Listing code
14.05
Adult (Part A)
Body system
14.00
Immune system disorders
Subsections
5
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Polymyositis and dermatomyositis . As described in 14.00D4 . With:
Subsection A
Proximal limb-girdle (pelvic or shoulder) muscle weakness and medical documentation of at least one of the following: A documented medical need (see 14.00C6 ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 1.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 1.00C6e(i) ); or An inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements (see 14.00C7 ), and a documented medical need (see 14.00C6 ) for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device (see 1.00C6d ) that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand (see 1.00C6e(ii) ); or An inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements (see 14.00C7 ); OR
Subsection B
Impaired swallowing (dysphagia) with aspiration due to muscle weakness. OR
Subsection C
Impaired respiration due to intercostal and diaphragmatic muscle weakness. OR
Subsection D
Diffuse calcinosis with limitation of joint mobility or intestinal motility. OR
Subsection E
Repeated manifestations of polymyositis or dermatomyositis, with at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss) and one of the following at the marked level: 1. Limitation of activities of daily living. 2. Limitation in maintaining social functioning. 3. Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace. Back to Top
- Limitation of activities of daily living.
- Limitation in maintaining social functioning.
- Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace. Back to Top
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 14.05. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 14.05 usually fail
A frequent failure mode is matching only the diagnosis of polymyositis/dermatomyositis without meeting one of the lettered pathways A, B, C, D, or E. Another common problem is describing generalized weakness but not the required pattern in Subsection A, such as proximal limb-girdle (pelvic or shoulder) weakness tied to the documented need for a walker, bilateral canes, bilateral crutches, or a wheeled and seated mobility device with the stated hand-use conditions. Some claims miss because they do not document the specific functional consequences required for A, B, or C, like dysphagia with aspiration due to muscle weakness, or impaired respiration due to intercostal and diaphragmatic muscle weakness. For Subsection E, a common pitfall is having constitutional symptoms alone, or having constitutional symptoms plus only one marked-level daily-social-speed item, instead of at least two constitutional symptoms or signs plus one of the three marked-level limitations.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Documentation needs to tie polymyositis/dermatomyositis to the required functional findings in A through E. For Subsection A, medical records should show proximal limb-girdle (pelvic or shoulder) muscle weakness and document at least one of the mobility-device needs (walker, bilateral canes, bilateral crutches, or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving both hands), or the specific upper-extremity inability described for work-related fine and gross movements plus the documented medical need for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device requiring the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving one hand. For Subsection B, records should document impaired swallowing (dysphagia) with aspiration due to muscle weakness. For Subsection C, records should document impaired respiration due to intercostal and diaphragmatic muscle weakness. For Subsection D, records should document diffuse calcinosis with limitation of joint mobility or intestinal motility. For Subsection E, records should show repeated manifestations plus at least two constitutional symptoms or
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If none of the lettered criteria (A through E) are met at the medical-criteria level, the case generally moves to an assessment of what can still be done despite the condition. This uses residual functional capacity to evaluate the functional limits that remain. If limitations are supported but do not exactly match the listing, approval can still happen later in the process based on how those limits affect work-related abilities, including the role of the medical-vocational step when relevant.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
Before approval, work capacity is assessed at the start of the SSDI process using the substantial gainful activity (SGA) concept. If work is above SGA, SSA generally treats the claim differently, regardless of diagnosis, because the person is still performing work at the SGA level. If approved, any later work is evaluated under trial work and extended period of eligibility rules, so working can happen while benefits continue for a period even with disability-level impairments. For this specific listing, the criteria focus on severe functional effects like mobility-device needs from proximal limb-girdle weakness (Subsection A) and swallowing or breathing problems from muscle weakness (Subsections B and C), which are the kinds of impacts that can make sustained work difficult.
Listing 14.05 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for polymyositis and dermatomyositis disability claims.