Listing code
13.17
Adult (Part A)
Body system
13.00
Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases)
Subsections
3
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Small intestine --carcinoma, sarcoma, or carcinoid.
Subsection A
Inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent. OR
Subsection B
With metastases beyond the regional lymph nodes. OR
Subsection C
Small-cell (oat cell) carcinoma.
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 13.17. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 13.17 usually fail
One pitfall is using treatment history to describe the cancer without showing the required pattern, like inoperable or unresectable or recurrent for Subsection A, spread beyond regional lymph nodes for Subsection B, or small-cell (oat cell) for Subsection C. Another pitfall is submitting only a general scan report when SSA needs evidence that specifies the cancer type, extent, and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesion. A third pitfall is focusing on nearby lymph nodes alone when Subsection B requires metastases beyond the regional lymph nodes. A fourth pitfall is missing key pathology documentation for biopsy or other operative procedures, when an operative note and pathology report are generally needed.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Medical evidence must specify the type, extent, and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic small intestine lesion. For biopsies or other operative procedures (including needle aspiration), SSA generally needs a copy of both the operative note and the pathology report. When those documents cannot be obtained, SSA may accept summaries of hospitalization(s) or other medical reports, and these should include surgical findings and, whenever appropriate, pathological findings. If there is recurrence, persistence, progression, or a notable response to anticancer therapy, SSA may also need evidence about those issues and any significant post-therapeutic residuals.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If Subsection A, B, or C is not clearly met, the disability decision can still use the rest of the cancer rules. SSA evaluates limitations using the residual effects of cancer and its treatment, not just the diagnosis label. If a later step finds the cancer has changed in a way that matches the criteria (for example, new spread beyond regional lymph nodes or a clearer inoperable/recurrent status), that can support approval.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For SSDI and SSI, work activity is evaluated first under the usual work rules (SGA), meaning sustained work above SGA generally prevents eligibility in the months at issue. After a favorable medical decision, work activity is still allowed within SSA's ongoing disability program rules, and the program provides a trial period for working before continued eligibility is reassessed. Small intestine cancer under 13.17 is often evaluated based on whether it is inoperable or unresectable or recurrent (13.17A), whether metastases go beyond regional lymph nodes (13.17B), or whether it is small-cell (oat cell) carcinoma (13.17C), which are the kinds of medical severity findings most likely to line up with the inability to sustain work.
Listing 13.17 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for small intestine --carcinoma, sarcoma, or carcinoid disability claims.