Background

The Social Security Administration has announced a new initiative designed to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that invariably qualify under the Listing of Impairments based on minimal objective medical information. This transmittal updates the instructions contained in HALLEX I-2-1 to include instructions for Compassionate Allowances (CAL) cases.

In January 2008, SSA made changes to the requirements for terminal illness (TERI) cases, and this transmittal incorporates the updated TERI criteria. Additionally, in October 2008, the agency indicated that any previous designations to Military Service Disability Claims (MSDC) should now be referred to as Military Service Casualty Cases (MSCC). This transmittal also updates references and instructions regarding these cases.

Finally, several necessary editorial changes were made to this provision, including adding references to Certified Electronic Folders (CEF).

Explanation of Content and Changes

I-2-1-40 has been modified to include references and necessary procedures for CAL. Changes were made to update TERI criteria and to distinguish MSCC cases. Other editorial changes were also made, including modifying the change from OHA to ODAR, and adding appropriate procedures for CEFs.

I-2-1-55 has been modified to include MSCC and CAL as a critical case designation.

I-2-1-95 has been modified to include MSCC and CAL as a critical case designation.

Date: February 12, 2009