Listing code
105.05
Children (Part B)
Body system
105.00
Digestive system (children)
Subsections
8
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Chronic liver disease (CLD) (see 105.00C ) with A, B, C, D, E, F, G, or H:
Subsection A
Hemorrhaging from esophageal, gastric, or ectopic varices, or from portal hypertensive gastropathy (see 105.00C2a ), documented by imaging (see 105.00B3 ); resulting in 1 and 2: 1. Hemodynamic instability indicated by signs such as pallor (pale skin), diaphoresis (profuse perspiration), rapid pulse, low blood pressure, postural hypotension (pronounced fall in blood pressure when arising to an upright position from lying down), or syncope (fainting); and 2. Requiring hospitalization for transfusion of at least 10 cc of blood/kg of body weight. Consider under a disability for 1 year following the documented transfusion; after that, evaluate the residual impairment(s). OR
- Hemodynamic instability indicated by signs such as pallor (pale skin), diaphoresis (profuse perspiration), rapid pulse, low blood pressure, postural hypotension (pronounced fall in blood pressure when arising to an upright position from lying down), or syncope (fainting); and
- Requiring hospitalization for transfusion of at least 10 cc of blood/kg of body weight. Consider under a disability for 1 year following the documented transfusion; after that, evaluate the residual impairment(s). OR
Subsection B
Ascites or hydrothorax not attributable to other causes (see 105.00C2b ), present on two evaluations within a consecutive 12-month period and at least 60 days apart. Each evaluation must document the ascites or hydrothorax by 1, 2, or 3: 1. Paracentesis; or 2. Thoracentesis; or 3. Imaging or physical examination with a or b: a. Serum albumin of 3.0 g/dL or less; or b. INR of at least 1.5. OR
- Paracentesis; or
- Thoracentesis; or
- Imaging or physical examination with a or b:
Subsection C
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (see 105.00C2c ) documented by peritoneal fluid containing a neutrophil count of at least 250 cells/mm 3 . OR
Subsection D
Hepatorenal syndrome (see 105.00C2d ) documented by 1, 2, or 3: 1. Serum creatinine elevation of at least 2 mg/dL; or 2. Oliguria with 24-hour urine output less than 1 mL/kg/hr; or 3. Sodium retention with urine sodium less than 10 mEq per liter. OR
- Serum creatinine elevation of at least 2 mg/dL; or
- Oliguria with 24-hour urine output less than 1 mL/kg/hr; or
- Sodium retention with urine sodium less than 10 mEq per liter. OR
Subsection E
Hepatopulmonary syndrome (see 105.00C2e ) documented by 1 or 2: 1. Arterial P a O 2 measured by an ABG test, while at rest, breathing room air, less than or equal to: a. 60 mm Hg, at test sites less than 3,000 feet above sea level; or b. 55 mm Hg, at test sites from 3,000 through 6,000 feet above sea level; or c. 50 mm Hg, at test sites over 6,000 feet above sea level; or 2. Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting as shown on contrast-enhanced echocardiography or macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scan. OR
- Arterial P a O 2 measured by an ABG test, while at rest, breathing room air, less than or equal to:
- Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting as shown on contrast-enhanced echocardiography or macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scan. OR
Subsection F
Hepatic encephalopathy (see 105.00C2f ) with documentation of abnormal behavior, cognitive dysfunction, changes in mental status, or altered state of consciousness (for example, confusion, delirium, stupor, or coma), present on two evaluations within a consecutive 12-month period and at least 60 days apart and either 1 or 2: 1. History of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or other surgical portosystemic shunt; or 2. One of the following on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart within the same consecutive 12-month period as in F: a. Asterixis or other fluctuating physical neurological abnormalities; or b. EEG demonstrating triphasic slow wave activity; or c. Serum albumin of 3.0 g/dL or less; or d. INR of 1.5 or greater. OR
- History of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or other surgical portosystemic shunt; or
- One of the following on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart within the same consecutive 12-month period as in F:
Subsection G
