Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2011/05/03/2011-10486/eliminating-the-decision-review-board
Timestamp: 2017-05-22 19:43:40
Document Index: 654887292

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:: Eliminating the Decision Review Board
A Rule by the Social Security Administration on 05/03/2011
24802-24812
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2011-10486
On March 31, 2006, we published final rules in the Federal Register that implemented a number of changes in our process for handling initial disability claims.[1] We referred to those regulations collectively as the Disability Service Improvement process (DSI). We intended DSI to improve the way we handle initial disability claims. DSI added rules that implemented a Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process at the initial level of our administrative review process. It also replaced the reconsideration step of the administrative review process with review by a Federal Reviewing Official (FedRO), established the Office of Medical and Vocational Expertise (OMVE), and made changes to some of the procedures in our ALJ hearing-level process. DSI also eliminated review by the Appeals Council, the final step in our administrative review process. We replaced the Appeals Council with the DRB, which reviewed certain ALJ decisions before those decisions became final. On August 1, 2006, we implemented the DSI rules in our Boston region, which consists of the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. At that time, we planned to implement the DSI rules in our remaining regions over a period of several years.
We have continually monitored the DSI process and made appropriate changes when necessary. For example, we published final rules on September 6, 2007, that implemented the QDD process nationally.[2] In other final rules, we suspended new claims processing through the Office of the Federal Reviewing Official (OFedRO) and the OMVE under subpart C of part 405 on March 23, 2008, so that we could reallocate those resources to reduce the backlog at the ALJ hearing level.[3] In November 2008, the OFedRO issued a decision on the last of the claims it had accepted for review.[4] Thus, in accordance with our March 2008 final rules, the States in the Boston region returned to some of the processes they followed before August 2006, including using either the process for reconsideration of an initial determination in 20 CFR 404.907 and 416.1407 or the testing procedures in 20 CFR 404.906 and 416.1406.
On December 4, 2009, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), Reestablishing Uniform National Disability Adjudication Provisions, which proposed to eliminate DSI and return the Boston region to the rules in parts 404 and 416 that we use to adjudicate disability claims in the rest of the country.[5] We are adopting some of our proposed revisions in these final rules.
In these final rules, we are eliminating the DRB and restoring the Boston region to most of the same rules and procedures at the Appeals Council level under parts 404 and 416 that we currently follow in the rest of the country. We will continue to use our rules about hearings before ALJs under part 405 in the Boston region, including our rules that provide 75-day notice of a hearing and require a claimant to submit all evidence 5 days prior to his or her hearing unless he or she shows good cause. We are eliminating the existing rules that require claimants to ask an ALJ to vacate the ALJ's dismissal of a hearing request. Instead, under our new rules, claimants may appeal an ALJ's dismissal of a hearing request Start Printed Page 24803directly to the Appeals Council, as is our current practice in the rest of the country.
Although we closed a claimant's official record once an ALJ issued his or her decision under the DSI rules,[6] the ALJ could consider new evidence submitted afterwards under certain conditions.[7] The DRB could also consider new evidence under certain conditions. In these final rules, we are eliminating the rule that allowed an ALJ to consider new evidence and adding final section 405.401, which restricts the conditions under which the Appeals Council can accept new evidence in DSI claims. If a claimant appeals an ALJ's dismissal of a hearing request, the Appeals Council will consider additional evidence about the dismissal and decide whether it provides a basis for granting review, as also described in final section 405.401.
We are making a number of conforming changes to sections in parts 404, 405, 416, and 422 to reflect this removal of the DRB rules. Some sections in these final rules differ from the language we proposed in the December 4, 2009 NPRM because these final rules retain the part 405 rules about the ALJ hearing level and include changes made after that date by our final rules “Disability Determinations by State Agency Disability Examiners,” which we published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2010.[8] We have already published final rules in parts 404 and 416 that either removed some aspects of the DSI process or extended them nationally.[9] With the changes to the DSI process in this final rule, we are making a number of conforming changes consistent with the 2010 final rules.
We published an NPRM in the Federal Register on December 4, 2009, and we gave the public 60 days to comment on it.[10] The comment period closed on February 2, 2010. We received comments from six individuals and organizations. The comments are available for public viewing at http://www.regulations.gov. The commenters supported most of the proposed changes but were concerned about three issues, which we discuss below. We carefully considered the comments. Because some of the comments were long, we have condensed, summarized, and paraphrased them. We have tried to summarize the commenters' views accurately, and to respond to the significant issues raised by the commenters that were within the scope of these rules.
