Skin disorders may result in a significant and long lasting impairment.   If these disorders involve extensive areas of the body or critical areas such as the hands or feet, they can be especially restrictive. 

The skin disorder must be shown to have persisted or be expected to persist for at least twelve months despite treatment.  The discussion of skin disorders in this chapter will include burns, lacerations, traumatic deformities, disease induced deformities and some standard skin disorders.
 

General Evaluation

Regardless of the type of skin disorder or its cause, there are a number of basic criteria for evaluating these impairments.  Below is a list of factors to consider when determining if and how a skin disease might interfere with the claimant's ability to perform work.

1.  If the claimant has a significant deformity of the skin that reduces the use of an extremity or sensory organ, this can be used to lower his residual functional capacity. 

2.  If the claimant has a skin disease that would distract fellow workers or would cause extreme anxiety to the claimant, this can be used as a limiting factor. 

3.  If the claimant's disorder physically or psychologically reduces the claimant's ability to function in society, this can be used to reduce his residual functional capacity. 

4.  If the claimant has a skin disease that interferes with the claimant's ability to handle objects, stand, walk, see, hear or communicate, the condition can be used to lower his residual functional capacity.

5.  Is the skin disorder contagious or in any way dangerous to fellow workers?   If it is, this can be used to lower the claimant's RFC.

6.  Are there any adverse side effects from the medications used to treat the skin disorder?  if there is, this can be used to lower the claimant's RFC.

7.  How does the working environment affect the skin disorder?  If the claimant's past work is with chemicals, this type of work may worsen the condition.  The claimant should be restricted from any environment which causes a worsening of his skin disorder.

8.  Does the skin condition cause significant pain?   If it does, this can be used to lower the claimant's RFC.

If one or more of the above conditions exist for a claimant with a significant skin disorder, you may be able to create an argument that could win an allowance determination.  Skin disease is not an easy category of disease for winning Social Security disability benefits, but you can still make the best of what you have.  Concentrate your evaluation and argument on the restrictive effects caused by the skin disorder.