Listing code
12.15
Adult (Part A)
Body system
12.00
Mental disorders
Subsections
0
No lettered criteria
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Trauma- and stressor-related disorders (see 12.00B11 ), satisfied by A and B, or A and C: Medical documentation of all of the following: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence; Subsequent involuntary re-experiencing of the traumatic event (for example, intrusive memories, dreams, or flashbacks); Avoidance of external reminders of the event; Disturbance in mood and behavior; and Increases in arousal and reactivity (for example, exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbance). AND Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning (see 12.00F ): Understand, remember, or apply information (see 12.00E1 ). Interact with others (see 12.00E2 ). Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace (see 12.00E3 ). Adapt or manage oneself (see 12.00E4 ). 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 12.00G2b ); 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 12.00G2c ). Support Contact us Find an office Forms Publications Report fraud Languages Español Other languages Plain language Services for Employers & businesses Government agencies Other groups Representatives About Careers Chief actuary data Communications Financial reports Initiatives Research & policy Social Security Administration <path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M0 15C0 6.716 6.716 0 15 0a15 15 0 0 1 15 15c0 8.284-6.716 15-15 15-8.284 0-15-6.716-15-15Zm19.035 9A4.98 4.98 0 0 0 24 19.035v-8.07A4.98 4.98 0 0 0 19.035 6h-8.07A4.98 4.98 0 0 0 6 10.965v8.07A4.98 4.98 0 0 0 10.965 24h8.07ZM15 12a3 3 0 1 0 0 6 3 3 0 0 0 0-6Zm4.035-4.41a3.375 3.375 0 0 1 3.375 3.375v8.07a3.375 3.375 0 0 1-3.375 3.375h-8.07a3.375 3.375 0 0 1-3.375-3.
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 12.15. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 12.15 usually fail
One frequent problem is missing one of the required symptom groups, like only having avoidance without the documented re-experiencing or increased arousal/reactivity symptoms. Another pitfall is focusing on the diagnosis while not addressing the four areas of mental functioning using the listing's functional standard (extreme in one area, or marked in two). People also trip up by describing symptoms generally without tying them to the specific functional areas SSA assesses: understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; and adapt or manage oneself. Finally, some claims miss the "serious and persistent" alternative track that requires a medically documented history for at least 2 years plus the ongoing treatment or structured support and evidence of marginal adjustment.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
SSA needs medical documentation of all required trauma and stressor symptom elements: exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence; subsequent involuntary re-experiencing (intrusive memories, dreams, flashbacks); avoidance of external reminders; disturbance in mood and behavior; and increases in arousal and reactivity (for example, exaggerated startle response and sleep disturbance). For the "serious and persistent" alternative, SSA looks for a medically documented history of the disorder for at least 2 years, ongoing medical treatment and/or mental health therapy and/or psychosocial supports and/or a highly structured setting that diminishes symptoms and signs, and evidence of marginal adjustment, meaning minimal capacity to adapt to changes not already part of daily life.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
This listing can be met in two ways: either the full symptom cluster plus the functional threshold (extreme in one area or marked in two), or the "serious and persistent" standard with at least 2 years of medically documented history plus ongoing treatment or structured support and marginal adjustment. If those exact criteria are not satisfied, the claim can still be evaluated based on residual functional capacity (RFC), which is how the mental disorder limits work-related functioning. Under the general mental-disorders evaluation framework, that RFC assessment is compared to what work requires, using the rating-scale style areas of mental functioning (understand, remember, or apply information; interact with others; concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; adapt or manage oneself).
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
SSDI claims generally must show the person is not working at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level, before SSA considers the medical severity. Whether a person with the severe trauma-related criteria in 12.15 can do sustained SGA-level work depends on the actual level of limitation in the four areas of mental functioning (extreme in one area or marked in two, or the serious and persistent standard with marginal adjustment). If approved, trial work and extended period of eligibility rules can allow continued work attempts after entitlement for people who meet medical criteria for disability under 12.15, but eligibility for those phases depends on work activity and timing rather than on a dollar amount tied to the listing text.
Listing 12.15 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for trauma- and stressor-related disorders disability claims.