Listing 14.04
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
This listing covers scleroderma, a disease that thickens and hardens the skin and can damage internal organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys, and digestive tract.
Read the full plain-language explanation
SSA looks for multi-organ involvement with constant symptoms, severe contractures or muscle/limb damage that limits walking or use of the hands, severe Raynaud's phenomenon with gangrene or ulcers, or repeated flare-ups that seriously limit functioning. Only one of the four paths (A, B, C, or D) needs to be met.
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What Listing 14.04 asks for
What SSA looks for — see the 8 items
We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.
- Your scleroderma affects at least two organs or body systems, one at least moderately, and you have at least two constant symptoms: severe tiredness, fever, feeling ill, or unintentional weight loss.
- Only one of paths A, B, C, or D is needed.
Read the original wording
Your scleroderma affects at least two organs or body systems, one at least moderately, and you have at least two constant symptoms: severe tiredness, fever, feeling ill, or unintentional weight loss. Only one of paths A, B, C, or D is needed.
(Listing 14.04, criterion A)
- Scleroderma has caused toe contractures or fixed foot deformity, and your doctors have documented that you need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a wheelchair used with both hands — or that one arm cannot be used for work tasks and you need a cane or similar device in the other hand.
- B1 is one of several alternatives under path B; only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
Read the original wording
Scleroderma has caused toe contractures or fixed foot deformity, and your doctors have documented that you need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a wheelchair used with both hands — or that one arm cannot be used for work tasks and you need a cane or similar device in the other hand. B1 is one of several alternatives under path B; only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
(Listing 14.04, criterion B1)
- Both hands have finger contractures or fixed deformities, and medical records show neither arm/hand can be used for work tasks involving fine movements (like picking up small objects) or gross movements (like gripping and lifting).
- Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
Read the original wording
Both hands have finger contractures or fixed deformities, and medical records show neither arm/hand can be used for work tasks involving fine movements (like picking up small objects) or gross movements (like gripping and lifting). Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
(Listing 14.04, criterion B2)
- Scleroderma has caused permanent muscle wasting and damage in one or both legs, and your doctors have documented that you need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a wheelchair — or that one arm cannot be used for work and you need an assistive device in the other hand.
- Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
Read the original wording
Scleroderma has caused permanent muscle wasting and damage in one or both legs, and your doctors have documented that you need a walker, two canes, two crutches, or a wheelchair — or that one arm cannot be used for work and you need an assistive device in the other hand. Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
(Listing 14.04, criterion B3)
- Both arms have permanent muscle wasting and damage, and medical records show neither arm can be used for work tasks involving fine or gross movements.
- Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
Read the original wording
Both arms have permanent muscle wasting and damage, and medical records show neither arm can be used for work tasks involving fine or gross movements. Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
(Listing 14.04, criterion B4)
- Raynaud's phenomenon (blood vessel spasms cutting off blood flow to fingers and toes) has caused gangrene — dead tissue — in at least two limbs.
- Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed, and within C only one of C1 or C2.
Read the original wording
Raynaud's phenomenon (blood vessel spasms cutting off blood flow to fingers and toes) has caused gangrene — dead tissue — in at least two limbs. Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed, and within C only one of C1 or C2.
(Listing 14.04, criterion C1)
- Poor blood flow from Raynaud's has caused ulcers (open sores) on your toes or fingers, and medical records document that you need a walker, two canes/crutches, or a wheelchair
- That you cannot use one arm for work and need an assistive device in the other hand
- That you cannot use either arm for work tasks. Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
Read the original wording
Poor blood flow from Raynaud's has caused ulcers (open sores) on your toes or fingers, and medical records document that you need a walker, two canes/crutches, or a wheelchair; or that you cannot use one arm for work and need an assistive device in the other hand; or that you cannot use either arm for work tasks. Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
(Listing 14.04, criterion C2)
- Your scleroderma flares up repeatedly, you have at least two constant symptoms (severe tiredness, fever, feeling ill, or unintentional weight loss), and it seriously limits your daily activities, social functioning, or ability to finish tasks on time.
- Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
Read the original wording
Your scleroderma flares up repeatedly, you have at least two constant symptoms (severe tiredness, fever, feeling ill, or unintentional weight loss), and it seriously limits your daily activities, social functioning, or ability to finish tasks on time. Only one path (A, B, C, or D) is needed.
(Listing 14.04, criterion D)
How long it must last:
No listing-specific duration is stated; the impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months (the general SSA duration requirement).