To clarify longstanding policy that, unless and until a Social Security Acquiescence Ruling (AR) is issued determining that a final circuit court holding conflicts with the Agency's interpretation of the Social Security Act or regulations and explaining how SSA will apply such a holding, SSA decisionmakers continue to be bound by SSA's nationwide policy, rather than the court's holding, in adjudicating other claims within that circuit court's jurisdiction. This Ruling is also issued to clarify longstanding Agency policy that, despite a district court decision which may conflict with SSA's interpretation of the Social Security Act or regulations, SSA adjudicators will continue to apply SSA's nationwide policy when adjudicating other claims within that district court's jurisdiction unless the court directs otherwise.

Because a determination whether an impairment(s) is severe requires an assessment of the functionally limiting effects of an impairment(s), symptom-related limitations and restrictions must be considered at this step of the sequential evaluation process, provided that the individual has a medically determinable impairment(s) that could reasonably be expected to produce the symptoms. If the adjudicator finds that such symptoms cause a limitation or restriction having more than a minimal effect on an individual's ability to do basic work activities, the adjudicator must find that the impairment(s) is severe and proceed to the next step in the process even if the objective medical evidence would not in itself establish that the impairment(s) is severe.

The purpose of this Ruling is to clarify SSA policy on the evaluation of symptoms in the adjudication of claims. No symptom or combination of symptoms can be the basis for a finding of disability, no matter how genuine the individual's complaints may appear to be, unless there are medical signs and laboratory findings demonstrating the existence of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. A symptom in itself is neither exertional nor nonexertional. Rather, it is the nature of the functional limitations or restrictions caused by an impairment-related symptom that determines whether the impact of the symptom is exertional, nonexertional, or both.

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

This Ruling supersedes Social Security Ruling (SSR) 95-5p. The purpose of this Ruling is to clarify when the evaluation of symptoms, including pain, under 20 CFR 404.1529 and 416.929 requires a finding about the credibility of an individual's statements about pain or other symptom(s) and its functional effects; to explain the factors to be considered in assessing the credibility of the individual's statements about symptoms; and to state the importance of explaining the reasons for the finding about the credibility of the individual's statements in the disability determination or decision.