Listing code
101.15
Children (Part B)
Body system
101.00
Musculoskeletal disorders (children)
Subsections
4
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s) (see 101.00F ), documented by A, B, C, and D:
Subsection A
Neuro-anatomic (radicular) distribution of one or more of the following symptoms consistent with compromise of the affected nerve root(s): 1. Pain; or 2. Paresthesia; or 3. Muscle fatigue. AND
- Pain; or
- Paresthesia; or
- Muscle fatigue. AND
Subsection B
Radicular distribution of neurological signs present during physical examination (see 101.00C2 ) or on a diagnostic test (see 101.00C3 ) and evidenced by 1, 2, and either 3 or 4: 1. Muscle weakness; and 2. Sign(s) of nerve root irritation, tension, or compression, consistent with compromise of the affected nerve root (see 101.00F2 ) 3. Sensory changes evidenced by: a. Decreased sensation; or b. Sensory nerve deficit (abnormal sensory nerve latency) on electrodiagnostic testing; or 4. Decreased deep tendon reflexes. AND
- Muscle weakness; and
- Sign(s) of nerve root irritation, tension, or compression, consistent with compromise of the affected nerve root (see 101.00F2 )
- Sensory changes evidenced by:
- Decreased deep tendon reflexes. AND
Subsection C
Findings on imaging (see 101.00C3 ) consistent with compromise of a nerve root(s) in the cervical or lumbosacral spine. AND
Subsection D
Impairment-related physical limitation of musculoskeletal functioning that has lasted, or is expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months, and medical documentation of at least one of the following: 1. A documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 101.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 101.00C6e(i) ); or 2. An inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements (see 101.00E4 ), and a documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device (see 101.00C6d ) that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand (see 101.00C6e(ii) ); or 3. An inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements (see 101.00E4 ).
- A documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 101.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 101.00C6e(i) ); or
- An inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements (see 101.00E4 ), and a documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device (see 101.00C6d ) that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand (see 101.00C6e(ii) ); or
- An inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements (see 101.00E4 ).
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 101.15. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 101.15 usually fail
One failure mode is having only one piece of the picture, such as imaging findings without the documented radicular distribution of symptoms (pain, paresthesia, or muscle fatigue) and without radicular neurologic signs. Another failure mode is mixing distributions, where symptoms or exam findings are described but not as a neuro-anatomic (radicular) distribution consistent with the affected nerve root(s). A third failure mode is missing the long-duration functional requirement in Subsection D, which specifically ties the 12-month period to either walker/bilateral canes/bilateral crutches or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands, or to upper-extremity fine and gross movement limits tied to the specified one-handed or mobility-device assistive-device needs. A fourth failure mode is overlooking the exact neurologic sign options in Subsection B, such as decreased deep tendon reflexes, sensory changes (decreased sensation or abnormal sensory nerve latency on electrodiagnostic testing), or muscle weakness with nerve root irritation/tension/compression signs.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Strong documentation will include: (1) medical notes describing radicular symptoms in a neuro-anatomic distribution (pain, paresthesia, and/or muscle fatigue) consistent with compromise of the affected nerve root(s) (Subsection A); (2) a physical exam and/or diagnostic test result showing radicular neurologic signs that include muscle weakness plus signs of nerve root irritation, tension, or compression, and sensory changes (decreased sensation and/or sensory nerve deficit such as abnormal sensory nerve latency on electrodiagnostic testing) and/or decreased deep tendon reflexes (Subsection B); (3) imaging findings consistent with nerve root compromise in the cervical or lumbosacral spine (Subsection C); and (4) evidence of an impairment-related physical limitation lasting or expected to last at least 12 months, tied to the specified mobility or upper-extremity use needs in Subsection D. For the sensory and reflex components in Subsection B, electrodiagnostic testing is relevant for abnormal sensory nerve latency, and the exam should document decreased deep tendon reflexes if that is
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
This listing is a straight checklist across Subsections A through D. If the symptoms and exam/test findings do not show the required radicular distribution and neurologic signs in Subsection B, or the imaging does not show nerve root compromise in the cervical or lumbosacral spine in Subsection C, the listing is not met. Many cases that do not meet the listing can still be decided based on what a child can do despite the impairment (residual functional capacity), and the overall decision process can consider other ways the condition limits functioning when the precise listing-level criteria are not fully satisfied.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For a child SSDI/SSI case involving this listing, the work rules use the SGA concept for earnings activity, and eligibility depends on the overall disability rules for children. Separately, if this condition is severe enough to produce the Subsection A radicular symptoms, Subsection B nerve-root neurologic signs (such as muscle weakness and nerve root irritation/tension/compression, sensory changes, and/or decreased deep tendon reflexes), plus Subsection C imaging findings, and the Subsection D 12-month physical limitation with the specified mobility or upper-extremity assistive-device needs, approval can be supported by this listing framework. If approved, ongoing eligibility generally follows normal program rules for continuing disability, including potential reviews over time; work activity can also affect eligibility depending on the child program rules for continuing disability.
Listing 101.15 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for disorders of the skeletal spine resulting in compromise of a nerve root(s) disability claims.