1. Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
If the claimant has alleged a disorder on the schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic
disorders the medical source must provide a detailed description of the following,
as appropriate:
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a. Periods of residence in structured settings such as half-way houses and group homes;
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b. Frequency and duration of episodes of illness and periods of remission; and
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c. Side effects of medications.
2. Neurocognitive disorders
If the claimant has alleged a neurocognitive disorder, the medical source must provide
a detailed description of the following, as appropriate:
a. The etiology of the disorder and onset date (if known), the prognosis, and:
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1. Whether there is an acute or chronic process;
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2. Whether stable or progressive;
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3. Changes at various points in time; and
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4. Whether there has been a clinically significant decline in cognitive functioning
and, if so, the basis for the conclusion that there has been a decline.
b. The results of any psychological or neuropsychological testing that may have been
performed that could serve to further document an organic process and its severity.
c. Information regarding the results of any neurological evaluations.
3. Intellectual disability
The report of intellectual disability should include the following:
a. Current documentation of IQ by a standardized test of general intelligence; Acceptable
test instruments (for example, the Wechsler scales) are those that:
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1. Meet contemporary psychometric standards for validity, reliability, normative data,
and scope of measurement;
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2. Are individually administered according to all pre-requisite testing conditions;
and
3. Have a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.
b. Summary of composite scores;
For example, Full Scale IQ, Verbal Comprehension Index, Perceptual Reasoning Index)
together with the individual subtest scores.
c. Interpretation of the obtained scores;
The medical source should indicate whether the scores are representative of the claimant’s
present level of intellectual functioning.
d. Any factors that may have influenced the results, such as the claimant’s attitude
and degree of cooperation, the presence of visual, hearing, or other physical problems,
and recent prior exposure to the same or similar test; and
e. Consistency of the obtained test results with the claimant’s education, vocational
background, and social adjustment, especially in the area of personal self-sufficiency.