When the Field Office (FO) sends a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) case or appeal to the Disability Determination Services (DDS), the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), or the Office of Appellate Operations (OAO), the FO provides the folder that contains medical evidence used to make the most recent favorable medical decision, otherwise known as the Comparison Point Decision (CPD) folder. Further information regarding the CPD folder can be found in DI 81010.215.

It is extremely important that the FO make every possible effort to locate the CPD paper folder because it contains the evidence necessary to decide whether the individual will continue to receive benefits. Adjudicating the CDR without the CPD evidence may result in the continuation of benefits to a person whose entitlement would have ended had that evidence from the CPD folder been available. When the CPD paper folder cannot be located, the FO must utilize the procedures in this section before transferring the CDR case to the DDS, OHO, OAO. If the FO locates the CPD paper folder after the CDR case has been transferred or a CDR determination has been made, the FO must utilize the procedures in this section. The CPD paper folder should travel with the CDR case until a final determination is made on the CDR and the appeals period has expired, see DI 13015.092.

Follow the instructions in DI 81010.230B.2 for lost paper CPD folder cases.

When transferring a CDR case in EDCS:

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  Select the “Transfer” tab at the top of the EDCS page.

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  When the transfer page appears, select the box under “All Actions Completed” if the case is ready to send to the DDS, OHO, or OAO.

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  Key in the DDS, OHO, or OAO code in the Destination Office box if it has not propagated, and check the “Transfer disability folder to DDS/ALJ” box.

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  When the “Transfer disability folder to DDS/ALJ” box is checked, eView will highlight the question regarding the paper folder.

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  Select the “Unable to Locate” button.

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  Key the following remark on the Routing Form: “CDR Lost Folder/Medical Evidence. Follow DI 28035.020 Disability Determination Services (DDS) Reconstruction of Prior Folder . Advise if full reconstruction is necessary.”

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  Select “OK” to transfer the case.

  NOTE: 

  Upon transfer, the CS will receive a Confirmation Message stating: “You are transferring a CDR record to <office code> - <office code name>. The paper folder containing the last favorable disability determination has been destroyed or cannot be located. All search efforts are documented in file.”

1. If the CPD paper folder is found or later received by the FO and the initial CDR case is pending at DDS, OHO, or OAO, the CS must send the CPD folder to the DDS, OHO, or OAO where the case is pending. In such cases, the CS should:

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  Create a message in eView stating: “The prior CPD paper folder has been located and is being mailed by the FO to the DDS,OHO, or OAO on MM/DD/YYYY.”

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  Attach an SSA-408 (Route Slip) to the CPD paper folder addressed to the DDS, OHO, or OAO and include the following: “CPD paper folder found; please associate with CDR sent MM/DD/YYYY.”

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  Mail CPD paper folder to DDS, OHO, or OAO.

2. If the CPD paper folder is found or later received by the FO and the DDS has made a final determination, return the folder to the DDS as it may change the determination. In such cases, the CS should:

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  Contact the DDS, DPB, or FDU before sending the medical reactivation. The DDS, DPB, or FDU must agree with the FO to medically reactivate the claim. See DI 81020.117.

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  Reactivate the closed CDR case in EDCS/eView, and add form SSA-5002 stating, "CPD paper folder found and CDR case previously closed. CDR case reactivated by FO on MM/DD/YYYY. Please review for possible reopening and close reactivated case when completed."

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  Transfer the CDR case in EDCS.

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  Attach an SSA-408 to the CPD paper folder addressed to the DDS and include the following remark: “CPD paper folder found and CDR case previously closed. Case reactivated by FO on MM/DD/YYYY. Please review for possible reopening and close reactivated case when completed.”

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  Mail CPD paper folder to DDS.

The DDS should process a reactivated CDR case utilizing existing procedures and policies. For CDR reopening overview, see DI 28501.001. For due process for CDRs, see DI 28080.001.

3. If the CPD paper folder is found or later received by the FO, and there is an appeal pending, the CS must send the CPD folder to the DDS, OHO, or OAO where the appeal is pending, see DI 13015.092. In such cases, the CS should:

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  Create a message in eView stating: "The prior CPD folder has been located and is being mailed by the FO to the DDS, OHO, or OAO on MM/DD/YYYY."

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  Attach an SSA-408 to the CPD paper folder addressed to the DDS, OHO, or OAO and include the following remark: "CPD paper folder found; please associate with CDR appeal sent on MM/DD/YYYY."

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  Mail CPD paper folder to DDS, OHO, or OAO.

4. If the CPD paper folder is found or later received by the FO and OHO or OAO has made a final decision, return the folder to the hearing office or Appeals Council as it may change the decision. In such cases, the CS should:

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  Add form SSA-5002 in eView with a message stating, "CPD paper folder found and CDR decision made on MM/DD/YYYY. Hearing Office or Appeals Council must reactivate closed CDR case, and review for possible reopening and close reactivated case when completed."

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  Attach an SSA-408 to the CPD paper folder addressed to OHO or OAO and include the following remark: "CPD paper folder found and CDR decision made on MM/DD/YYYY. Hearing Office or Appeals Council must reactivate closed CDR case, and review for possible reopening and close reactivated case when complete."

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  Mail CPD paper folder to the hearing office or Appeals Council as appropriate.

OHO and OAO should follow current reactivation procedures, and refer to their reopening and due process policies.