Blue Book Listing 2.07: Disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function

Direct answer: Yes — if your medical evidence meets every criterion in Blue Book Listing 2.07 (Disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function) under Part A (Special Senses & Speech), the Social Security Administration will find you medically disabled at step three of the sequential evaluation, without needing to consider your age, education, or past work.

What does Listing 2.07 require?

Listing 2.07 sits in Part A, Section 2.00 — Special Senses & Speech. It defines the specific medical findings SSA looks for in disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function. You must show every element in the listing, documented by an acceptable medical source, with imaging, laboratory testing, or clinical exam findings appropriate to the impairment. The full criteria are published on ssa.gov.

What if I don't exactly meet 2.07?

SSA can still approve you two other ways. First, medical equivalence: your combined impairments are as severe as the listing even if one criterion is missing. Second, residual functional capacity (RFC): at steps four and five SSA weighs what work you can still do given your limitations, age, education, and past work. Most approvals happen at RFC, not at the listing.

How long must the impairment last?

SSDI and SSI require the impairment to have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 continuous months, or to be expected to result in death. Short-term or temporary conditions do not qualify.