Listing code
104.13
Children (Part B)
Body system
104.00
Cardiovascular system (children)
Subsections
0
No lettered criteria
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Rheumatic heart disease, with persistence of rheumatic fever activity manifested by significant murmurs(s), cardiac enlargement or ventricular dysfunction (see 104.00C2a ), and other associated abnormal laboratory findings; for example, an elevated sedimentation rate or ECG findings, for 6 months or more in a consecutive 12-month period (see 104.00A3e ). Consider under a disability for 18 months from the established onset of impairment, then evaluate any residual impairment(s). Back to Top Support Contact us Find an office Forms Publications Report fraud Languages Español Other languages Plain language Services for Employers & businesses Government agencies Other groups Representatives About Careers Chief actuary data Communications Financial reports Initiatives Research & policy Social Security Administration
This listing has no lettered subsections. The diagnosis itself, supported by the medical evidence described in the body-system overview, is what SSA evaluates.
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 104.13. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 104.13 usually fail
One common pitfall is missing the 'persistence' requirement, which is not just a diagnosis but evidence that required findings continue for 6 months or more in a consecutive 12-month period. Another pitfall is relying on murmurs alone when the listing also requires evidence of cardiac enlargement or ventricular dysfunction. A third pitfall is treating 'abnormal lab or ECG findings' as optional when the criteria explicitly include other associated abnormal laboratory findings, for example an elevated sedimentation rate or ECG findings, along with the heart findings. A fourth pitfall is using evidence that does not line up to the relevant time window, like findings that appear only briefly rather than meeting the sustained period requirement.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Medical evidence should support ongoing rheumatic fever activity with significant murmurs plus documentation of cardiac enlargement or ventricular dysfunction. Evidence should also include other associated abnormal laboratory findings, such as an elevated sedimentation rate, and/or ECG findings. The record should show these required findings for 6 months or more within a consecutive 12-month period, using a longitudinal timeline that can be followed across visits.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If the 104.13 criteria are not met, the case is still evaluated under the general structure for childhood cardiovascular impairments. The broader cardiovascular listing framework considers impairments shown by symptoms, signs, laboratory findings, response to a prescribed treatment regimen, and functional limitations. In practice, that means some claims can still qualify even when this specific 'persistent rheumatic fever activity' pattern is not fully documented, because SSA can look for a qualifying cardiovascular impairment pattern under the relevant childhood cardiovascular listings.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For SSDI (child under 18, Part B), eligibility is tied to an impairment that can be established based on the medical findings in this listing. Under this listing, SSA is looking for persistence of rheumatic fever activity for 6 months or more in a consecutive 12-month period, with significant murmurs plus cardiac enlargement or ventricular dysfunction, and other associated abnormal laboratory findings such as an elevated sedimentation rate or ECG findings. After approval, any residual impairment(s) are evaluated after SSA considers the period of disability for 18 months from the established onset of impairment.
Listing 104.13 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for rheumatic heart disease, with persistence of rheumatic fever activity manifested by significant murmurs(s), cardiac enlargement or ventricular dysfunction disability claims.