August is Psoriasis Awareness Month

Posted August 2, 2016 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

As the calendar changes from July to August next week, it is important to note that August is Psoriasis Awareness Month. Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the immune system that can be associated with other conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.  Psoriasis is a condition that varies widely in terms of its severity. It can result in skin infections or even cause severe joint pain. In other words, some people may have a mild case while others experience a significantly reduced quality of life due to their condition.

If a person’s psoriasis is severe enough, it can impact their ability to perform gainful employment. In some cases, it may be so severe that the Social Security Administration will find the person disabled based only on the medical evidence. Specifically, if a person diagnosed with psoriasis experiences extensive skin lesions that persist for at least three months despite continuing treatment then that person will likely be found disabled.[1]

If a person’s psoriasis does not meet that level of severity, a person may still be able to receive disability benefits if the limitations associated with their condition preclude employment. For example, if a person’s psoriasis is associated with psoriatic arthritis or other physical conditions, SSA will review the medical evidence to determine whether these limitations will preclude them from performing competitive employment. As is the case with any condition, it is important for a claimant who is filing for disability based on a skin condition to maintain adequate treatment, remain compliant with their doctor’s directions, and speak with their doctors about providing supportive opinions for their claim.

If you are filing for disability based on a skin condition such as psoriasis, please contact our office for a free evaluation.

[1] According to SSA’s Blue Book Listing 8.05 for Dermatitis

By: Devon Brady of Premier Disability Services, LLC