What you have to prove
Meet listing via: (1) recurrent in the deep tissues, lymph nodes, or distant metastases; OR (2) with metastases as described in the listing criteria.
Medical evidence SSA expects
Pathology with Breslow depth and ulceration status, sentinel lymph node biopsy, imaging (CT, PET, MRI of brain), and oncology records including immunotherapy history.
Common misconceptions
Thin melanomas excised with clear margins (stage IA) rarely qualify. Stage III (nodal involvement) and IV (distant metastases) typically meet the listing. Modern immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors) has changed prognosis but hasn't changed listing criteria.
Didn't meet the listing? You can still qualify via a Medical-Vocational
Allowance — SSA's determination that your residual functional capacity, combined with
your age, education, and work history, leaves no jobs you can do. See our
appeals guide for what to do after an initial denial.