SSA CLD or SSA CLD-P scores (see 105.00C3 ) [ SSA CLD Calculator and SSA CLD-P Calculator ]: 1. For children age 12 or older, two SSA CLD scores of at least 20 within a consecutive 12-month period and at least 60 days apart. Consider under a disability from at least the date of the first score; or 2. For children who have not attained age 12, one SSA CLD-P score of at least 11. OR
- For children age 12 or older, two SSA CLD scores of at least 20 within a consecutive 12-month period and at least 60 days apart. Consider under a disability from at least the date of the first score; or
- For children who have not attained age 12, one SSA CLD-P score of at least 11. OR
Subsection H
Extrahepatic biliary atresia as diagnosed on liver biopsy or intraoperative cholangiogram (see 105.00C4 ). Consider under a disability for 1 year following diagnosis; after that, evaluate the residual impairment(s). Back to Top
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 105.05. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 105.05 usually fail
One failure mode is mixing up which evidence belongs to which option, such as using imaging for ascites or liver findings when the option requires specific documentation like paracentesis or thoracentesis plus the required albumin or INR thresholds. Another pitfall is missing the timing rules that apply to several options, especially ascites/hydrothorax (two evaluations within a consecutive 12-month period at least 60 days apart) and hepatic encephalopathy (two evaluations at least 60 days apart within the same consecutive 12-month period). A third pitfall is not meeting the exact numeric lab cutoffs, such as serum albumin 3.0 g/dL or less, INR at least 1.5, creatinine at least 2 mg/dL, urine sodium less than 10 mEq per liter, or neutrophil count at least 250 cells/mm 3 in peritoneal fluid. A fourth pitfall is overlooking that some options are based on a specific procedure test, like arterial P a O2 on ABG while breathing room air at rest for hepatopulmonary syndrome, or an SSA CLD or SSA CLD-P score threshold in option G.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
For option A, documentation needs hemorrhaging from esophageal, gastric, or ectopic varices, or from portal hypertensive gastropathy, with imaging documentation, plus signs of hemodynamic instability (pallor, diaphoresis, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, postural hypotension, or syncope) and hospitalization for transfusion of at least 10 cc of blood per kg of body weight. For option B, each of two evaluations at least 60 days apart must document ascites or hydrothorax not attributable to other causes, using paracentesis or thoracentesis, or imaging/physical exam with serum albumin 3.0 g/dL or less, or INR at least 1.5. For option C, peritoneal fluid must show neutrophil count at least 250 cells/mm 3. For option D, documentation needs serum creatinine elevation at least 2 mg/dL, or oliguria with 24-hour urine output less than 1 mL/kg/hr, or sodium retention with urine sodium less than 10 mEq per liter. For option E, documentation needs arterial P a O2 measured by ABG at rest breathing room air (with the listed altitude-adjusted thresholds) or intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting on a
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If an exact lettered option is not met, the claim is still evaluated using the child's residual functional abilities and how they affect daily functioning and overall ability to do age-appropriate activities. Steps 4 and 5 focus on what the child can still do despite impairments, including the effects of residual impairment(s) after the required period tied to certain complications. In practice, many claims that do not fit one lettered option are assessed under functional limitations rather than stopping at the Blue Book listing criteria.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
At the start of an SSDI claim, work activity is evaluated using the SGA work-activity gate, and it can limit eligibility if earnings and work activity show the child is able to do substantial work. For this listing specifically, several lettered options (for example, option A requiring hemodynamic instability signs plus hospitalization for transfusion, and option E requiring defined ABG or shunt test findings) describe severe complications that often make sustained work activity difficult, but the listing itself does not state any earnings thresholds or SGA numbers. If approved, ongoing eligibility can continue based on the regular SSA process, including the extended eligibility rules that can apply after a favorable decision.
Listing 105.05 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for chronic liver disease (cld) disability claims.