Effective Dates: 05/19/2025 - Present Previous | Next

TN 14 (06-25)

DI 24555.001 Evaluating Cases Involving Interstitial Cystitis — SSR 15-1p

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 listed here:

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 (POMS) instructions.

C. References related to evaluating IC claims

  • •

    DI 22505.001 Medical and Nonmedical Evidence

  • •

    DI 22505.003 Evidence from an Acceptable Medical Source (AMS)

  • •

    DI 24501.021 Evaluating Symptoms

  • •

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

  • •

    DI 24515.012 Evaluating Lay Evidence

  • •

    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 24515.075 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 Medical-Vocational Profiles

  • •

    DI 25025.001 The Medical-Vocational Guidelines

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0424555001
DI 24555.001 - Evaluating Cases Involving Interstitial Cystitis — SSR 15-1p - 05/19/2025
Batch run: 06/26/2025
Rev:05/19/2025