Disability for Chronic Kidney Disease. Dialysis, transplant, and kidney function.

How Social Security evaluates chronic kidney disease

Dialysis. The listing is met by chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.

Transplant. Social Security considers you disabled for one year from a kidney transplant and then reviews what remains.

Reduced kidney function. This requires two measurements at least 90 days apart within 12 months showing serum creatinine of 4 mg/dL or more, creatinine clearance of 20 mL/min or less, or an eGFR of 20 or less, together with one of: bone disease with severe bone pain, severe peripheral neuropathy, fluid overload despite at least 90 days of treatment, or weight loss with a BMI of 18.0 or less.

Separate listings cover nephrotic syndrome and complications requiring three hospitalizations within a 12-month period, at least 30 days apart, each lasting at least 48 hours.

When no listing is met

Most claims are decided on residual functional capacity: what you can still do in a work setting despite your symptoms. Social Security then asks whether any jobs fit those limits. For kidney disease, limits include fatigue, swelling, time lost to dialysis sessions, and recovery after each session.

Evidence that matters

• Nephrology records and lab results over at least several months.
• Dialysis records, including schedule and start date.
• Transplant records and anti-rejection medication history.
• Records of fluid overload, blood pressure, and hospital stays.
• Notes on fatigue, appetite, and weight.

Ask your doctor to complete the physical impairments form in our free doctor forms. It records your limits in the terms Social Security uses.

Why these claims are denied

• Only one lab result in the qualifying range.
• Kidney function not yet low enough and no complications documented.
• Dialysis schedule and recovery time not described.
• Related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease not considered together.

Dialysis and a work schedule

If you are not yet on dialysis but are being prepared for it, tell us. The date dialysis begins and your treatment schedule are among the most important facts in the file.

If you are 50 or older

Under Social Security’s grid rules, a person limited to sedentary work at 50, or light work at 55, may be found disabled depending on education and past work.

Next steps

If you have been denied, you have 60 days to appeal. See what to do after a denial in Arizona, SSDI in Arizona, and SSI in Arizona. There is no fee unless benefits are awarded.

J Disability Law Firm, PLLC · Joseph J. Duerst, Attorney · 18444 N. 25th Ave, Suite 420, Phoenix, AZ 85023 · (602) 607-0000. This page is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Past results do not predict the outcome of your case.