There is a section on skin orders under Social Security’s Listing of Impairments. These conditions can sometimes be severe enough to limit a person’s ability to work. Social Security will examine the condition, but also how severe it is and how it limits a person’s ability to work. As is the case with any disability condition, Social Security will look at many factors in determine eligibility for disability benefits. Below is an example of how Social Security considers skin disorders.
- What skin disorders does Social Security evaluate with these listings?
Social Security uses these listings to evaluate skin disorders that may result from hereditary, congenital, or acquired pathological processes. The kinds of impairments covered by these listings are: Ichthyosis, bullous diseases, chronic infections of the skin or mucous membranes, dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, genetic photosensitivity disorders, and burns.
- What documentation do they need?
When Social Security evaluates the existence and severity of your skin disorder, they generally need information about the onset, duration, frequency of flare-ups, and prognosis of your skin disorder; the location, size, and appearance of lesions; and, when applicable, history of exposure to toxins, allergens, or irritants, familial incidence, seasonal variation, stress factors, and your ability to function outside of a highly protective environment. To confirm the diagnosis, Social Security may need laboratory findings (for example, results of a biopsy obtained independently of Social Security disability evaluation or blood tests) or evidence from other medically acceptable methods consistent with the prevailing state of medical knowledge and clinical practice.
- How does Social Security assess the severity of your skin disorders?
Social Security generally bases its assessment of severity on the extent of your skin lesions, the frequency of flare-ups of your skin lesions, how your symptoms (including pain) limit you, the extent of your treatment, and how your treatment affects you.
