The individual is a Title XVI recipient and disability was established at the CPD
due to the severity of the individual’s bipolar disorder. The individual currently
works 20 hours a week as a cashier at a grocery store.
The available evidence lacked detailed functional information necessary to assess
the individual’s bipolar disorder. The DDS adjudicator spoke with the individual and
obtained additional information about the activities performed in work and general
activities of daily living. This information is documented in the Case Notes section
of the DDE. The activities performed in work provided functional information, and
the activities performed in work were considered in the determination, supported by
the policy established in DI 28030.026D. Please refer to the PRT in the DDE for a discussion of how this information was used
to assess function, along with other medical and non-medical evidence used to evaluate
impairment severity. The functional information provided by the individual did not
conflict with other medical and non-medical evidence evaluated at the time of the
CDR.
Example of correspondence about work activities:
The SSA-454-BK indicated that the individual worked since the CPD. The adjudicator
contacted the individual and obtained the following information during the call. The
individual
explained that job duties include scanning and entering items at the cash register,
resolving
customer disputes, money handling, counting the register till at the end of each shift,
assisting
customers in locating items in the store, and re-stocking items near the register
when time allows.
The individual indicates that they have maintained a good working relationship with
management,
co-workers, and customers. The individual stated that they were recently offered a
promotion to work
as a shift lead at the customer service desk.
Example of how information is used in PRT (excerpt – does not include full
discussion of medical evidence):
The information obtained by the adjudicator regarding activities performed in work
are
consistent with the available medical evidence and support a finding that MI has occurred.
At the
CPD, the individual had demonstrated significant problems appropriately interacting
with others due
to bipolar disorder. At the CPD, the individual left several medical appointments
due to frustration
and arguments and a third party reported frequent problems interacting, resulting
in the individual
hanging up on phone calls and leaving home of friends and stores slamming doors and
yelling. The
activities performed in work since the CPD demonstrate that the individual’s ability
to interact
with others and adapt and manage oneself have improved, demonstrated by daily successful
interactions with customers in a retail setting and positive relationships with management,
co-workers, and customers.