Comment: Several of the commenters wanted attorney advisors in our Office of Disability Adjudication and Review to be able to conduct prehearing proceedings and issue fully favorable decisions in the Boston region as they do in the rest of the country.[11] These commenters noted that we precluded attorney advisors from deciding DSI cases.
Response: We are adopting this comment. As the commenters correctly noted, the attorney advisor program is available only to disability claims processed under parts 404 and 416 of our rules, and it does not apply to claims processed under the DSI rules in part 405.[12] We agree with the commenters that we should extend the attorney advisor prehearing process to claims processed in the Boston region as we continue our efforts to reduce the number of disability claims that are awaiting a hearing. Therefore, beginning on the effective date of these final rules, we will allow attorney advisors to conduct prehearing proceedings and issue fully favorable decisions on cases that arise in the Boston region in the same manner as they do in the rest of the country. We are adding this authority in new section 405.342.
Comment: Most of the commenters asked us to extend DSI's 75-day advance notice of a hearing rule in 20 CFR 405.315 to our national rules in 20 CFR 404.938 and 416.1438, which require 20 days advance notice.Start Printed Page 24804
Response: We are not adopting this comment. The rules we proposed on December 4, 2009 addressed only rule changes related to our proposal to eliminate the remaining DSI rules in part 405 of our rules. The commenters' suggestion would make a substantive change to our rules in parts 404 and 416, which is beyond the scope of this rulemaking. We issued for public comment a separate NPRM that proposed to make several substantive changes to our rules in parts 404 and 416, including the change the commenters recommended, on October 29, 2007.[13] We will consider the commenters' suggestion in the context of that rulemaking proceeding.
Regulation Section 20 CFRDescription of public reporting requirementNumber of respondents (annually)Frequency of responseAverage burden per response (minutes)Estimated annual burden (hours)405.1(b)(5), 405.372(b)If applicants have pursued their claims through all levels of the administrative process and are dissatisfied with SSA's final decision, they (or parties acting on their behalf) may request judicial review by filing an action in Federal district court within the stated time period833130417Start Printed Page 24805405.1(c)(2)Applicants appealing SSA's decisions must provide evidence to support their claims5,310110885405.20If one wants an extension past the deadline to request administrative or judicial review, one must establish there is good cause for missing the deadline5,310110885405.372(c)If applicants want to submit additional evidence to the Appeals Council, the Council will only consider it if it meets certain criteria5,310110885405.505If one files for an extension of time to file a civil action, one must file that request with the Appeals Council833130417Total17,5963,489
Regulation section 20 CFRDescription of public reporting requirementNumber of respondents (annually)Frequency of responseAverage burden per response (minutes)Estimated annual burden (hours)404.961, 416.1461, 405.330, and 405.366An individual may request a pre-hearing or post-hearing conference12,2201204,073404.950, 416.1450, and 405.332An individual has the right to present evidence at a hearing, including the subpoena process1,040120347404.949 and 416.1449An individual (or designated representative) may appear before an administrative law judge to present an oral or written statement of a case2,8681602,868405.334An individual (or designated representative) may, at any time before the hearing begins, submit a pre-hearing statement with an explanation of the alleged disability2016020404.957, 416.1457, and 405.380Explain the conditions under which an administrative law judge may dismiss a request for hearing21,0411103,507405.381Outlines the contents of the notice of dismissal and the procedures for requesting Appeals Council review of the dismissal decision3713019405.401Explains procedures for requesting review of a hearing decision or a dismissal of a hearing request and the conditions under which the Appeals Council will consider new evidence5,310110885404.982 & 416.1482Pertains to the extension of time for filing an action in a Federal district court1,687130844404.987 & 404.988 and 416.1487 & 416.1488 and 405.601Outlines the conditions under which we may reopen a final decision or determination12,4251306,213Totals56,64818,776
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 96.001, Social Security—Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social Start Printed Page 24806Security—Retirement Insurance; 96.004, Social Security—Survivors Insurance; and 96.006, Supplemental Security Income)
Start Amendment Part1. The authority citation for subpart J of part 404 is revised to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part2. Amend § 404.906 by removing the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (b)(4).End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part3. Amend § 404.930 by removing paragraph (c).End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part4. The authority citation for subpart P of part 404 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part5. Amend § 404.1502 by revising the definition of “nonexamining source” to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1502 General definitions and terms for this subpart.
