The holdings contained in the Manual will be applied by decisionmakers (and their
reviewers) making disability determinations.
Many of the holdings contained in the Manual discuss how an Administrative Law Judge
should handle an issue. These principles are included in the Manual to provide background
information on how claims are developed and decided by OHA and may show a more general
principle applicable in DDS development and decisionmaking. For further information,
see DI 42586.095, Exhibit 8. Any questions concerning the application of a Second Circuit holding
should be immediately directed to:
Disability Programs Branch New York Regional Office.