When a claimant’s height is material to the finding of disability, ensure that the measure of the claimant’s height is without shoes.

If reported height measured in inches falls between whole number values, round off a claimant’s height to the nearest inch by whole number.

If reported height is at precisely one-half inch, round off height to give the advantage to the claimant.

EXAMPLES

Round up height to 57 inches for a 56½-inch claimant who is malnourished. This will result in a lower BMI and be in the claimant’s favor.

Round down a height 56 inches for a 56½-inch claimant who is obese. This will result in a higher BMI and be in the claimant’s favor.

Round down a height to 56 inches for a claimant who is 56¼ inches tall. This is the nearest inch by whole number.

A centimeter is a small unit (0.39 inches). This provides sufficient precision for clinical purposes. Rounding of reported height measurements is not necessary for height reported in centimeters because sources do not report fractions of centimeters in height measurements. However, in the unusual instance in which a source does report fractions of centimeters in height measurements, use the same instructions for height reported in inches for centimeters.