DI 22501.001:
Disability Case Development for Evidence
Effective Dates: 12/05/2017 - Present- Effective Dates: 03/27/2018 - Present
- TN 27 (12-17)
- DI 22501.001 Disability Case Development for Evidence
- Citations:
- Social Security Act - Sections 223(d), 1614(a), 1631(e)
- Regulations - 20 CFR sections 404.1512 through 404.1516, 404.1520, 404.1520b, 416.912 through 416.916, 416.920, and 416.920b
- A. Purpose of case development
- We develop evidence from medical and nonmedical sources to establish:
- * whether the claimant is disabled or blind,
- * the date disability began, and
- * the date disability ended, if applicable.
- B. Definition of evidence
- Evidence is anything the claimant or anyone else submits to us, or that we obtain, that relates to the claim for disability benefits.
- For the categories of evidence, see DI 24503.005B.
- For details on what is not considered evidence, see DI 24503.001B.
- C. Evidence we consider for a disability determination
- We consider all relevant evidence in the case record when making a disability determination. This includes the following evidence we have:
- * in our records, including relevant evidence from available prior folders,
- * received from medical sources, and
- * received from nonmedical sources, including the claimant.
NOTE: When the adjudicator considers evidence from a prior folder(s), the evidence from the prior folder(s) must be included in the current case folder.- NOTE: When the adjudicator considers evidence from a prior folder(s), the relevant evidence from the prior folder(s) must be included in the current case folder.
For the definition of relevant evidence, see DI 24515.001B.2.- For the definition of relevant evidence, see DI 24501.016B.2.
- D. Completeness of medical and other evidence
- The evidence we receive must be complete and detailed enough to permit an independent determination about whether the claimant is disabled or blind.
- Therefore, the evidence must allow the adjudicator(s) to determine:
- * the nature and severity of the claimant’s impairment(s),
- * whether the 12-month duration requirement is met,
- * the claimant’s residual functional capacity when steps 4 and 5 of sequential evaluation apply, and
- * the established onset date, if applicable.
- When there is enough evidence, the adjudicator should be able to understand how the claimant functions on a day-to-day basis.
- NOTE: The adjudicator may discontinue development when the evidence is consistent and sufficient to make a fully favorable determination. For details, see Expedients to Evaluate and Develop Evidence for Potential Mental and Physical Impairments in section DI 24505.030.
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