(Step 2 of Initial and Reconsideration claims, and Step 3 for CDR claims)

Complete this disposition for all cases in which the evidence shows no medically determinable impairment or an impairment or combination of impairments that is a slight abnormality or a combination of slight abnormalities that results in no more than minimal functional limitations.

Use the appropriate section on the prescribed form to explain the factors and evidence that support this finding.

(Step 3 of Initial, Reconsideration, and CDR claims)

Complete this disposition if a child's impairment(s) meets the severity of a listing. Record the complete listing number and subsection. When applicable, complete additional sections on the prescribed form to show how a medical opinion(s) or inconsistent evidence was considered, or to make clear any issue related to the finding. Although no explanation is required, the adjudicative team may use additional sections on the prescribed form to explain a finding of “meets.”

(At Step 3 of Initial, Reconsideration and CDR claims)

Complete this disposition if a child’s impairment(s) medically equals the severity of a listing. Document the complete listing number and subsection. Cite the medical findings that are at least equal to the significance of the findings specified in a listing. If the impairment is not a listed impairment, or the child has a combination of impairments, none of which meets or is medically equivalent to a listing, cite the medical findings that compare to findings in closely analogous listed impairments.

(At Step 3 of Initial, Reconsideration and CDR claims)

Complete this disposition if a child's impairment(s) results in marked limitations in two domains or an extreme limitation in one domain.

NOTE: A functional equals determination based on an example in DI 25225.060 does not require a CDE in eCAT.

(At Step 3 of Initial, Reconsideration, and CDR claims)

Complete this disposition if a child's impairment(s) is severe, but is not of listing-level severity. Make this finding only after considering the factors and evidence, and evaluating and rating the domains.

Complete this disposition if an impairment of listing-level severity is not expected to (or did not) last 12 continuous months, or result in death. Explain in the appropriate section of the prescribed form the relevant factors and evidence that support the finding.

Complete this disposition in all other case dispositions, e.g., whereabouts unknown, failure to cooperate, or continuing disability reviews.

Explain the relevant factors and evidence in the case record that support the finding in the appropriate section of the prescribed form.

The medical or psychological consultant who decides the disposition of the case can be:

• •

  A medical consultant (MC) (see DI 24501.001C1), or

• •

  A psychological consultant (PC) (see DI 24501.001C2).

PCs are limited in the types of impairments that they may assess. This limitation affects who can be the consultant with overall responsibility in deciding the disposition of the case.

Medical advisors (MA) can provide analysis of medical issues related to impairments for which they are qualified to evaluate. For example, a qualified speech-language pathologist can provide an analysis of a language impairment. An MA will use a SSA-416 (Medical Evaluation) to provide the analysis.

An MC must be the consultant with overall responsibility for:

• •

  fully favorable determinations in which there are impairments in multiple disciplines if the case cannot be allowed based solely on an impairment(s) within a PC's discipline;

• •

  all unfavorable and partially favorable determinations involving impairments in multiple disciplines.

NOTE: An MC can also be the consultant with overall responsibility for determinations involving non-physician disciplines.