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Social Security disability for parkinsonian syndrome: Blue Book listing 11.06

Listing 11.06 is the SSA Blue Book criteria SSA uses for parkinsonian syndrome 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

11.06

Adult (Part A)

Body system

11.00

Neurological disorders

Subsections

2

Lettered criteria paths

Step in evaluation

3 of 5

Listing match approves the claim

SSA listing text and criteria

Parkinsonian syndrome , characterized by A or B despite adherence to prescribed treatment for at least 3 consecutive months (see 11.00C ):

Subsection A

Disorganization of motor function in two extremities (see 11.00D1 ), resulting in an extreme limitation (see 11.00D2 ) in the ability to stand up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, or use the upper extremities. OR

Subsection B

Marked limitation (see 11.00G2 ) in physical functioning (see 11.00G3a ), and in one of the following: Understanding, remembering, or applying information (see 11.00G3b(i) ); or Interacting with others (see 11.00G3b(ii) ); or Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace (see 11.00G3b(iii) ); or Adapting or managing oneself (see 11.00G3b(iv) ).

Source: SSA Blue Book listing 11.06. Last synced 2026-05-04.

Where claims under 11.06 usually fail

One common pitfall is claiming the diagnosis alone qualifies, without showing the lettered functional limits in subsection A or subsection B. Another pitfall is missing the treatment requirement, because the listing is framed as parkinsonian syndrome characterized by A or B despite adherence to prescribed treatment for at least 3 consecutive months. A further pitfall is matching only part of subsection B, since it requires marked limitation in physical functioning plus marked limitation in one specified mental area (understanding, interacting, concentrating, or adapting or managing oneself). Another failure mode is describing motor problems in one limb or not tying the problems to the specific extremes in standing up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, or use of the upper extremities for subsection A.

Medical evidence that strengthens this claim

Documentation needs to support both the underlying parkinsonian syndrome and the functional limitations required by 11.06A or 11.06B. For subsection A, records should describe disorganization of motor function in two extremities and the resulting extreme limitations in standing up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, or use of the upper extremities. For subsection B, records should show marked limitation in physical functioning and then show marked limitation in one of the listed mental functional areas, such as understanding, remembering, or applying information; or interacting with others; or concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or adapting or managing oneself. The file should also contain information supporting adherence to prescribed treatment for at least 3 consecutive months despite symptoms.

What happens if your records do not meet this listing

If the exact criteria in 11.06A or 11.06B are not met, the claim is still evaluated using the overall residual functional capacity (RFC), meaning what tasks the medical condition(s) still allow despite symptoms. The same physical and mental limitation themes still matter, but the RFC analysis translates the limitations into work-related abilities rather than using the lettered thresholds directly. For many claimants over 50, the medical-vocational assessment has a strong influence when limitations substantially reduce the range of work the individual can do.

Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition

For SSDI, the SGA work-activity gate applies at the start of the claim, and the central question is whether work activity rises to the level of substantial gainful activity while having parkinsonian syndrome with the type of severe limitations described in 11.06A or 11.06B. If work is not substantial gainful activity, the case moves through the medical evaluation. If approved based on 11.06A or 11.06B, eligibility generally continues under the trial work period and then into the extended period of eligibility, based on work activity after approval rather than on a change in the medical diagnosis itself.

Listing 11.06 FAQ

Questions that come up repeatedly for parkinsonian syndrome , characterized by a or b despite adherence to prescribed treatment for at least 3 consecutive months disability claims.