Do not purchase symptom validity tests (SVT) to address symptom evaluation or issues
of potential malingering as part of a CE. Tests cannot prove whether a claimant is
malingering because there is no test that, when passed or failed, conclusively determines
the claimant’s motivation. Malingering requires a deliberate attempt to deceive.
Examples of SVT include, but are not limited to:
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Rey 15 Item Memory Test (Rey-II),
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Miller Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test (M-FAST),
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Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory,
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Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI),
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Malingering Probability Scale,
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Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms,
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Test of Memory Malingering, and
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Validity Indicator Profile.
EXCEPTION: The Office of Disability Programs may approve rare exceptions to this prohibition
on a case-by-case basis (for example, testing ordered pursuant to a court order).
When necessary, the Office of Hearing Operations will email ^ODP Controls for preapproval
and copy both ^ODP OMP Controls and ||DCO ODD.
REMINDER: Consider referring a case with evidence suggestive of fraud or similar fault to
the Office of Inspector General for investigation. See DI 23025.015.
NOTE: When the results of SVT are part of the medical evidence of record, we consider
them along with all of the relevant evidence in the case record.