Listing code
108.09
Children (Part B)
Body system
108.00
Skin disorders (children)
Subsections
2
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Chronic conditions of the skin or mucous membranes (see 108.00G ) resulting in:
Subsection A
Chronic skin lesions (see 108.00B2 ) or contractures (see 108.00B3 ) causing chronic pain or other physical limitation(s) that persist despite adherence to prescribed medical treatment for 3 months (see 108.00D5b ). AND
Subsection B
Impairment-related functional limitations (see 108.00D2 ) demonstrated by 1, 2, 3, or 4: 1. 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 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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). 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.twitter.com/socialsecurity" aria-label="Social Se
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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). 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.twitter.com/socialsecurity" aria-label="Social Se
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 108.09. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 108.09 usually fail
A common miss is showing a skin diagnosis but not meeting the 3-month persistence requirement, including that symptoms or limitations persist despite adherence to prescribed medical treatment. Another common miss is not tying the functional limitations directly to chronic skin lesions or contractures, rather than to unrelated issues. Many claims fail because the child does not meet one of the specific functional pattern examples in Subsection B (upper extremity use limitations, or upright/standing limits linked to skin lesions or contractures affecting at least two extremities, or both lower extremities). Another failure mode is focusing only on pain without also demonstrating the required impairment-related functional limitations numbered 1 through 4.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Look for medical records that document chronic skin lesions and/or contractures, and show they cause chronic pain or other physical limitations that persist for 3 months despite adherence to prescribed medical treatment. For the Subsection B functional examples, documentation needs to show the functional inability described, such as inability to use both upper extremities (fine and gross movements for age-appropriate activities), or inability to use one upper extremity plus a documented medical need for an assistive device that requires the other upper extremity. The assistive-device concept includes devices that improve stability, dexterity, or mobility, and SSA defines assistive devices broadly (for example, hand-held devices and worn devices like orthoses or prostheses).
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
Step 4 and step 5 work together. First, if the child does not meet 108.09A and 108.09B at the same time, the claim generally proceeds to a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment that considers what the child can still do despite the impairment-related limits. Then the decision turns on whether the child can do age-appropriate work-related activities based on that RFC.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For an SSDI claim, work activity is evaluated under SSA's general substantial gainful activity (SGA) rules at the start of the claim, before the focus shifts to whether the condition meets listing 108.09. If approved under this listing, the trial work period and the extended period of eligibility rules apply after entitlement begins, using SSA's general approach for continuing benefits. The clinical criteria in 108.09 involve chronic skin lesions or contractures causing chronic pain or physical limitations lasting 3 months despite adherence, plus functional limitations matching 108.09B1 through 108.09B4 (like inability to use upper extremities for age-appropriate fine and gross movements, or inability to stand up and maintain an upright position needed for age-appropriate activities).
Listing 108.09 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for chronic conditions of the skin or mucous membranes disability claims.