Start Amendment Part6. Amend § 404.1512 by revising paragraph (b)(8) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1512 Evidence.
(8) At the administrative law judge and Appeals Council levels, findings, other than the ultimate determination about whether you are disabled, made by State agency medical or psychological consultants and other program physicians or psychologists, or other medical specialists, and opinions expressed by medical experts or psychological experts that we consult based on their review of the evidence in your case record. See §§ 404.1527(f)(2)-(3).
Start Amendment Part7. Amend § 404.1513 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (c) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1513 Medical and other evidence of your impairment(s).
Start Amendment Part8. Amend § 404.1519k by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1519k Purchase of medical examinations, laboratory tests, and other services.
Start Amendment Part9. Amend § 404.1519m by revising the third sentence to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1519m Diagnostic tests or procedures.
Start Amendment Part10. Amend § 404.1519s by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1519s Authorizing and monitoring the consultative examination.
Start Amendment Part11. Amend § 404.1520a by revising the third sentence and removing the fourth sentence of paragraph (d)(2), and revising paragraphs (e) introductory text, (e)(1), (e)(4), and (e)(5) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1520a Evaluation of mental impairments.
(e) Documenting application of the technique. At the initial and reconsideration levels of the administrative review process, we will complete a standard document to record Start Printed Page 24807how we applied the technique. At the administrative law judge hearing and Appeals Council levels (in cases in which the Appeals Council issues a decision), we will document application of the technique in the decision. The following rules apply:
(1) When a State agency medical or psychological consultant makes the determination together with a State agency disability examiner at the initial or reconsideration level of the administrative review process as provided in § 404.1615(c)(1) of this part, the State agency medical or psychological consultant has overall responsibility for assessing medical severity. A State agency disability examiner may assist in preparing the standard document. However, our medical or psychological consultant must review and sign the document to attest that it is complete and that he or she is responsible for its content, including the findings of fact and any discussion of supporting evidence.
(5) If the administrative law judge requires the services of a medical expert to assist in applying the technique but such services are unavailable, the administrative law judge may return the case to the State agency or the appropriate Federal component, using the rules in § 404.941 of this part, for completion of the standard document. If, after reviewing the case file and completing the standard document, the State agency or Federal component concludes that a determination favorable to you is warranted, it will process the case using the rules found in § 404.941(d) or (e) of this part. If, after reviewing the case file and completing the standard document, the State agency or Federal component concludes that a determination favorable to you is not warranted, it will send the completed standard document and the case to the administrative law judge for further proceedings and a decision.
Start Amendment Part12. Amend § 404.1526 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (d) and paragraph (e) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1526 Medical equivalence.
(e) Who is responsible for determining medical equivalence? In cases where the State agency or other designee of the Commissioner makes the initial or reconsideration disability determination, a State agency medical or psychological consultant or other designee of the Commissioner (see § 404.1616 of this part) has the overall responsibility for determining medical equivalence. For cases in the disability hearing process or otherwise decided by a disability hearing officer, the responsibility for determining medical equivalence rests with either the disability hearing officer or, if the disability hearing officer's reconsideration determination is changed under § 404.918 of this part, with the Associate Commissioner for Disability Programs or his or her delegate. For cases at the administrative law judge or Appeals Council level, the responsibility for deciding medical equivalence rests with the administrative law judge or Appeals Council.
Start Amendment Part13. Amend § 404.1527 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (f)(1) and removing paragraph (f)(4), to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1527 Evaluating opinion evidence.
(1) In claims adjudicated by the State agency, a State agency medical or psychological consultant may make the determination of disability together with a State agency disability examiner or provide one or more medical opinions to a State agency disability examiner when the disability examiner makes the initial or reconsideration determination alone (see § 404.1615(c) of this part). * * *
Start Amendment Part14. Amend § 404.1529 by revising the third and fifth sentences of paragraph (b) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1529 How we evaluate symptoms, including pain.
(b) * * * In cases decided by a State agency (except in disability hearings under §§ 404.914 through 404.918 of this part and in fully favorable determinations made by State agency disability examiners alone under § 404.1615(c)(3) of this part), a State agency medical or psychological consultant or other medical or psychological consultant designated by the Commissioner directly participates in determining whether your medically determinable impairment(s) could reasonably be expected to produce your alleged symptoms. * * * At the administrative law judge hearing or Appeals Council level of the administrative review process, the adjudicator(s) may ask for and consider the opinion of a medical or psychological expert concerning whether your impairment(s) could reasonably be expected to produce your alleged symptoms. * * *
Start Amendment Part15. Amend § 404.1546 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (a) and paragraph (c), and removing paragraph (d), to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1546 Responsibility for assessing your residual functional capacity.
