TN 6 (06-23)

DI 28090.060 Rationale Content – Non-severe Impairment(s)

A. Discussion of non-severe impairment(s) in the rationale

For Title II and adult Title XVI cases, an impairment is not severe if it has no more than a minimal effect on an individual's physical or mental ability(ies) to do basic work activities. For a Title XVI child case, an impairment is not severe if it is only a slight abnormality or a combination of slight abnormalities that causes no more than minimal functional limitations.

It is possible that several non-severe impairments could combine to produce a severe impairment. Disability Determination Services (DDS) must consider the combined effect of all the individual's impairments in determining whether the impairments are severe. The adjudicative team will assess the impact of the combination of those impairments on the person's ability to function, rather than assess separately the contribution of each impairment to the restriction of their activity as if each impairment existed alone. When there is a combination of non-severe impairments, the rationale must show consideration the impact of the combination of those impairments on the person's ability to function.

If the impairment(s), when considered singly or in combination, is determined to be non-severe, the rationale will state this fact. For a rationale example, see DI 28090.300D or DI 28090.300Q.

NOTE: The concept of a non-severe impairment(s) does not apply if it has been determined at an earlier step in the continuing disability review (CDR) evaluation process that the current impairment(s) imposes a significant restriction on the ability to perform basic work activities. In this case, the rationale must state that the impairment is severe.

B. References

  • DI 22001.001 Sequential Evaluation of Title II and Title XVI Adult Disability Claims

  • DI 24505.001 Individual Must Have a Medically Determinable Severe Impairment

  • DI 24505.005 Evaluation of Medical Impairments that are Not Severe

  • DI 25220.005 Determining If a Child Has a Severe Impairment(s)


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0428090060
DI 28090.060 - Rationale Content – Non-severe Impairment(s) - 06/30/2023
Batch run: 06/30/2023
Rev:06/30/2023