Listing code
112.06
Children (Part B)
Body system
112.00
Mental disorders (children)
Subsections
0
No lettered criteria
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders (see 112.00B5 ), for children age 3 to attainment of age 18, satisfied by A and B, or A and C: Medical documentation of the requirements of paragraph 1, 2, 3, or 4: Anxiety disorder, characterized by one or more of the following: Restlessness; Easily fatigued; Difficulty concentrating; Irritability; Muscle tension; or Sleep disturbance. Panic disorder or agoraphobia, characterized by one or both: Panic attacks followed by a persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences; or Disproportionate fear or anxiety about at least two different situations (for example, using public transportation, being in a crowd, being in a line, being outside of your home, being in open spaces). Obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by one or both: Involuntary, time-consuming preoccupation with intrusive, unwanted thoughts; or; Repetitive behaviors that appear aimed at reducing anxiety. Excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from those to whom you are attached. AND Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning (see 112.00F ): Understand, remember, or apply information (see 112.00E1 ). Interact with others (see 112.00E2 ). Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace (see 112.00E3 ). Adapt or manage oneself (see 112.00E4 ). OR Your mental disorder in this listing category is "serious and persistent;" that is, you have a medically documented history of the existence of the disorder over a period of at least 2 years, and there is evidence of both: Medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support(s), or a highly structured setting(s) that is ongoing and that diminishes the symptoms and signs of your mental disorder (see 112.00G2b ); and Marginal adjustment, that is, you have minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment or to demands that are not already part of your daily life (see 112.00G2c ).
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 112.06. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 112.06 usually fail
One common failure mode is having a diagnosis but missing the symptom features SSA lists for 112.06, such as sleep disturbance, muscle tension, panic attacks plus ongoing worry, or involuntary time-consuming intrusive thoughts. Another failure mode is skipping the functional criteria, since SSA requires extreme limitation in one area or marked limitation in two areas from the specific mental functioning list (understand/remember/apply, interact with others, concentrate/persist/maintain pace, or adapt/manage oneself). A third pitfall is not matching the correct 'serious and persistent' pathway, which requires both (1) a medically documented history for at least 2 years with ongoing treatment/therapy/supports or a highly structured setting that diminishes symptoms, and (2) marginal adjustment, meaning minimal capacity to adapt to changes that are not already part of daily life. A fourth pitfall is mixing categories within childhood mental disorders, since 112.06 is specifically for anxiety and OCD and not for other mental disorder listings like depressive or trauma-related disorders.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Medical documentation should show the diagnosis-supported symptom patterns named for 112.06: anxiety disorder signs (restlessness, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance), panic disorder or agoraphobia features (panic attacks with persistent concern about more panic, or disproportionate fear about at least two different situations), or OCD features (intrusive unwanted thoughts that are time-consuming, or repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety). Documentation also needs to support the level of limitation in the specific mental functioning areas listed (understand/remember/apply information; interact with others; concentrate/persist/maintain pace; adapt/manage oneself). SSA also accepts the alternative 'serious and persistent' route when the medical record shows a medically documented history of the disorder over at least 2 years plus evidence of ongoing treatment/therapy/psychosocial supports or highly structured settings that diminish symptoms, along with marginal adjustment. The listing does not require specific test names,
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
Step 4 and Step 5 generally come after comparing the medical pattern to the listing criteria. If the anxiety/OCD symptoms and the degree of limitation do not match 112.06 exactly, the claim can still be decided based on residual functional capacity, meaning what the child can do despite symptoms. If the disorder is not 'serious and persistent' under 112.06, the claim may still move forward, but it will rely on functional limits rather than a listing match.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For SSDI disability claims, work activity can prevent approval if the child's work rises to the level SSA counts as substantial work, even when symptoms exist. This listing focuses on anxiety/OCD symptoms and the required limitations in mental functioning, such as extreme limitation in one area (for example, concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace) or marked limitation in two areas (for example, interacting with others and adapting or managing oneself). If approved, work attempts are generally evaluated under the SSA process for people who receive benefits, and the extended eligibility concepts apply after the initial approval period. The listing itself does not provide any work-activity dollar thresholds.
Listing 112.06 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders disability claims.