Citations:

SSR 15-1p

TN 3 (03-17)

NOTE: On January 18, 2017, SSA published final rules in the Federal Register titled “Revisions to Rules Regarding the Evaluation of Medical Evidence” (82 FR 5844) that revised how we consider medical evidence in disability claims and continuing disability reviews under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. These rules expanded the list of medical sources we recognize as acceptable medical sources (AMS). For claims filed on or after March 27, 2017, the AMS list also includes licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) (for impairments within the licensed scope of practice), licensed physician assistants (PA) (for impairments within the licensed scope of practice), and licensed audiologists (for impairments of hearing loss, auditory processing disorders, and balance disorders within the licensed scope of practice only). Therefore, these medical sources can provide objective medical evidence (medical signs, laboratory findings, or both) to help establish a person has a medically determinable impairment. Accordingly, we plan to revise relevant Social Security Rulings and the POMS to conform to these final rules.

A. Background of the publication of SSR 15-1p

SSR 15-1p, “Evaluating Cases Involving Interstitial Cystitis” was published on March 18, 2015. This SSR, which took effect upon publication, explains our policies for developing evidence to establish that a person has a medically determinable impairment (MDI) of interstitial cystitis (IC). SSR 15-1p also explains how we evaluate IC in disability claims and continuing disability reviews under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. SSR 15-1p rescinds and replaces SSR 02-2p.

B. Sections of SSR 15-1p

A short section explains the purpose of the SSR.

An introduction defines the disorder.

Policy interpretation is in question-and-answer format and explains the evidence we need to establish an MDI of IC. The questions and answers also explain how we evaluate IC when we determine whether a person is disabled. The questions answered in the SSR are:

I. What is IC?

II. How does a person establish an MDI of IC?

III. How do we document IC?

IV. How do we evaluate a person's statements about his or her symptoms and functional limitations?

V. How do we find a person disabled based on an MDI of IC?

VI. How do we use the sequential evaluation process to evaluate IC?

SSR 15-1p also includes cross references to additional rulings and Program Operating Manual System instructions.

C. References related to evaluating IC claims

• DI 22505.001 — Medical Evidence of Record (MER) Policies

• DI 22505.003 — Medical and Other Evidence of an Individual’s Impairment(s)

• DI 24501.021 — Considering Allegations of Pain and Other Symptoms in Determining Whether a Medically Determinable Impairment is Severe (SSR 96-3p)

• DI 24510.057 — Sustainability and the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Assessment

• DI 24515.012 — Evaluating Lay Evidence

• DI 24515.021 — How We Evaluate Symptoms, Including Pain

• DI 24515.062 — Your Residual Functional Capacity

• DI 24515.063 — Exertional and Nonexertional Limitations

• Note: SSR 96-7p, “Titles II and XVI: Evaluation of Symptoms in Disability Claims: Assessing the Credibility of an Individual’s Statements” has been replaced with SSR 16-3p, “Titles II and XVI: Evaluation of Symptoms in Disability Claims.” Effective 3/28/16, we no longer use the term “credibility” when evaluating symptoms.

• DI 24515.067— Symptoms Alleged — Determination Rationale

• DI 24515.075 — Evaluating Claims Involving Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

• DI 25005.001 — Determination of Capacity for Past Relevant Work (PRW)—Basics of Step 4 of the Sequential Evaluation Process

• DI 25010.001 — Special Medical-Vocational Profiles

• DI 25025.001 — The Medical-Vocational Guidelines