Listing code
4.11
Adult (Part A)
Body system
4.00
Cardiovascular system
Subsections
2
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Chronic venous insufficiency of a lower extremity with incompetency or obstruction of the deep venous system and one of the following:
Subsection A
Extensive brawny edema (see 4.00G3 ) involving at least two-thirds of the leg between the ankle and knee or the distal one-third of the lower extremity between the ankle and hip. OR
Subsection B
Superficial varicosities, stasis dermatitis, and either recurrent ulceration or persistent ulceration that has not healed following at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. Back to Top
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 4.11. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 4.11 usually fail
A common failure mode is missing the deep venous system requirement. Another pitfall is meeting only part of the size pattern in Subsection A, like edema that does not cover at least two-thirds of the leg between the ankle and knee, or the distal one-third between the ankle and hip. For Subsection B, it is easy to stop at superficial varicosities and stasis dermatitis, without showing recurrent ulceration or persistent ulceration that has not healed after at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. A final pitfall is describing ulcers that did not receive prescribed treatment for at least 3 months, or where the record does not show the ulcer healing status over that time window.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
The medical record should clearly tie chronic venous insufficiency of a lower extremity to deep venous system incompetency or obstruction. For Subsection A, documentation should show extensive brawny edema involving at least two-thirds of the leg between the ankle and knee, or the distal one-third between the ankle and hip. For Subsection B, documentation should include superficial varicosities plus stasis dermatitis, and it should show either recurrent ulceration, or persistent ulceration that has not healed following at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. The cardiovascular listings in this section are evaluated using symptoms, signs, and response to prescribed treatment, so the longitudinal record covering the ulcer course and treatment timeline matters.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
Step 4 is the functional assessment phase: even if Subsection A or B is not met, the claim can still be approved by showing the practical work limits caused by the venous condition. Step 5 then considers whether those limits allow work, using how the residual functional capacity interacts with vocational factors. Many claims that miss a specific Blue Book listing still get decided later based on the overall functional picture rather than the exact lettered findings.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
At the start of any SSDI claim, work activity at the substantial gainful activity level is relevant as a gate. This listing focuses on deep venous system incompetency or obstruction plus severe manifestations like extensive brawny edema (Subsection A) or stasis dermatitis with recurrent or persistent ulceration after at least 3 months of prescribed treatment (Subsection B). Those severity patterns often align with difficulty sustaining prolonged leg-dependent positions, but the work decision for any specific person depends on the functional limitations assessed for the period in question. If approved, the trial work period and the extended period of eligibility apply under the usual rules for those who qualify.
Listing 4.11 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for chronic venous insufficiency of a lower extremity with incompetency or obstruction of the deep venous system and one of the following disability claims.