Listing code
8.08
Adult (Part A)
Body system
8.00
Skin disorders
Subsections
4
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Burns (see 8.00F ). Burns that do not require continuing surgical management (see 8.00B6 ), or that have been documented by an acceptable medical source to have reached maximum therapeutic benefit and therefore are no longer receiving surgical management, resulting in chronic skin lesions (see 8.00B2 ) or contractures (see 8.00B3 ) causing chronic pain or other physical limitation(s) that result in impairment-related functional limitations (see 8.00D2 ), 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 work-related activities involving fine and gross movements (see 8.00B5 ) due to chronic skin lesions (see 8.00B2 ) or contractures (see 8.00B3 ). OR
Subsection B
Inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements (see 8.00B5 ) due to chronic skin lesions (see 8.00B2 ) or contractures (see 8.00B3 ), and a documented medical need (see 8.00B4 ) for an assistive device (see 8.00B1 ) 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 work-related activities due to chronic skin lesions (see 8.00B2 ) or contractures (see 8.00B3 ) 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 work-related activities due to chronic skin lesions (see 8.00B2 ) or contractures (see 8.00B3 ) affecting both lower extremities (including when the limitations are due to involvement of the perineum or the inguinal region). Back to Top
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 8.08. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 8.08 usually fail
Many claims fail by using a general statement like 'burn scars' without showing chronic skin lesions or contractures that reach a maximum therapeutic benefit state and are no longer under continuing surgical management. Other claims miss because they describe pain but do not connect the pain-producing chronic skin lesions or contractures to the specific functional loss required in Subsection A, B, C, or D (fine and gross movements of one or both upper extremities, or upright positioning when standing and walking). Another common failure is mixing up the body-part requirements: Subsection C requires limitations affecting at least two extremities, including possible perineum or inguinal region involvement, while Subsection D requires both lower extremities, including possible perineum or inguinal region involvement. Claims under Subsection B also fail when there is no documented medical need for an assistive device that requires using the other upper extremity.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Evidence should show burn-related chronic skin lesions or contractures and how they affect use and movement needed for work-related activities, matched to Subsection A, B, C, or D. For the upper-extremity subsections (A and B), documentation should address the inability to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements due to chronic skin lesions or contractures. For Subsection B, documentation must include a documented medical need for an assistive device, and it must show the assistive device use requires the other upper extremity. For Subsection C, documentation should support inability to stand up from a seated position and maintain an upright position to the extent needed for work-related activities, due to chronic skin lesions or contractures affecting at least two extremities (including possible perineum or inguinal region involvement). For Subsection D, documentation should support inability to maintain an upright position while standing or walking to the extent needed for work-related activities, due to chronic skin 1
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
Steps 4 and 5 work in plain terms by focusing on what work can still be done despite the burn-related chronic skin lesions or contractures. If the exact lettered criteria in 8.08 A, B, C, or D are not met, the next step is often to determine residual functional capacity, meaning the practical level of physical ability for work-related activities given the chronic skin lesions or contractures and their functional effects. Then the assessment considers whether there are jobs in the national economy that match those limits. Many claims that do not exactly meet a specific listing still can be approved later if the residual functional capacity is restrictive enough.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For an SSDI claim, work activity is evaluated at the start, and whether the condition-related limitations allow sustained work activity consistent with the disability process. Burns under 8.08 are tied to specific functional limits, such as inability to use both upper extremities for fine and gross movements (Subsection A), inability to use one upper extremity with a documented medical need for an assistive device requiring the other upper extremity (Subsection B), inability to stand up from seated and maintain upright position due to lesions or contractures affecting at least two extremities (Subsection C), or inability to maintain an upright position while standing or walking due to lesions or contractures affecting both lower extremities (Subsection D). If those limitations are present, sustained work involving the required fine and gross movements or sustained upright positioning may
Listing 8.08 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for burns disability claims.