(a) Responsibility for assessing residual functional capacity at the State agency. When a State agency medical or psychological consultant and a State agency disability examiner make the disability determination as provided in § 404.1615(c)(1) of this part, a State agency medical or psychological consultant(s) is responsible for assessing your residual functional capacity. * * *
Start Amendment Part16. The authority citation for subpart Q of part 404 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Printed Page 24808
Start Amendment Part17. Amend § 404.1601 by removing the third sentence of the introductory text.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part18. Amend § 404.1616 by removing the third sentence of paragraph (b), and removing paragraph (e)(4).End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part19. Amend § 404.1624 by revising the first sentence to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 404.1624 Medical and other purchased services.
Start Amendment Part20. The authority citation for part 405 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part21. Amend § 405.1 by adding a third sentence to paragraph (b)(1) and revising paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), (b)(5), the first sentence of (c)(2), and (c)(3) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.1 Introduction.
(2) Reconsideration. If you are dissatisfied with the initial determination, you may ask us to reconsider it. We use the procedures in part 404 subpart J of this chapter, part 416 subpart N of this chapter, or both, for your reconsideration determination. You must follow the procedure in §§ 404.909 or 416.1409 of this chapter to request reconsideration.
(2) Evidence considered and right to representation. Subject to §§ 405.331 and 405.430, you may present and we will consider information in support of your claim. * * *
Start Amendment Part22. Revise § 405.5 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.5 Definitions.
Evidence means evidence as defined under §§ 404.1512 and 416.912 of this chapter.
Start Amendment Part23. Remove and reserve § 405.10.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part24. Amend § 405.20 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (a) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.20 Good cause for extending deadlines.
Start Amendment Part25. Remove and reserve subparts B and C.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part26. Amend § 405.301 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (a) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.301 Hearing before an administrative law judge—general.
(a) This subpart explains what to do if you are dissatisfied with a reconsidered determination or an initial determination subject to a hearing by an administrative law judge under the procedures in this part as a result of § 404.906(b)(4) or § 416.1406(b)(4) of this chapter. * * *
Start Amendment Part27. Revise § 405.305 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.305 Availability of a hearing before an administrative law judge.
You may request a hearing before an administrative law judge if you are dissatisfied with the reconsidered determination on your disability claim or an initial determination subject to a hearing by an administrative law judge under the procedures in this part as a result of §§ 404.906(b)(4) or 416.1406(b)(4) of this chapter.
Start Amendment Part28. Amend § 405.310 by revising paragraph (a)(3) and the first sentence of paragraph (b) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Printed Page 24809
§ 405.310 How to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
(a) Written request. * * *
(b) Time limit for filing request. An administrative law judge will conduct a hearing if you request one in writing no later than 60 days after the date you receive notice of the reconsidered determination or an initial determination subject to a hearing by an administrative law judge under the procedures in this part as a result of § 404.906(b)(4) or § 416.1406(b)(4) of this chapter (or within the extended time period if we extend the time as provided in paragraph (d) of this section). * * *
Start Amendment Part29. Amend § 405.320 by removing the last sentence of paragraph (b).End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part30. Add § 405.342 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.342 Prehearing proceedings and decisions by attorney advisors.
After a hearing is requested but before it is held, an attorney advisor may conduct prehearing proceedings as set out in §§ 404.942(c) or 416.1442(c) of this chapter. If, after the completion of these proceedings, we can make a decision that is fully favorable to you and all other parties based on the preponderance of the evidence, an attorney advisor, instead of an administrative law judge, may issue the decision. We use the procedures §§ 404.942 or 416.1442 of this chapter when we conduct prehearing proceedings or issue decisions under this section.
Start Amendment Part31. Amend § 405.360 by revising the last sentence to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.360 Official record.
* * * Subject to § 405.401(c), the official record closes once the administrative law judge issues his or her decision regardless of whether it becomes our final decision.
Start Amendment Part32. Amend § 405.365 by revising paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.365 Consolidated hearing before an administrative law judge.
Start Amendment Part33. Amend § 405.370 by removing the third sentence of paragraph (a) and revising the third sentence of paragraph (b) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.370 Decisions by the administrative law judge.
