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Muscular Dystrophy and Social Security Disability

Listing 11.13, motor criteria, and named CAL verification

Last Updated September 17, 2026

Conditions Center · Neurological · Social Security Disability

Also called MD, dystrophinopathy, myotonic dystrophy (MD).

Muscular dystrophy can support SSDI or SSI when documented weakness meets Listing 11.13 or when residual function rules out sustained work. The type of dystrophy, current strength, walking and arm use, and breathing or swallowing involvement matter. A genetic label or a family history is not an approval.

What is Muscular Dystrophy?

NINDS describes muscular dystrophies as a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive muscle weakness. Types include Duchenne, Becker, myotonic, facioscapulohumeral, limb-girdle, and congenital forms, among others. Onset, rate of progression, and organs involved differ. Respiratory and cardiac complications occur in some types.

Common symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy

  • Progressive weakness of the limbs, trunk, or face depending on type
  • Difficulty rising from a chair, climbing, or walking
  • Reduced grip, overhead reach, or fine motor control
  • Fatigue with repeated movement
  • Breathing, swallowing, or heart involvement in some types

How can Muscular Dystrophy affect a person’s ability to work?

  • Inability to stand, walk, lift, or use both arms at a competitive pace
  • Need for a wheelchair, braces, or other mobility devices
  • Absences for cardiology, pulmonary, or multidisciplinary clinic care
  • Reduced stamina and extra time for transfers
  • Safety limits around heights, machinery, or prolonged standing

Does Social Security have a Listing for Muscular Dystrophy?

Social Security currently has listing criteria that may apply: 11.13 (Muscular dystrophy). Meeting a listing requires the specific medical findings in that listing, not only the diagnosis.

Listing 11.13 is met by A (disorganization of motor function in two extremities resulting in extreme limitation standing up, balancing while standing or walking, or using the upper extremities) or B (marked limitation in physical functioning plus marked limitation in one mental area). The listing is not a diagnosis-equals-approval rule.

SSA applies Listing 11.13’s motor or combined physical-and-mental criteria. Cardiac or respiratory complications may also be evaluated under the heart or lung listings when those criteria are independently met. If 11.13 is not met, SSA assesses RFC, including endurance and use of assistive devices.

Can you qualify if you do not meet an SSA Listing?

Yes. Weakness that does not meet 11.13’s extreme or marked combination criteria may still preclude work through RFC.

What medical evidence may help document Muscular Dystrophy?

  • Neurology records identifying the dystrophy type and clinical course
  • Serial strength, gait, and transfer examinations
  • Genetic or muscle-biopsy results when obtained
  • Pulmonary-function and cardiac evaluations when clinically indicated
  • Therapy and equipment records

Testing, imaging, and laboratory studies

  • CK and other muscle enzymes when used in diagnosis
  • Genetic testing for the suspected type
  • EMG, biopsy, or imaging as part of the clinical workup
  • Spirometry or echocardiogram when those systems are involved

There is no single treatment for all dystrophies. Records should show steroids or other disease-modifying therapy when used, contracture management, respiratory support, and reasons a person cannot complete therapy.

How SSA may evaluate residual functional capacity

RFC should describe a typical day of transfers, walking distance, and arm use, not a one-time clinic hallway walk.

Supported limits may reduce standing, walking, lifting, climbing, and bilateral arm use. Documented need for a wheelchair or two-handed device is vocationally important.

Common issues that can weaken a disability claim involving Muscular Dystrophy

Calling every muscular dystrophy a CAL condition; submitting only a genetic report without current function; or omitting respiratory and cardiac complications.

What may strengthen the medical documentation

A typed diagnosis, serial neuromuscular examinations, and current mobility and pulmonary records.

Muscular Dystrophy and related medical conditions

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — A progressive motor neuron disease evaluated under Listing 11.10. Adult ALS is also on SSA’s Compassionate Allowances list for expedited case processing when the documented diagnosis meets applicable rules.
  • Multiple Sclerosis — A central nervous system disease that can affect movement, vision, sensation, fatigue, and cognition. SSA evaluates multiple sclerosis under Listing 11.09 when its specific criteria are documented.
  • Myasthenia Gravis — Listing 11.12 evaluates myasthenia gravis despite adherence to prescribed treatment for at least three months. A positive antibody test is not an approval.
  • Spinal Cord Injury — SSA evaluates spinal cord disorders under Listing 11.08. Complete loss of function or specified motor and mental limits must persist three consecutive months after the disorder.

How Brock & Stout may help

We compare neuromuscular evidence with Listing 11.13, verify named CAL entries, and develop RFC for residual weakness. Representation cannot guarantee approval.

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If Muscular Dystrophy is affecting your ability to work, Brock & Stout can review the claim, look for missing medical evidence, and discuss next steps. We do not charge a fee for SSD representation unless we win.

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This page is general educational information about Social Security Disability as of the date of this publication. It is not legal or medical advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee results. Eligibility depends on individual facts and current Social Security rules.