[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 20, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 20CFR220.62]

[Page 277]
 
                      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.