Effective Dates: 09/10/2021 - Present Previous | Next

Last Update: 9/10/2021 (Transmittal I-3-184)

HA 01380.020 Writing an Appeals Council Decision

Renumbered from HALLEX section I-3-8-20

A. Audience

The primary audience for a decision is the claimant. Therefore, the Appeals Council (AC) will use plain language that an individual unfamiliar with Social Security terminology can understand, regardless of whether the claimant is represented.

When preparing a decision, the AC will give special attention if a record includes evidence that is potentially detrimental to the claimant's health. If an administrative appeals judge (AAJ) determines that a record includes evidence that is potentially detrimental to a claimant's health, the AAJ will take care when writing the decision not to unnecessarily upset or harm the claimant with the discussion of this evidence. If disclosure or discussion of a particular condition may be detrimental to a claimant's health and the individual is represented, the AC may elect to send a copy of the decision only to the representative. When a decision is sent only to the representative, the AC must also:

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    Inform the claimant that the decision has been sent only to the representative; and

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    Advise the representative to exercise discretion in deciding whether to show the claimant the decision.

When the claimant is unrepresented, the AC must send a copy of the decision to the claimant.

B. Content

An AC decision must be legally sufficient and defensible. The rationale must support and fully explain the AC's findings and conclusion.

An AC decision generally has four basic sections: procedural history, rationale, findings, and decisional paragraph.

1. Procedural History

The procedural history sets forth how the case came before the AC, the basis for the AC's jurisdiction, the issue(s) to be resolved, and a short statement regarding the AC's ultimate conclusion. The AC will also address other procedural issues such as reopening and whether the claimant submitted additional evidence that the AC did not exhibit. See HALLEX HA 01380.001.

2. Rationale

The decision must be set forth carefully. The rationale must reflect the sequential evaluation process and reconcile any significant inconsistencies. Reasonable inferences may be drawn, but presumptions, speculations, and suppositions should not be substituted for evidence.

In the rationale, the AC:

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    Discusses and resolves the issue(s) in the case;

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    Incorporates pertinent findings and conclusions in mental impairment cases based on the special technique described in 20 CFR 404.1520a and 416.920a. The decision must include a specific finding regarding the degree of limitation in each of the functional areas described in 20 CFR 404.1520a(c) and 416.920a(c);

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    For claim(s) filed before March 27, 2017, discusses the weight assigned to evidence in resolving conflicts in the record, stating which evidence is more persuasive and why;

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    For claim(s) filed before March 27, 2017, states how the State agency medical consultant opinions were considered, as required in 20 CFR 404.1527 and 416.927;

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    For claim(s) filed on or after March 27, 2017, articulates the evaluation of the persuasiveness of medical opinions and prior administrative medical findings, as required by 20 CFR 404.1520c and 416.920c;

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    Addresses subjective complaints, pain, and other symptoms when they are factors in the decision;

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    Cites the applicable sections of the Social Security Act, regulations, Social Security Rulings (SSRs), and, when applicable, Acquiescence Rulings; and

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    Addresses drug addiction and/or alcoholism (DAA), when applicable. When a claimant is found disabled and DAA is involved, the AC must address whether DAA is a contributing factor material to the finding of disability, pursuant to 20 CFR 404.1535 and 416.935. See also SSR 13-2p, Titles II and XVI: Evaluating Cases Involving Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DAA).

3. Findings

Findings usually appear as a list of numbered statements. The findings are a brief summary of the issues the AC resolved and explained in the rationale section.

NOTE: 

When a claimant is found disabled and DAA is involved, the AC must make a specific finding regarding whether DAA is a contributing factor material to the finding of disability, pursuant to 20 CFR 404.1535 and 416.935. See question 14 in SSR 13-2p.

4. Decisional Paragraph

The decisional paragraph generally begins with a summary of the ultimate conclusion and a reference to the appropriate sections of the Social Security Act. The paragraph must provide sufficient information for other agency components to understand and effectuate the decision.

C. Spanish Translations

If the claimant has requested correspondence in Spanish or the file indicates there is a need to communicate with the claimant in Spanish, branch staff will prepare the appropriate Spanish language version of the cover notice concerning the claimant's appeal rights. Instructions are set forth in HALLEX HA 01310.060.

D. Claimant Resides in Foreign Country

If the claimant resides in a foreign country, staff must modify the cover letter to advise the claimant that a civil action may be filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, or, if applicable, in the judicial district of the United States where the claimant has their principal place of business. For authority, see section 205(g) of the Social Security Act.

NOTE: 

Residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands are considered United States residents.

E. Adjudicators

At least two administrative appeals judges (AAJs) must sign an AC decision. The “A” member AAJ is also responsible for acting on any fee agreement issues associated with a favorable decision, when applicable.

F. Releasing the Decision

The AC will mail a copy of its decision to all parties at their last known addresses. When a claimant's copy of the decision is returned “unclaimed” or “undeliverable,” follow the procedures in HALLEX HA 01380.030.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/2501380020
HA 01380.020 - Writing an Appeals Council Decision (I-3-8-20) - 09/10/2021
Batch run: 04/20/2025
Rev:09/10/2021