Start Amendment Part34. Amend § 405.371 by revising the second and third sentences to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.371 Notice of the decision of an administrative law judge.
Start Amendment Part35. Revise § 405.372 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.372 Effect of an administrative law judge's decision.
(c) An administrative law judge or the Appeals Council revises the decision under § 405.601 of this part;
(d) You use the expedited appeals process described in §§ 404.923 through 404.928 or 416.1423 through 416.1428 of this chapter;
(e) The ALJ decided the case after a Federal court remanded your case to us, and the Appeals Council follows the procedures in §§ 404.984 or 416.1484 of this chapter to assume jurisdiction of your case; or
Start Amendment Part36. Remove and reserve § 405.373.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part37. Amend § 405.381 by revising the second and third sentences to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.381 Notice of dismissal of a request for a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Start Amendment Part38. Remove and reserve § 405.382.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part39. Revise § 405.383 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.383 Effect of dismissal of a request for a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Start Amendment Part40. Revise the heading of subpart E of part 405 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part41. Revise § 405.401 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.401 Appeals Council review.
(a) If you (or any other party) are dissatisfied with the hearing decision or with the dismissal of a hearing request under this part, you may request that the Appeals Council review that action. The Appeals Council may also initiate review on its own motion. Except as specifically provided in this subpart, we will follow our rules for Appeals Council review in §§ 404.966 through 404.984 and 416.1466 through 416.1484 of this chapter.
(b) If you seek Appeals Council review, you must file your request within the time period and in accordance with the procedures in §§ 404.968 and 416.1468 of this chapter. The Appeals Council will consider additional evidence only in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
Start Amendment Part42. Remove and reserve §§ 405.405, 405.410, 405.415, 405.420, 405.425, and 405.427.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part43. Revise § 405.430 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.430 Record before the Appeals Council.
Subject to § 405.401(c), the record is closed as of the date of the administrative law judge's decision, and the Appeals Council will base its action on the same evidence that was before the administrative law judge.
Start Amendment Part44. Remove and reserve §§ 405.440, 405.445, and 405.450.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part45. Amend § 405.505 by revising the third sentence to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.505 Extension of time to file a civil action.
Start Amendment Part46. Revise § 405.510 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 405.510 Claims remanded by a Federal court.
Start Amendment Part47. Remove and reserve subpart H.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part48. The authority citation for subpart I of part 416 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part49. Amend § 416.902 by revising the definition of “nonexamining source” to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.902 General definitions and terms for this subpart.
Start Amendment Part50. Amend § 416.912 by revising paragraph (b)(8) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.912 Evidence.
(8) At the administrative law judge and Appeals Council levels, findings, other than the ultimate determination about whether you are disabled, made by State agency medical or psychological consultants and other program physicians or psychologists, or other medical specialists, and opinions expressed by medical experts or psychological experts that we consult based on their review of the evidence in your case record. See §§ 416.927(f)(2)-(3).
Start Amendment Part51. Amend § 416.913 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (c) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.913 Medical and other evidence of your impairment(s).
Start Amendment Part52. Amend § 416.919k by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.919k Purchase of medical examinations, laboratory tests, and other services.
(a) The rate of payment for purchasing medical or other services necessary to make determinations of disability may not exceed the highest rate paid by Federal or public agencies in the State for the same or similar types of service. See §§ 416.1024 and 416.1026 of this part.
Start Amendment Part53. Amend § 416.919m by revising the third sentence to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.919m Diagnostic tests or procedures.
Start Amendment Part54. Amend § 416.919s by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.919s Authorizing and monitoring the consultative examination.
Start Amendment Part55. Amend § 416.920a by revising the third sentence and removing the fourth sentence of paragraph (d)(2) and revising paragraphs (e) introductory text, (e)(1), (e)(4), and (e)(5) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.920a Evaluation of mental impairments.
(1) When a State agency medical or psychological consultant makes the determination together with a State agency disability examiner at the initial or reconsideration level of the administrative review process as provided in § 416.1015(c)(1) of this part, the State agency medical or psychological consultant has overall Start Printed Page 24811responsibility for assessing medical severity. A State agency disability examiner may assist in preparing the standard document. However, our medical or psychological consultant must review and sign the document to attest that it is complete and that he or she is responsible for its content, including the findings of fact and any discussion of supporting evidence.
Start Amendment Part56. Amend § 416.924 by revising paragraph (g) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.924 How we determine disability for children.
