Social Security makes independent disability determinations. This determination is based on all of the evidence from all sources in your individual case.
Do Disability Decisions By Other Agencies Affect SSA’s Determination Of Disability?
A decision by any other governmental agency or a nongovernmental entity about whether you are disabled, blind, employable, or entitled to any benefits is based on their own rules. The decision is not binding on Social Security and is not the agency’s decision about whether you are disabled or blind under Social Security’s rules. In a claim filed on or after March 27, 2017, Social Security will not provide any analysis in its determination or decision about a decision made by any other governmental agency or a nongovernmental entity about whether you are disabled, blind, employable, or entitled to any benefits. However, Social Security will consider all of the supporting evidence underlying the other governmental agency or nongovernmental entity’s decision that it receives as evidence in your claim.
Do Medical Opinions From A Medical Source Who Regularly Treats You Affect SSA’s Determination Of Disability?
As part of Social Security’s consideration of all evidence in a claim, it considers all medical opinions when making determinations and decisions. Social Security considers several factors, which are listed in the agency’s regulations, to determine how Social Security evaluates medical opinions. Some of these factors include: supportability, consistency, the medical source’s relationship with the claimant, and the medical source’s specialty. The medical source’s relationship with the claimant including the length of the treatment relationship, frequency of examinations, purpose of the treatment relationship, extent of the treatment relationship, and examining relationship are factors Social Security will consider when determining the persuasiveness of that source’s medical opinion(s). However, the most important factors in considering the persuasiveness of a medical source opinion(s) is supportability and consistency. Although not as important, Social Security will also consider the medical source’s specialization as well as other factors.
Does Social Security Consider Non-medical Evidence?
Yes. Social Security will consider all evidence it receives from all sources, including non-medical sources. However, the agency is not required to articulate how it considered evidence from non-medical sources using the requirements.
