Always provide a written analysis of the persuasiveness of the medical opinions in the file. For claims at the reconsideration level, also provide a written analysis of the administrative medical findings in the initial determination.

When a medical source provides multiple medical opinions, discuss all of the medical source’s opinions in one written analysis. Similarly, when evaluating a reconsideration claim discuss all of a medical consultant’s (MC’s) or a psychological consultant’s (PC’s) prior initial administrative medical findings in one written analysis.

If your electronic case processing system does not allow for combined analysis, you may either:

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  Provide a separate written analysis for each medical opinion or prior administrative medical finding, or

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  Provide a combined written analysis for all medical opinions or prior administrative medical findings in one location and add text as appropriate in all other relevant locations referring a subsequent reviewer to the location of the combined analysis.

Articulate how you considered the factors of supportability and consistency for all medical opinions and prior administrative medical findings because these are the most important factors. Also, articulate how you considered the other most persuasive factors if you find that two or more different medical opinions are both equally well supported and consistent.

The appropriate level of articulation will depend on the unique circumstances of each claim. In most situations, you should also explain how you considered the remaining factors to provide the claimant and subsequent reviewers with a full understanding of your analysis of the evidence.