(g) How we will explain our findings. When we make an initial or reconsidered determination whether you are disabled under this section or whether your disability continues under § 416.994a (except when a disability hearing officer makes the reconsideration determination), we will complete a standard form, Form SSA-538, Childhood Disability Evaluation Form. The form outlines the steps of the sequential evaluation process for individuals who have not attained age 18. The State agency medical or psychological consultant (see § 416.1016 of this part) or other designee of the Commissioner has overall responsibility for the content of the form and must sign the form to attest that it is complete and that he or she is responsible for its content, including the findings of fact and any discussion of supporting evidence. Disability hearing officers, administrative law judges, and the administrative appeals judges on the Appeals Council (when the Appeals Council makes a decision) will not complete the form but will indicate their findings at each step of the sequential evaluation process in their determinations or decisions.
Start Amendment Part57. Amend § 416.926 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (d) and revising paragraph (e) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.926 Medical equivalence for adults and children.
Start Amendment Part58. Amend § 416.926a by revising paragraph (n) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.926a Functional equivalence for children.
Start Amendment Part59. Amend § 416.927 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (f)(1) and removing paragraph (f)(4), to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.927 Evaluating opinion evidence.
(1) In claims adjudicated by the State agency, a State agency medical or psychological consultant may make the determination of disability together with a State agency disability examiner or provide one or more medical opinions to a State agency disability examiner when the disability examiner makes the initial or reconsideration determination alone (See § 416.1015(c) of this part). * * *
Start Amendment Part60. Amend § 416.929 by revising the third and fifth sentences of paragraph (b) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.929 How we evaluate symptoms, including pain.
(b) * * * In cases decided by a State agency (except in disability hearings under §§ 416.1414 through 416.1418 of this part and in fully favorable determinations made by State agency disability examiners alone under § 416.1015(c)(3) of this part), a State agency medical or psychological consultant or other medical or psychological consultant designated by the Commissioner directly participates in determining whether your medically determinable impairment(s) could reasonably be expected to produce your alleged symptoms. * * * At the Start Printed Page 24812administrative law judge hearing or Appeals Council level of the administrative review process, the adjudicator(s) may ask for and consider the opinion of a medical or psychological expert concerning whether your impairment(s) could reasonably be expected to produce your alleged symptoms. * * *
Start Amendment Part61. Amend § 416.946 by revising the first sentence in paragraph (a) and paragraph (c), and removing paragraph (d), to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.946 Responsibility for assessing your residual functional capacity.
(a) Responsibility for assessing residual functional capacity at the State agency. When a State agency medical or psychological consultant and a State agency disability examiner make the disability determination as provided in § 416.1015(c)(1) of this part, a State agency medical or psychological consultant(s) is responsible for assessing your residual functional capacity. * * *
Start Amendment Part62. The authority citation for subpart J of part 416 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part63. Amend § 416.1001 by removing the third sentence of the introductory text.End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part64. Amend § 416.1016 by removing the third sentence of paragraph (b) and removing paragraph (e)(4).End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part65. Amend § 416.1024 by revising the first sentence to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 416.1024 Medical and other purchased services.
Start Amendment Part66. The authority citation for subpart N of part 416 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part67. Amend § 416.1406 by removing the third and fourth sentences of paragraph (b)(4).End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part68. Amend § 416.1430 by removing paragraph (c).End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part69. The authority citation for subpart B of part 422 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part70. Amend § 422.130 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (b) and the second sentence of paragraph (c) to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 422.130 Claim procedure.
Start Amendment Part71. Revise § 422.140 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 422.140 Reconsideration of initial determination.
Start Amendment Part72. Revise the heading of subpart C of part 422 to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part73. The authority citation for subpart C of part 422 continues to read as follows:End Amendment Part
Start Amendment Part74. Amend § 422.201 by revising the first and third sentences of the introductory text to read as follows:End Amendment Part
§ 422.201 Material included in this subpart.
71 FR 16424. Many of the changes are found in 20 CFR part 405.
72 FR 51173.
73 FR 2411 (Jan. 15, 2008), corrected at 73 FR 10381 (Feb. 27, 2008).
73 FR at 2412.
74 FR 63688.
Current 20 CFR 405.360.
Current 20 CFR 405.373.
75 FR 62676.
As stated above, under the final rules we published in March 2008 that ended the FedRO and OMVE initiatives, subpart C of part 405 is no longer in effect. See 20 CFR 405.10(d).
73 FR 11349, 11350 (March 3, 2008).
72 FR 61218.