[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 20, Volume 1]

[Revised as of April 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 20CFR220.62]



[Page 275]

 

                      TITLE 20--EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS

 

                  CHAPTER II--RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

 

PART 220_DETERMINING DISABILITY--Table of Contents

 

                   Subpart G_Consultative Examinations

 

Sec.  220.62  Reviewing reports of consultative examinations.



    (a) The Board will review the report of the consultative examination 

to determine whether the specific information requested has been 

furnished. The Board will consider these factors in reviewing the 

report:

    (1) Whether the report provides evidence which serves as an adequate 

basis for decision-making in terms of the impairment it assesses.

    (2) Whether the report is internally consistent. Whether all the 

diseases, impairments and complaints described in the history are 

adequately assessed and reported in the physical findings. Whether the 

conclusions correlate the findings from the claimant's medical history, 

physical examination and laboratory tests and explain all abnormalities.

    (3) Whether the report is consistent with the other information 

available to the Board within the specialty of the examination 

requested. Whether the report fails to mention an important or relevant 

complaint within the speciality that is noted on other evidence in the 

file (e.g., blindness in one eye, amputations, flail limbs or claw 

hands, etc.).

    (4) Whether the report is properly signed.

    (b) If the report is inadequate or incomplete, the Board will 

contact the examining consultative physician or psychologist, give an 

explanation of the Board's evidentiary needs, and ask that the physician 

or psychologist furnish the missing information or prepare a revised 

report.

    (c) Where the examination discloses new diagnostic information or 

test results which are significant to the claimant's treatment, the 

Board will consider referral of the consultative examination report to 

the claimant's treating physician or psychologist.

    (d) The Board will take steps to ensure that consultative 

examinations are scheduled only with medical sources who have the 

equipment required to provide an adequate assessment and record of the 

level of severity of the claimant's alleged impairments.