by 1.15-1.16 in 2021)

To be approved under this listing, a claim must fully satisfy any one lettered paragraph below — and the medical records have to prove it.

Paragraph A

  1. A

    Evidence of nerve root compression characterized by neuro-anatomic distribution of pain, limitation of motion of the spine, motor loss with muscle weakness, AND positive straight-leg-raising test.

    In plain terms: Has your doctor or imaging documented nerve root compression — with weakness in a specific muscle and a positive straight-leg-raising test?

    Evidence required:MRITreating physician reportConsultative exam

Paragraph B

  1. B

    Spinal arachnoiditis confirmed by operative note or pathology report or imaging.

    In plain terms: Have you been diagnosed with spinal arachnoiditis?

    Evidence required:MRIPathology reportTreating physician report

Paragraph C

  1. C

    Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in pseudoclaudication, established by findings on imaging, manifested by chronic nonradicular pain and weakness, and resulting in inability to ambulate effectively.

    In plain terms: Has imaging confirmed lumbar spinal stenosis with pseudoclaudication — and has your walking become severely limited?

    Evidence required:MRICT scanTreating physician report

Note · Legacy listing; current rule is 1.15 / 1.16. Useful when an older ALJ decision is being challenged or a record references this code. Director should prefer 1.15/1.16 for current cases.

Read the official SSA text for Listing 1.04

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Approval odds by condition

How claims for this body system fare through the process.

Other musculoskeletal disorders listings

Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s)Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in compromise of the cauda equinaReconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing jointAbnormality of a major joint(s) in any extremityPathologic fractures due to any causeAmputation due to any causeSoft-tissue injury or abnormality under continuing surgical managementNon-healing or complex fracture of the femur, tibia, pelvis, or one or more vertebraeNon-healing or complex fracture of an upper extremity

Source: SSA Listing of Impairments (Blue Book), 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 · Updated 2026-06-18. Criteria paraphrased for readability; see the official SSA text linked above. Not legal or medical advice — whether a specific medical record meets Listing 1.04 is an individualized judgment SSA makes on the evidence.