TN 54 (12-14)

DI 11010.540 Medical Evidence Received From a Foreign Source

A. Evidence received from sources within the U.S., Canada or Mexico

The field office (FO) will do the following:

  • Examine the application and evidence for completeness.

  • Contact the claimant or his or her alternate contact for any additional necessary information.

The FO will not:

  • Try to determine if a foreign medical report is valid or if a foreign medical source is professionally competent.

  • Directly contact any physicians or medical institutions located in foreign countries.

B. Evidence received from sources outside of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico

The FO must examine the foreign application and the evidence from a foreign applicant for completeness.

  • If the disability or non-disability evidence is not complete and the source of additional development is outside of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, do not ask the source for the additional evidence.

  • Forward the materials to OCO/OIO with a notation concerning any additional development that might be necessary in the case. For information on sending cases to OCO/OIO refer to DI 11010.275.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0411010540
DI 11010.540 - Medical Evidence Received From a Foreign Source - 12/22/2014
Batch run: 12/22/2014
Rev:12/22/2014