This article discusses SSA disability benefits for skin conditions. If you or a loved one has been assessed as having a disabling skin disease, read how the SSA will evaluate your disability claim.
Skin conditions can range from mildly bothersome to severely disabling. Simply having a skin condition is not enough to qualify you for disability benefits: What matters is the severity of your skin condition and the impact it has on your life. Some examples of disabling skin conditions I see in my practice include epidermolysis bullosa, burns, infections caused by autoimmune diseases, and even psoriasis.
The Social Security Administration has a list specifically for skin conditions, 8.00. The beginning of this list describes what evidence is required and how seriousness is determined. Extensive disease, frequency of attacks, symptoms, pain, and treatment are all factors to consider. Additionally, if your skin condition is caused by some other injury, you will be evaluated under that body system first. (For example, if you have been evaluated for HIV and have a resulting skin condition, you will first be evaluated under 14.08 HIV Infection.)
Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of skin disorders characterized by blisters caused by minor injury, heat, or friction from friction, scratches, or tape. Via the Mayo Clinic. During a severe attack, the slightest skin irritation can lead to severe blistering. Other symptoms I have seen include loss of fingernails, toenails and severe itching during the healing process, possibly with severe infection. EB lesions may also appear inside your body. List 8.03, bullous disease, requires extensive disease that persists for at least 3 months despite prescribed treatment. EB is also hereditary.
There are different degrees of burns, with third degree burns going deep into the tissue and fourth degree burns going deep into the bone/muscle. Found here. These types of burns take a long time to heal, are very painful, and may require skin grafts. As you begin to heal, the itching may be unbearable. Listing 8.08 Burns require extensive skin damage that has lasted or is expected to last for 12 months.
Psoriasis, the most common autoimmune disease in the United States, occurs when the immune system sends faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Through the National Psoriasis Foundation. When new growing skin cells move to the skin's surface, thick, itchy, and tender patches called plaques appear. Found here. The evaluation value for psoriasis is 8.05, dermatitis. This listing requires extensive skin lesions that persist for at least 3 months despite continued treatment as prescribed. Also read our post Hidradenitis suppurativa.
Again, simply having a skin disease does not automatically make you disabled. However, if your skin condition is severe, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If your skin disease has progressed to the point where you are unable to work, file for Social Security Disability as soon as possible and call the Bishop Law Firm. We want to help!
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