Social Security Ruling (SSR) 96-6p. Titles II and XVI: Consideration of Administrative Findings of Fact by State Agency Medical and Psychological Consultants and Other Program Physicians and Psychologists at the Administrative Law Judge and Appeals Council Levels of Administrative Review; Medical Equivalence

In accordance with 20 CFR 422.406(b)(1), the Commissioner of Social Security gives notice of Social Security Ruling SSR 96-6p. This Ruling clarifies Social Security Administration policy regarding the consideration of findings of fact by State agency medical and psychological consultants and other program physicians and psychologists by adjudicators at the administrative law judge and Appeals Council levels. Also, the Ruling restores to the Rulings and clarifies policy interpretations regarding administrative law judge and Appeals Council responsibility for obtaining opinions of physicians or psychologists designated by the Commissioner of Social Security regarding equivalence to listings in the Listing of Impairments (appendix 1, subpart P of 20 CFR part 404) formerly in SSR 83-19, ``Titles II and XVI: Finding Disability on the Basis of Medical Considerations Alone--The Listing of Impairments and Medical Equivalency.'' SSR 83-19 was rescinded without replacement by SSR 91-7c (C.E. 1990-1991, p. 92) as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Sullivan v. Zebley, 493 U.S. 521 (1990), which invalidated the use of a medical ``listings only'' approach to evaluating disability claims of individuals under 18 years of age under the supplemental security income program. That decision has no bearing on the aspects of SSR 83- 19 that we are restoring in this Ruling.