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SSA RIN: 0960-AG89 Publication ID: Spring 2009 
Title: How We Collect and Consider Evidence of Disability (3487P) 
Abstract: We propose to change what we ask for in medical source statements to address your limitations and restrictions from your medically determinable impairment(s) rather than your capacities; that is, what you cannot do because of, instead of what you still can do despite, your impairment(s). This would allow medical sources to describe the limiting effects of your impairment(s) as they do in their own records, making it easier to provide the information we need to evaluate whether you are disabled. We propose to clarify that this change applies to all levels of our administrative process and, for title XVI childhood cases, make these regulations more closely reflect the language in the childhood disability regulations. We also propose to give adjudicators additional methods to resolve inconsistent or insufficient evidence to help avoid unnecessary or unproductive steps in the adjudication process and improve efficiency. Currently, when inconsistent or insufficient evidence prevents us from determining whether you are disabled, we first must recontact your treating medical sources for additional information. We also propose to clarify that we consider a review of the longitudinal evidence available in your case record, to emphasize our responsibility to consider how your impairment(s) changes over time. This long-standing policy will not change the outcome of disability determinations or decision; however, it will make our policy more transparent. 
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 404.1502    20 CFR 404.1512    20 CFR 404.1513    20 CFR 404.1519a    20 CFR 404.1519n    20 CFR 404.1520    20 CFR 404.1520b (New)    20 CFR 404.1527    20 CFR 404.1545    20 CFR 416.902    20 CFR 416.912    20 CFR 416.913    20 CFR 416.919a    20 CFR 416.919n    20 CFR 416.920    20 CFR 416.920b (New)    20 CFR 416.927    20 CFR 416.945   
Legal Authority: 42 USC 402    42 USC 405(a)    42 USC 405(d)(h)    42 USC 416(i)    42 USC 421(a)    42 USC 421(i)    42 USC 421(m)    42 USC 421 note    42 USC 422(c)    42 USC 423    42 USC 423 note    42 USC 425    42 USC 902(a)(5)    42 USC 1382    42 USC 1382c    42 USC 1382h    42 UC 1382h note    42 USC 1383(a)    42 USC 1383(c)    42 USC 1383(d)(1)    42 USC 1383(p)    42 USC 1383b   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  12/00/2009    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Shirleen Roth
Social Insurance Specialist
Social Security Administration
Office of Disability Programs, 6401 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Phone:410 966-1174

Richard M. Bresnick
Social Insurance Specialist, Regulations Writer
Social Security Administration
Office of Regulations, 6401 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Phone:410 965-1758