BASIC (02-01)

A. Policy - steps in evaluating disability (section 416.924(a))

We consider all relevant evidence in your case record when we make a determination or decision whether you are disabled. If you allege more than one impairment, we will evaluate all the impairments for which we have evidence. Thus, we will consider the combined effects of all your impairments upon your overall health and functioning. We will also evaluate any limitations in your functioning that result from your symptoms, including pain (see DI 24501.021). We will also consider all of the relevant factors in DI 25210.001 ff. whenever we assess your functioning at any step of this process. When you file a new application for benefits, we use the evaluation process set forth in this section. We follow a set order to determine whether you are disabled. If you are doing substantial gainful activity, we will determine that you are not disabled and not review your claim further. If you are not doing substantial gainful activity, we will consider your physical or mental impairment(s) first to see if you have an impairment or combination of impairments that is severe. If your impairment(s) is not severe, we will determine that you are not disabled and not review your claim further. If your impairment(s) is severe, we will review your claim further to see if you have an impairment(s) that meets, medically equals, or functionally equals the listings. If you have such an impairment(s), and it meets the duration requirement, we will find that you are disabled. If you do not have such an impairment(s), or if it does not meet the duration requirement, we will find that you are not disabled.

B. Policy - step 1 - if you are working (section 416.924(b))

If you are working and the work you are doing is substantial gainful activity, we will find that you are not disabled regardless of your medical condition or age, education, or work experience. (For our rules on how we decide whether you are engaging in substantial gainful activity, see DI 22001.001D.1. and DI 24001.000.)

C. Policy - step 2 -you must have a medically determinable impairment(s) that is severe (section 416.924(c))

If you do not have a medically determinable impairment, or your impairment(s) is a slight abnormality or a combination of slight abnormalities that causes no more than minimal functional limitations, we will find that you do not have a severe impairment(s) and are, therefore, not disabled.

D. Policy - step 3 - your impairment(s) must meet, medically equal, or functionally equal the listings (section 416.924(d))

An impairment(s) causes marked and severe functional limitations if it meets or medically equals the severity of a set of criteria for an impairment in the listings, or if it functionally equals the listings.

Therefore, if you have an impairment(s) that meets or medically equals the requirements of a listing or that functionally equals the listings, and that meets the duration requirement, we will find you disabled.

If your impairment(s) does not meet the duration requirement, or does not meet, medically equal, or functionally equal the listings, we will find that you are not disabled.

E. References – other rules

• We explain other rules for evaluating impairments at all steps of this process in DI 25210.001 ff, DI 25215.001 ff, and DI 24501.020.

• We explain our rules for deciding whether an impairment(s) meets a listing in DI 25220.010.

• Our rules for how we decide whether an impairment(s) medically equals a listing are in DI 25220.010B.2.

• Our rules for deciding whether an impairment(s) functionally equals the listings are in DI 25225.001 ff.