Does Multiple Sclerosis Qualify for SSDI?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that can strip away your ability to work long before you reach retirement age. If you live in Virginia and have been diagnosed with MS, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance benefits — but qualifying is rarely automatic. Understanding how the Social Security Administration evaluates MS claims is essential to building a successful case.

How the SSA Evaluates Multiple Sclerosis

The Social Security Administration recognizes multiple sclerosis under Listing 11.09 in its official Listing of Impairments, sometimes called the "Blue Book." To meet this listing, your condition must satisfy specific clinical criteria that demonstrate significant functional limitations.

Under Listing 11.09, you can qualify in one of two ways:

• Disorganization of motor function in two extremities — meaning your arms or legs do not function properly — resulting in extreme difficulty walking, using your hands and fingers, or rising from a seated position
• Marked limitation in physical functioning combined with a marked limitation in at least one of the following: understanding or applying information, interacting with others, concentrating and maintaining pace, or managing yourself independently

The SSA uses the word "marked" deliberately — it means more than moderate but less than extreme. Documenting this level of limitation requires thorough medical records, neurologist reports, MRI findings, and often detailed statements from treating physicians. Simply having an MS diagnosis on paper is not enough.

When Your MS Does Not Meet the Listing

Many people with MS experience symptoms that are debilitating but may not satisfy every element of Listing 11.09. This is especially common with relapsing-remitting MS, where periods of relative stability alternate with severe flare-ups. If your condition does not meet the listing precisely, the SSA will conduct a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment.

An RFC evaluation determines what work-related activities you can still perform despite your impairments. The SSA will consider your ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, concentrate, follow instructions, and interact appropriately in a workplace. For MS patients, the following limitations are particularly important to document:

• Fatigue — one of the most disabling symptoms of MS and often underrepresented in medical records
• Cognitive dysfunction, often called "cog fog," affecting memory, attention, and processing speed
• Spasticity and muscle weakness limiting mobility
• Vision problems, including optic neuritis
• Bladder dysfunction requiring frequent restroom breaks
• Heat sensitivity (Uhthoff's phenomenon) that worsens all symptoms in warm environments

If the RFC assessment shows you cannot perform your past work, the SSA then evaluates whether any other jobs in the national economy are available to you given your age, education, and work history. For older Virginians, the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (known as the "Grid Rules") may direct a finding of disability even with some remaining work capacity.

Virginia-Specific Considerations for MS Claims

SSDI is a federal program, but the initial claims process in Virginia runs through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), which handles disability determinations under contract with the SSA. Your claim will be reviewed by a state disability examiner paired with a medical consultant.

Virginia residents who are denied at the initial level — which happens in the majority of MS cases — have the right to request reconsideration and, if denied again, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Hearings in Virginia are conducted through regional SSA hearing offices, including locations in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, and Northern Virginia. Wait times for hearings can stretch well over a year, which makes starting the process as early as possible critically important.

One important Virginia-specific resource: Virginians with MS who do not qualify for SSDI may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if their income and assets fall below federal thresholds, or for state Medicaid programs that can provide health coverage during the waiting period before Medicare begins.

Building a Strong Medical Record for Your Claim

The foundation of any successful MS disability claim is a comprehensive, consistent medical record. The SSA looks for objective clinical findings — not just subjective complaints. To strengthen your claim:

• Maintain regular appointments with a board-certified neurologist who specializes in MS, as their opinions carry significant weight
• Ensure your MRI results, EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) scores, and evoked potential tests are in your file
• Ask your treating physician to complete an RFC questionnaire that specifically addresses your functional limitations in work-related terms
• Keep a symptom journal documenting daily fluctuations, fatigue severity, and the impact of heat or exertion on your functioning
• Report all symptoms to your doctors — a medical record that only mentions walking difficulty but ignores cognitive problems or fatigue will leave major gaps in your claim

If you are treating at a major Virginia MS center — such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University Health, or Inova — your care team may have experience completing disability documentation and may be familiar with what the SSA requires.

What to Do If Your Claim Was Denied

An initial denial is not the end of your case. Statistically, MS claimants who pursue an ALJ hearing — especially with legal representation — have significantly higher approval rates than those who give up after an initial denial. You have 60 days from the date of any denial notice to file your appeal, and missing this deadline can force you to start the entire process over.

At the hearing stage, an attorney can cross-examine the vocational expert the SSA brings in to testify about available jobs, challenge RFC assessments that underestimate your limitations, and present updated medical evidence. The hearing is also your opportunity to testify directly about how MS has affected your daily life — something no form or medical record can fully capture.

If you are still working, know that SSDI has a Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) earnings threshold — in 2025, that figure is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals. Earning above this amount generally disqualifies you from receiving SSDI, regardless of your diagnosis. However, if your employer has made special accommodations or if your earnings fluctuate due to MS flare-ups, these factors can be argued in your favor.

MS is a progressive disease, and the longer you delay filing, the longer you wait for benefits that may be owed to you. Virginia residents should be aware that SSDI back pay can be claimed retroactively up to 12 months before your application date — but only if you were disabled during that period — making early action financially significant.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

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