United States · Social Security disability · Blue Book
SSA listing 12.15: trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
The adult Blue Book listing, quoted as printed and explained in plain terms.
Listing 12.15 is met by paragraph A plus B, or A plus C. Unlike the "one or more" lists in other listings, paragraph A requires medical documentation of all five elements: exposure to death, serious injury or violence; re-experiencing; avoidance; disturbance in mood and behavior; and increased arousal and reactivity.
The short version
Listing 12.15 is met by paragraph A plus B, or A plus C. Unlike the "one or more" lists in other listings, paragraph A requires medical documentation of all five elements: exposure to death, serious injury or violence; re-experiencing; avoidance; disturbance in mood and behavior; and increased arousal and reactivity.
The text below is the adult listing from 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 as published on the eCFR, current through October 29, 2026 and read on November 2, 2026. Children are evaluated under the 112.xx series; this page covers only the adult listing.
Listing 12.15 as printed
Listing 12.15, as printed (adult listing)
12.15 Trauma- and stressor-related disorders (see 12.00B11), satisfied by A and B, or A and C:
A. Medical documentation of all of the following:
1. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence;
2. Subsequent involuntary re-experiencing of the traumatic event (for example, intrusive memories, dreams, or flashbacks);
3. Avoidance of external reminders of the event;
4. Disturbance in mood and behavior; and
5. Increases in arousal and reactivity (for example, exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbance).
AND B. Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning (see 12.00F): 1. Understand, remember, or apply information (see 12.00E1). 2. Interact with others (see 12.00E2). 3. Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace (see 12.00E3). 4. Adapt or manage oneself (see 12.00E4).
OR C. 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:
1. 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
2. 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).
How listing 12.15 is built
Listing 12.15 is the last mental-disorder listing in the adult series and the one that covers posttraumatic stress disorder. It follows the three-paragraph pattern in section 12.00A2: paragraphs A and B, or A and C.
What distinguishes it from its neighbours is paragraph A. Most of the other listings use "one or more" or a counted threshold. Here the text says "Medical documentation of all of the following," followed by five numbered elements. Each one has to be documented. That is a plain reading of the text: "all" is not "any."
Paragraph A in plain terms
The five elements read as a sequence. Element 1 is the exposure (actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence). Elements 2 to 5 are the aftermath: involuntary re-experiencing (the regulation's examples are intrusive memories, dreams and flashbacks), avoidance of external reminders, a disturbance in mood and behavior, and increases in arousal and reactivity (exaggerated startle response and sleep disturbance are the examples given).
The category description in section 12.00B11 is broader than the listing's element 1. It speaks of "experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or stressful event, or learning of a traumatic event occurring to a close family member or close friend." The listing itself, though, is what paragraph A requires, and element 1 is worded as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence. A reader should work from the listing text, not from the category description, when asking what must be documented.
Section 12.00B11b names posttraumatic stress disorder and "other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorders" as examples, and 12.00B11c says the category does not include disorders evaluated under anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders (12.06).
What the regulation says this category covers (12.00B11)
12.00B11, quoted
These disorders are characterized by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or stressful event, or learning of a traumatic event occurring to a close family member or close friend, and the psychological aftermath of clinically significant effects on functioning. Symptoms and signs may include, but are not limited to, distressing memories, dreams, and flashbacks related to the trauma or stressor; avoidant behavior; diminished interest or participation in significant activities; persistent negative emotional states (for example, fear, anger) or persistent inability to experience positive emotions (for example, satisfaction, affection); anxiety; irritability; aggression; exaggerated startle response; difficulty concentrating; and sleep disturbance.
Examples of disorders that we evaluate in this category include posttraumatic stress disorder and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorders (such as adjustment-like disorders with prolonged duration without prolonged duration of stressor).
TNAADO's reading: the category description and the examples tell you which kinds of conditions are assessed here. They are not extra criteria. The criteria are the paragraphs of the listing itself.
