Listing code
7.10
Adult (Part A)
Body system
7.00
Hematological disorders
Subsections
0
No lettered criteria
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Disorders of bone marrow failure, including myelodysplastic syndromes, aplastic anemia, granulocytopenia, and myelofibrosis (see 7.00E ), with: Complications of bone marrow failure requiring at least three hospitalizations within a 12-month period and occurring at least 30 days apart. Each hospitalization must last at least 48 hours, which can include hours in a hospital emergency department immediately before the hospitalization (see 7.00E2 ). OR Myelodysplastic syndromes or aplastic anemias requiring life-long RBC transfusions at least once every 6 weeks to maintain life (see 7.00E3 ). C. Intractable bone pain with radiologic evidence of osteosclerosis. --> Back to Top 7.15 Chronic granulocytopenia (due to any cause) . With both A and B: A. Absolute neutrophil counts repeatedly below 1,000 cells/cubic millimeter; and B. Documented recurrent systemic bacterial infections occurring at least 3 times during the 5 months prior to -->
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 7.10. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 7.10 usually fail
A common failure mode is having a bone marrow diagnosis documented, but not meeting the hospitalization pattern (three hospitalizations within 12 months, at least 30 days apart, with each lasting at least 48 hours). Another pitfall is missing the transfusion frequency requirement for myelodysplastic syndromes or aplastic anemia, because this listing requires life-long RBC transfusions at least once every 6 weeks to maintain life. A third pitfall is having bone pain but not also having radiologic evidence of osteosclerosis. A fourth pitfall is trying to use general infections or general symptoms without matching the listing's required path and timing, since this listing does not provide an alternative severity route beyond the three criteria stated.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
SSA needs medical evidence that establishes a hematological disorder with a laboratory report of a definitive test that establishes the disorder (signed by a physician), or a laboratory report without a physician signature plus a physician report stating the disorder, or a persuasive physician report confirming that the diagnosis was established by appropriate definitive lab tests or other diagnostic methods with results included. For the hospitalization path, documentation should show complication-related hospitalizations that total at least three within 12 months, that each hospitalization lasts at least 48 hours (including emergency department hours immediately before the hospitalization), and that the hospitalizations are at least 30 days apart. For the transfusion path, records should support life-long RBC transfusions for myelodysplastic syndromes or aplastic anemia at least once every 6 weeks to maintain life. For the bone pain path, records should document intractable bone pain and show imaging results reporting radiologic evidence of osteosclerosis. (This listing itself does
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If one of the three severity paths is missing, the claim generally moves to how much work-related functioning remains (residual functional capacity, or RFC). That means even without matching this exact listing, the overall medical picture can still be evaluated for whether the person can do work activity consistently. Some people are also found under other hematological listings when the evidence and pattern match a different code in the same body system.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For SSDI, the usual work-activity rules apply at the start of the claim, and the ability to perform substantial work activity can affect whether benefits can be paid while working. This listing is written around severe bone marrow failure complications, including repeated hospitalization timing, or life-long RBC transfusion needs at least once every 6 weeks to maintain life, or intractable bone pain with radiologic osteosclerosis. Those factors typically indicate major ongoing limitations, but whether work activity is possible is still decided using the overall medical and functional evidence. If approved, eligibility after approval follows the standard SSA pattern that includes the trial work period and then continued eligibility under the extended period of eligibility.
Listing 7.10 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for disorders of bone marrow failure, including myelodysplastic syndromes, aplastic anemia, granulocytopenia, and myelofibrosis disability claims.