Listing code
113.29
Children (Part B)
Body system
113.00
Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases, children)
Subsections
3
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Malignant melanoma (including skin, ocular, or mucosal melanomas), as described in either A, B, or C:
Subsection A
Recurrent (except an additional primary melanoma at a different site, which is not considered to be recurrent disease) following either 1 or 2: 1. Wide excision (skin melanoma). 2. Enucleation of the eye (ocular melanoma). OR
- Wide excision (skin melanoma).
- Enucleation of the eye (ocular melanoma). OR
Subsection B
With metastases as described in 1, 2, or 3: 1. Metastases to one or more clinically apparent nodes; that is, nodes that are detected by imaging studies (excluding lymphoscintigraphy) or by clinical evaluation (palpable). 2. If the nodes are not clinically apparent, with metastases to four or more nodes. 3. Metastases to adjacent skin (satellite lesions) or distant sites (for example, liver, lung, or brain). OR
- Metastases to one or more clinically apparent nodes; that is, nodes that are detected by imaging studies (excluding lymphoscintigraphy) or by clinical evaluation (palpable).
- If the nodes are not clinically apparent, with metastases to four or more nodes.
- Metastases to adjacent skin (satellite lesions) or distant sites (for example, liver, lung, or brain). OR
Subsection C
Mucosal melanoma. Back to Top Support Contact us Find an office Forms Publications Report fraud Languages Español Other languages Plain language Services for Employers & businesses Government agencies Other groups Representatives About Careers Chief actuary data Communications Financial reports Initiatives Research & policy Social Security Administration <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/socialmedia/" aria-label="Social Media Hub" title="So
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 113.29. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 113.29 usually fail
One pitfall is applying 113.29 to a single melanoma diagnosis without matching the required recurrence pathway in 113.29A (wide excision or enucleation) or the required metastasis pattern in 113.29B. Another pitfall is counting nodes incorrectly when the nodes are not clinically apparent, since 113.29B is explicit about needing metastases to four or more nodes in that situation. A third pitfall is treating satellite lesions or distant spread as the same as lymph node involvement, even though 113.29B separates metastases to clinically apparent nodes, a four-or-more-node threshold when nodes are not clinically apparent, and metastases to adjacent skin (satellite lesions) or specific distant sites. A fourth pitfall is missing the recurrence exception in 113.29A, where an additional primary melanoma at a different site is not counted as recurrent disease.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
SSA needs medical evidence specifying the type, extent, and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesion under 113.00 cancer evidence principles. For procedures relevant to 113.29A, operative documentation is important because operative procedures including biopsy or needle aspiration generally require both an operative note and a pathology report. If those documents cannot be obtained, summaries of hospitalization or other medical reports can be accepted, but they should include findings at surgery and, when appropriate, pathological findings. For 113.29B, documentation needs to identify the metastasis pattern in the listing terms: whether nodes are clinically apparent and how they were detected (imaging other than lymphoscintigraphy, or clinical/palpable exam), whether nodes are not clinically apparent with metastases to four or more nodes, or whether there are satellite lesions or distant metastases to sites such as liver, lung, or brain.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If 113.29 does not fit, the disability evaluation continues by considering steps 4 and 5 in plain terms: the next step looks at what residual functional abilities remain despite the cancer, and whether the person can do work activities that are still possible. If the case reaches the medical-vocational part of the process, it weighs the functional limitations against age, education, and work background. Many claims that do not meet a specific cancer listing still end up approved later if the medical evidence supports limitations severe enough even without matching 113.29's exact recurrence or metastasis criteria.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For children in Part B, work activity rules (SGA) are generally not the focus in the same way they are for adults, but the approval still depends on meeting the medical criteria for 113.29A, 113.29B, or 113.29C. The listing's criteria are anchored in recurrence after wide excision or enucleation (113.29A), a specified metastasis pattern including clinically apparent nodes or four or more nodes when not clinically apparent (113.29B), or mucosal melanoma (113.29C). The main practical impact in these cases is whether medical records can document the required extent and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesions.
Listing 113.29 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for malignant melanoma (including skin, ocular, or mucosal melanomas), disability claims.