Get Social Security Disability & SSI Benefits: Skin Conditions

Winning A Skin Condition Case

Social Security disability and SSI benefits will be paid based on a skin condition if you meet two Social Security rules:

1. Non-Medical Criteria, and
2. Disability Criteria.

With the disability criteria, it is important –

1. You understand how Social Security evaluates skin conditions (covered below)
2. You satisfy a Social Security skin condition Listing (also covered below) or you have disabling Functional Limitations, and
3. You Submit Winning Evidence.

Skin Conditions – What Medical Evidence Does Social Security Want?

Common Skin Conditions. In a Social Security and SSI disability case, the following skin conditions typically cause the most significant symptoms, the most serious functional limitations, and disability:

1. Ichtyosis;
2. Bullous disease (pemphigus, erythema multiforme bullosum, epidermolysis bullosa, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis);
3. Cellulitis;
4. Impetigo;
5. Dermatitis (psoriasis, dyshidrosis, atopic dermatitis; exfoliative dermatitis;
6. Allergic contact dermatitis);
7. Hidradenitis suppurativa; and
8. Genetic photosensitivity disorders.

Necessary Medical Information. You will need to notify Social Security about your medical treatment:

1. Diagnosis;
2. The location, size, and the appearance of your skin condition [abnormal lumps, bumps, ulcers (open wounds), or sores – essentially any abnormality of the skin];
3. The frequency of your skin flareups (continuous or intermittent);
4. The severity of your skin condition; and
5. Prescribed treatment.

Social Security recognizes that your skin conditions can be continuous or intermittent. Social Security does not require that your skin condition be continuous to be found disabled. If your skin condition is intermittent, the severity of your condition and your resulting limitations will depend on how frequently you have flareups and how long they last. Generally, Social Security will want to see flareups lasting for two to three months at a time about 50% of the year or more (many listings require a flareup last three months at a time).

Your medical records will describe your skin condition. However, they may not describe it well; they may describe it wrong. Your submission of pictures helps Social Security understand the severity of your skin disorder – Pictures In A Disability Case: What Social Security Looks For.

Functional Limitations. You will need to explain to Social Security your functional limitations and how they relate to proving disability are discussed on the next page. However, skin condition functional limitations are unique. Some conditions are contagious affecting one’s ability to be around others. Many conditions are such that the mere touch or rubbing of the skin causes symptoms and prevents movement. It is common suffers have lesions (sores) or rashes –

1. That are on parts of the body that rub against other parts of the body – inside of the arms or leg, buttocks, or on the sides of the body where the arms rub affecting most any movement;
2. That are on the buttocks, back of the legs, or the back affecting one’s ability to sit (the primary physical requirement of the easiest type of work available);
3. That cannot be covered with clothing affecting one’s ability to be in public; and
4. That in rare circumstances, cannot be covered with bandages affecting one’s ability to do most anything.

Skin Condition Listings

There are several listings for skin conditions each requiring that 1) you have extension skin lesions (any skin abnormality) that 2) last at least three months at a time and 3) still occur even though you are getting ongoing medical care:

1. Ichtyosis – Adult Listing 8.02 and Child Listing 108.02;
2. Bullous disease (e.g. pemphigus, erythema multiforme bullosum, epidermolysis bullosa, bullous pemphigoid, and dermatitis herpetiformis) – Adult Listing 8.03 and Child Listing 108.03;
3. Ongoing skin or mucous membranes infections (e.g. cellulitis; impetigo) – Adult Listing 8.04 and Child Listing 108.04;
4. Dermatitis (e.g. psoriasis, dyshidrosis, atopic dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis) – Adult Listing 8.05 and Child Listing 108.05; and
5. Hidradenitis suppurativa involving both armpits, the groin, or the perineum – Adult Listing 8.06 and Child Listing 108.06.

If you have a genetic photosensitivity disorder, you can meet Adult Listing 8.07 and Child Listing 108.07 with one of the following:

1. You have xeroderma pigmentosum;
2. You have significant skin lesions; or
3. You are unable to perform life activities unless you are in sheltered surroundings.