Listing 8.09
Chronic conditions of the skin or mucous membranes
This listing covers long-lasting skin or mucous membrane conditions such as ichthyosis, bullous diseases (pemphigus, epidermolysis bullosa, dermatitis herpetiformis), chronic skin infections, dermatitis, psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Read the full plain-language explanation
To meet it, you must satisfy BOTH parts: (A) chronic skin lesions or contractures causing chronic pain or other physical limits that continue despite following prescribed medical treatment for 3 consecutive months, AND (B) one of four specific functional limitations affecting your arms or legs that lasts at least 12 months. Important: if you have not received treatment for any reason, your condition cannot meet this listing. If you receive PUVA or biologic treatment, SSA defers the decision for 6 months from the start of that treatment unless it can approve on another basis.
Upload your medical records
PDFs or photos (JPG, PNG) — up to 15 files, 20 MB each.
What Listing 8.09 asks for
What SSA looks for — see the 5 items
We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.
- You have long-lasting skin lesions or scar contractures causing ongoing pain or other physical limits, and they have not improved even though you followed your prescribed treatment (medications or other treatment from a medical source) for 3 consecutive months.
- Those 3 months must fall within the 12-month period SSA uses to judge severity.
- Both A and B are required.
Read the original wording
You have long-lasting skin lesions or scar contractures causing ongoing pain or other physical limits, and they have not improved even though you followed your prescribed treatment (medications or other treatment from a medical source) for 3 consecutive months. Those 3 months must fall within the 12-month period SSA uses to judge severity. Both A and B are required.
(Listing 8.09, criterion A)
- Your skin lesions or contractures keep you from using either arm or hand well enough to start, keep doing, and finish work tasks needing fine movements (pinching, fingering) and gross movements (gripping, reaching, lifting).
- Part B is satisfied by any ONE of B1, B2, B3, or B4, and must be met along with part A.
Read the original wording
Your skin lesions or contractures keep you from using either arm or hand well enough to start, keep doing, and finish work tasks needing fine movements (pinching, fingering) and gross movements (gripping, reaching, lifting). Part B is satisfied by any ONE of B1, B2, B3, or B4, and must be met along with part A.
(Listing 8.09, criterion B1)
- You cannot use one arm or hand for work tasks needing fine and gross movements, AND your medical records document a need for an assistive device (like a cane, crutch, or walker) that ties up your other arm for at least 12 continuous months.
- A prescription is not required, but the record must describe why you need it.
- This is one alternative under B.
Read the original wording
You cannot use one arm or hand for work tasks needing fine and gross movements, AND your medical records document a need for an assistive device (like a cane, crutch, or walker) that ties up your other arm for at least 12 continuous months. A prescription is not required, but the record must describe why you need it. This is one alternative under B.
(Listing 8.09, criterion B2)
- Skin lesions or contractures affecting at least two limbs (or the groin or perineum area — common in conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa) keep you from standing up from a seat and staying upright well enough to do work activities.
- This is one alternative under B.
Read the original wording
Skin lesions or contractures affecting at least two limbs (or the groin or perineum area — common in conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa) keep you from standing up from a seat and staying upright well enough to do work activities. This is one alternative under B.
(Listing 8.09, criterion B3)
- Skin lesions or contractures affecting both legs (or the groin or perineum area) keep you from staying upright while standing or walking well enough to do work activities.
- This is one alternative under B.
Read the original wording
Skin lesions or contractures affecting both legs (or the groin or perineum area) keep you from staying upright while standing or walking well enough to do work activities. This is one alternative under B.
(Listing 8.09, criterion B4)
How long it must last:
- The impairment-related physical limitations must have lasted, or be expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
- Additionally, symptoms must persist despite adherence to prescribed medical treatment for 3 consecutive months, and those 3 months must fall within the 12-month period used to evaluate severity.
Read the original wording
The impairment-related physical limitations must have lasted, or be expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months. Additionally, symptoms must persist despite adherence to prescribed medical treatment for 3 consecutive months, and those 3 months must fall within the 12-month period used to evaluate severity.