The FO processes railroad (RR) related claims and transfers specific RR claims to the Federal Disability Determination Division Chicago (FDDD), location code V32, instead of the State disability determination services (DDS). FDDD will contact the local DDS for assistance in obtaining medical and non-medical information.

FDDD adjudicates the case and forwards it to the FO for final processing.

Complete FO instructions are located in DI 11050.000.

New claims received in FDDD are assigned to the disability processing specialists (DPS). The DPS receives a certified electronic folder (CEF) claim in the Disability Case Processing System or a paper modular disability folder (MDF) if the claim is excluded from Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) processing, per DI 81010.030 .

The DPS:

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  Screens the case for the possibility of technical denial or improper routing. If found, returns the case to the FO.

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  Immediately contacts the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to determine if they have a disability claim and secures copies of their determination plus any medical evidence, per DI 44001.115B.

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  Reviews all claim forms and medical evidence submitted with the case or received from RRB to see if an immediate allowance is possible based on the available evidence, per DI 44001.115C.

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  Requests, as needed, the SSA-3373 Daily Activities Report, SSA-3380 Third Party Report, SSA-3369 Work History Report, and any additional information or questionnaires.

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  Sends an assistance request (AR) to the DDS in the claimant’s state of residence to develop medical evidence from the claimant’s medical sources as appropriate, per DI 44001.115D.

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  Sends the case for medical consultant/psychological consultant (MC/PC) assessment upon completion of medical development.

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  Requests a consultative examination (CE), as required, via AR to the DDS in the claimant's state of residence. Upon receipt of CE report (or failure to attend CE documentation), refers the case for MC/PC final assessment, per DI 44001.115D.

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  Makes the disability determination, together with the MC/PC.

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  Prepares the case for effectuation of the disability determination.

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  Coordinates determination with the RRB.

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  Processes determination(s), and routes closed cases to the FO for final processing.