The Social Security Administration has issued a new ruling that provides guidance on how the agency develops evidence to establish that a person has a medically determinable impairment of chronic fatigue syndrome and how it evaluates chronic fatigue syndrome in disability claims and continuing disability reviews (CDRs) under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. The effective date of SSR 14-1p is April 3, 2014.
Through SSRs, the SSA conveys to the public precedential decisions relating to the federal old-age, survivors, disability; Supplemental Security Income; and special veterans benefits programs. The agency may base SSRs on determinations or decisions made at all levels of administrative adjudication, federal court decisions, Commissioner's decisions, opinions of the Office of the General Counsel, or other interpretations of the law and regulations.
Although SSRs do not have the same force and effect as statutes or regulations, they are binding on all components of the Social Security Administration.
SSR 14-1p will remain in effect until the SSA publishes a notice in the Federal Register that rescinds it, or until the agency publishes a new SSR that replaces or modifies it.
For further information, contact Cheryl A. Williams, Office of Medical Listings Improvement, SSA, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, (410) 965-1020 (79 Fed. Reg. 18750, April 3, 2014).