Listing code
108.08
Children (Part B)
Body system
108.00
Skin disorders (children)
Subsections
4
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Burns (see 108.00F ). Burns that do not require continuing surgical management (see 108.00B6 ), or that have been documented by an acceptable medical source to have reached maximum therapeutic benefit and are no longer receiving surgical management, resulting in chronic skin lesions (see 108.00B2 ) or contractures (see 108.00B3 ) causing chronic pain or other physical limitation(s) that result in impairment-related functional limitations (see 108.00D2 ), as evidenced by:
Subsection A
Inability to use both upper extremities to the extent that neither can be used to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements (see 108.00B5 ) due to chronic skin lesions (see 108.00B2 ) or contractures (see 108.00B3 ). OR
Subsection B
Inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements (see 108.00B5 ) due to chronic skin lesions (see 108.00B2 ) or contractures (see 108.00B3 ), and a documented medical need (see 108.00B4 ) for an assistive device (see 108.00B1 ) that requires the use of the other upper extremity. OR
Subsection C
Inability to stand up from a seated position and maintain an upright position to the extent needed to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities due to chronic skin lesions (see 108.00B2 ) or contractures (see 108.00B3 ) affecting at least two extremities (including when the limitations are due to involvement of the perineum or the inguinal region). OR
Subsection D
Inability to maintain an upright position while standing or walking to the extent needed to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities due to chronic skin lesions (see 108.00B2 ) or contractures (see 108.00B3 ) affecting both lower extremities (including when the limitations are due to involvement of the perineum or the inguinal region).
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 108.08. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 108.08 usually fail
One pitfall is skipping the timing and treatment piece: the listing is aimed at burns that do not require continuing surgical management, or burns that reached maximum therapeutic benefit and are no longer receiving surgical management. Another pitfall is treating contractures or chronic skin lesions as enough by themselves, instead of tying them to the lettered functional limitations in A, B, C, or D. A third pitfall is missing the required body-area pattern, such as A and B focusing on upper-extremity fine and gross movement limits, C requiring difficulty standing up and maintaining an upright position with at least two extremities involved, and D requiring difficulty maintaining upright position while standing or walking with both lower extremities involved (including perineum or inguinal region involvement). A fourth pitfall is overlooking the special structure in subsection B, where there must also be a documented medical need for an assistive device that requires using the other upper extremity.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Evidence should show (1) the child had burns, (2) the burns resulted in chronic skin lesions or contractures, and (3) the burns have either not required continuing surgical management or have reached maximum therapeutic benefit and are no longer receiving surgical management. Medical documentation also needs to describe the functional impact in the exact way the lettered criteria require, such as inability to use both upper extremities for age-appropriate fine and gross movements (A), or inability to use one upper extremity plus a documented medical need for an assistive device that requires the other upper extremity (B), or limitations standing up and maintaining upright position (C), or limitations maintaining upright position while standing or walking with both lower extremities involved (D). When subsection B is used, documentation should include the medical record support for a 'documented medical need' for the assistive device and what the assistive device requires in terms of using the other upper extremity.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
This listing requires a match to the burn-to-function pathway and one of the lettered criteria A through D. If the functional limitations do not fit exactly into one of those subsections, benefits can still be decided using the child's residual functional capacity, which describes what the child can still do despite the impairments. Later steps also consider whether the child's remaining limitations still prevent age-appropriate functioning, even if the case does not meet this exact listing.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For SSDI, work activity limits apply at the start of a claim, before any medical listing comparison. After a medical decision, trial work period rules and extended period of eligibility can apply if the child is approved, including for conditions with functional limits like inability to use upper extremities independently (108.08A/108.08B) or limitations standing or walking (108.08C/108.08D).
Listing 108.08 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for burns disability claims.