Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a common condition that causes swelling and irritation of the skin. It has many causes and forms and often involves itchy, dry skin or a rash. Or it might cause the skin to blister, ooze, crust or flake. Three common types of this condition are atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 8.09 of the Blue Book.
Does Dermatitis Qualify for Disability?
The SSA has a listing for chronic skin conditions, listing 8.09. If you have a diagnosis of eczema (atopic dermatitis or another kind of dermatitis) that has caused skin lesions that have lasted for at least three months and didn’t respond to prescribed treatment, you could get benefits under this listing if you have serious difficulty walking, using your hands and arms, or standing from a seated position and remaining standing.
Here are some examples of lesions that could qualify for benefits under this listing:
- lesions on your knees or elbows that make it difficult to move your joints in more than one extremity (for example, two legs, two arms, or one leg and one arm).
- lesions on both palms that limit your ability to use your hands to write, pick up, and hold objects, or
- lesions on the soles of both feet or your groin that keep you from walking without assistance.
Eczema is a common condition, and for most people, it’s not often severe enough to meet the listing criteria above. But you can still qualify for disability if eczema affects your daily functioning enough to keep you from working. To determine whether you can work at any job, Social Security will need to assess your residual functional capacity (RFC).
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with dermatitis and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
