Listing code
8.09
Adult (Part A)
Body system
8.00
Skin disorders
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 8.00G ) resulting in:
Subsection A
Chronic skin lesions (see 8.00B2 ) or contractures (see 8.00B3 ) causing chronic pain or other physical limitation(s) that persist despite adherence to prescribed medical treatment for 3 months (see 8.00D5b ). AND
Subsection B
Impairment-related functional limitations (see 8.00D2 ) 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 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 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 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 </li
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 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 </li
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 8.09. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 8.09 usually fail
A frequent failure mode is missing the 3-month persistence requirement tied to adherence to prescribed medical treatment under subsection A. Another failure mode is focusing on symptoms but not tying them to the specific work-function limits in subsection B, such as inability to use one or both upper extremities for fine and gross movements, or inability to stand up from a seated position and maintain an upright posture. A third pitfall is meeting one functional limitation but not the required pattern, for example showing lower-extremity issues without showing the at-least-two-extremities requirement for standing from a seated position, or showing upper-extremity limits without the required assistive-device medical need pathway for the 'one upper extremity plus other upper extremity assistive device' option. A fourth problem is describing skin involvement in general locations without showing the involvement matters under the subsection B wording, including when limitations involve the perineum or inguinal region.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
For subsection A, medical records should document chronic skin lesions or contractures, the resulting chronic pain or other physical limitation(s), and that the condition persists despite adherence to prescribed medical treatment for 3 months. For subsection B, documentation should describe the impairment-related functional limitation(s) in the specific terms SSA uses, including inability to use both upper extremities for fine and gross movements, inability to use one upper extremity with a documented medical need for an assistive device that requires using the other upper extremity, or inability to stand up and maintain an upright position, or inability to maintain an upright position while standing or walking. Records should also connect the functional limits to chronic skin lesions (8.00B2) or contractures (8.00B3), and clarify whether the limitations involve at least two extremities or both lower extremities, including when involvement includes the perineum or inguinal region. For the assistive-device path, evidence should show a documented medical need for an assistive device (8
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If the criteria in both subsections A and B are not met for 8.09, the claim can still be approved later by assessing what work-related activities can still be done based on the impairment-related functional limitations. That means the medical evidence and functional statement are used to evaluate residual functional capacity, and then the decision considers whether available work is possible. The functional-limitation options in subsection B, when present, strongly shape this assessment even if the exact 8.09 pattern is not fully met.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For SSA disability claims, work is evaluated under the substantial gainful activity rule at the start of the claim. If work is not performed at the substantial gainful activity level, then eligibility turns on medical severity. For 8.09 specifically, the functional limitations in subsection B focus on inability to use upper extremities for fine and gross movements, inability to stand and maintain an upright position, or inability to maintain upright position while standing or walking, tied to chronic skin lesions or contractures. If 8.09 is met and a favorable decision is made, eligibility for ongoing benefits follows the standard process after approval, including continued medical evidence review when required by SSA rules for that program.
Listing 8.09 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for chronic conditions of the skin or mucous membranes disability claims.