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Social Security disability for somatic symptom disorder: Blue Book listing 112.07

Listing 112.07 is the SSA Blue Book criteria SSA uses for somatic symptom disorder childhood disability claims. Meeting it at step 3 of the disability evaluation approves the claim without further analysis of past work or other jobs in the national economy. This page covers what SSA looks for, the medical evidence the criteria require, and what happens if your records don't quite match.

Listing code

112.07

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

Somatic symptom and related disorders (see 112.00B6 ), for children age 3 to attainment of age 18, satisfied by A and B: Medical documentation of one or both of the following: Symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function that are not better explained by another medical or mental disorder; or One or more somatic symptoms that are distressing, with excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the symptoms. 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 ).

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 112.07. Last synced 2026-05-04.

Where claims under 112.07 usually fail

One pitfall is focusing only on physical symptoms and missing that listing 112.07 requires documented altered voluntary motor or sensory function that is not better explained by another medical or mental disorder, or documented somatic symptoms with excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the symptoms. Another pitfall is failing to match the functional requirements to the exact mental areas SSA lists: understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt or manage oneself. A third pitfall is treating limitations in general daily functioning as sufficient without tying them to one extreme limitation (one area) or marked limitation (two areas) in those specified areas. A fourth pitfall is assuming this listing fits all ages; SSA restricts 112.07 to children from age 3 to attainment of age 18.

Medical evidence that strengthens this claim

Evidence needs to include medical documentation showing one or both of the symptom patterns in the criteria: symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function that are not better explained by another medical or mental disorder, and/or one or more somatic symptoms that are distressing with excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to the symptoms. Medical records should also address how the child's condition causes extreme limitation in one of the four mental functioning areas (understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt or manage oneself) or marked limitation in two of those areas.

What happens if your records do not meet this listing

For childhood mental disorder listings, approval generally follows the same structure: meeting the medical criteria (the symptom pattern described for 112.07) and the functional criteria (extreme limitation of one area or marked limitation of two areas) together. If those criteria are not satisfied for 112.07, the claim still has a path forward if another mental disorder listing fits better, since children's mental listings are arranged into different categories (including 112.02, 112.03, 112.04, 112.06, and 112.15) with different medical and functional requirements.

Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition

For SSDI, eligibility has to pass the work-activity gate before benefits can start, and the ability to do substantial work is still evaluated even when symptoms are serious. Listing 112.07 uses extreme limitation of one mental functioning area or marked limitation of two areas (understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt or manage oneself). If approved, benefits are then governed by the standard rules that apply after a favorable decision, including the trial work period and extended period of eligibility.

Listing 112.07 FAQ

Questions that come up repeatedly for somatic symptom and related disorders disability claims.