POMS Reference

DI 25220: Impairment Severity - Not Severe, Meets and Medical Equals

Citations:

20 CFR 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (the Listing of Impairments); 416.924(c) and (d), 416.924a, 416.925, and 416.926

BASIC (01-01)

A. Policy - you must have a severe impairment (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.

B. Procedure

Consider the effect(s) of the impairment(s) in conjunction with the factors described in DI 25210.001 ff., on the child's functioning to decide whether the impairment(s) is severe per the policy in DI 25220.005A.

If the child does not have a severe impairment(s), find that he/she is not disabled. Explain your determination in Section I of the SSA-538 (see DI 25230.001 ff.).

If the child has a severe impairment(s), consider whether it meets or medically equals the severity of a listed impairment per DI 25220.010 ff.