Paragraph B: the four areas and the five-point scale
Paragraph B is a functional test. SSA rates the effect of the disorder on four areas of mental functioning on a five-point scale (12.00F2) and the listing is satisfied by extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two.
| Paragraph B area | What 12.00E says it refers to (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Understand, remember, or apply information (12.00E1) | This area of mental functioning refers to the abilities to learn, recall, and use information to perform work activities. |
| Interact with others (12.00E2) | This area of mental functioning refers to the abilities to relate to and work with supervisors, co-workers, and the public. |
| Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace (12.00E3) | This area of mental functioning refers to the abilities to focus attention on work activities and stay on task at a sustained rate. |
| Adapt or manage oneself (12.00E4) | This area of mental functioning refers to the abilities to regulate emotions, control behavior, and maintain well-being in a work setting. |
| Point on the scale | Definition (12.00F2, quoted) |
|---|---|
| None | You are able to function in this area independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis. |
| Mild | Your functioning in this area independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis is slightly limited. |
| Moderate | Your functioning in this area independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis is fair. |
| Marked | Your functioning in this area independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis is seriously limited. |
| Extreme | You are not able to function in this area independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis. |
After paragraph A, the functional test is the one used across the mental listings. SSA rates four areas on a five-point scale and requires extreme limitation of one or marked limitation of two.
For trauma-related conditions several of the regulation's own examples line up with the picture in paragraph A. Under "concentrate, persist, or maintain pace," the examples include "ignoring or avoiding distractions while working" and "sustaining an ordinary routine and regular attendance at work." Under "interact with others," they include "responding to requests, suggestions, criticism, correction, and challenges." Under "adapt or manage oneself," they include "responding to demands," "adapting to changes" and "managing your psychologically based symptoms." These are illustrations of what each area means, not requirements; the regulation says "We do not require documentation of all of the examples."
Paragraph C: "serious and persistent"
Paragraph C offers a second route for a "serious and persistent" disorder: a documented history of at least two years, with ongoing treatment or supports that diminish symptoms (C1) and only marginal adjustment (C2). Section 12.00G2c explains that marginal adjustment means "minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment or to demands that are not already part of your daily life."
Section 12.00F4 on exacerbations and remissions is relevant to disorders whose symptoms fluctuate. SSA will consider how often exacerbations occur, how long they last and what causes worsening or improvement, and asks whether the area can be used on a regular and continuing basis.
Reading 12.15 next to its neighbours
If a person's picture is better described as anxiety, panic or obsessive-compulsive symptoms without the trauma exposure and aftermath in paragraph A, the relevant listing is 12.06. Mood-disorder symptoms are assessed under 12.04. The category rules in section 12.00B decide which listing applies; they are not interchangeable.
What this page does not do
It does not diagnose, say which listing applies to you, estimate an outcome or advise on a claim. A listing is only one step: Social Security also decides disability through other steps and considers evidence this page does not reproduce. The regulation text changes over time; check the linked eCFR page for the current version.
Frequently asked questions
Does paragraph A of listing 12.15 require all five elements?
Yes. The text says "Medical documentation of all of the following," then lists exposure, re-experiencing, avoidance, disturbance in mood and behavior, and increases in arousal and reactivity.
Is PTSD evaluated under listing 12.15?
Yes. Section 12.00B11b names posttraumatic stress disorder as an example of a disorder evaluated in this category.
What are the ways to satisfy the listing after paragraph A?
Paragraph B (extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of four areas of mental functioning) or paragraph C (serious and persistent, with marginal adjustment).
What is the difference between 12.15 and 12.06?
Section 12.00B5c says the anxiety and obsessive-compulsive category (12.06) does not include the disorders evaluated under trauma- and stressor-related disorders (12.15).
Do all the examples in paragraph B have to be documented?
No. Section 12.00E says of each area that the examples illustrate its nature and "We do not require documentation of all of the examples."
Does this page tell me whether I meet listing 12.15?
No. It reproduces the published criteria. Social Security decides disability, and this page is not medical or claim advice.
Sources
Read directly from the primary sources below on November 2, 2026 (eCFR text current through October 29, 2026). Quotations are the regulation text as printed; anything labelled as a reading is TNAADO's. The listings are amended and re-extended from time to time, so confirm the current text on the linked pages.
- 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, Listing of Impairments (eCFR, current through October 29, 2026; read November 2, 2026)
- 20 CFR Part 404 Subpart P, Determining Disability and Blindness (eCFR; read November 2, 2026)
- Social Security Administration, Disability Evaluation Under Social Security (Blue Book) index (checked November 2, 2026; direct page fetches return 403, so the regulation text on eCFR was used)
Reference, not an SSA determination, medical advice or claim advice
Listing criteria quoted from 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 as of October 29, 2026 (eCFR). This page reproduces published criteria so you can read them; it does not diagnose, tell you whether you meet a listing, estimate an outcome or advise on a claim. Social Security decides disability using the full process in its regulations, including provisions this page does not reproduce. It is not legal, financial or medical advice; a benefits attorney, accredited representative or your clinician can review your situation.