Clarification of Evidentiary Standard for Determinations and Decisions, 76940-76945 [E8-30056]

Agencies

• Social Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 244 (Thursday, December 18, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76940-76945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30056]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

20 CFR Parts 404, 408, 416, and 422

[Docket No. SSA-2008-0005]
RIN 0960-AG75


Clarification of Evidentiary Standard for Determinations and 
Decisions

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Final Rules.

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SUMMARY: We are amending our rules to clarify that we apply the 
preponderance of the evidence standard when we make determinations and 
decisions at all levels of our administrative review

[[Page 76941]]

process. These rules do not change our policy that the Appeals Council 
applies the substantial evidence standard when it reviews a decision by 
an administrative law judge (ALJ) to determine whether to grant a 
request for review. We are also adding definitions of the terms 
``substantial evidence'' and ``preponderance of the evidence'' for use 
in applying these rules.

DATES: These final rules are effective on January 20, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Silverman, Office of 
Regulations, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, (410) 594-2128, for information about these 
rules. For information on eligibility or filing for benefits, call our 
national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778, or 
visit our Internet site, Social Security Online, at https://
www.socialsecurity.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Version

    The electronic file of this document is available on the date of 
publication in the  Federal Register at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/
index.html.

Explanation of Changes

Our Administrative Review Process

    We currently decide claims for benefits using an administrative 
review process that consists of four levels: Initial determination, 
reconsideration, hearing before an ALJ, and Appeals Council review. See 
20 CFR 404.900, 408.1000, and 416.1400. We make an initial 
determination at the first level. If a person is dissatisfied with the 
initial determination, he may request reconsideration.\1\ If a person 
is dissatisfied with the reconsidered determination, he may request a 
hearing before an ALJ.\2\ Finally, if a person is dissatisfied with the 
ALJ's decision,\3\ he may request that the Appeals Council review that 
decision. Once a person has completed these administrative steps and 
received our final decision, the person may request judicial review of 
the final decision in Federal district court.
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    \1\ For disability claims, there are ten States that are 
participating in a ``prototype'' test under 20 CFR 404.906 and 
416.1406. In these States, the second step for people who are 
dissatisfied with their initial determinations in disability cases 
is a hearing before an ALJ. The ten States are: Alabama, Alaska, 
California (Los Angeles North and West Branches), Colorado, 
Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, and 
Pennsylvania.
    \2\ In some cases, attorney advisors in our Office of Disability 
Adjudication and Review make wholly favorable decisions before an 
ALJ hearing is conducted. 20 CFR 404.942 and 416.1442.
    \3\ The words ``determination'' and ``decision'' are defined in 
20 CFR 404.900 and 416.1400. At the initial and reconsideration 
levels of the administrative review process, we issue 
``determinations.'' At the ALJ hearing and Appeals Council levels, 
we issue ``decisions.''
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    Each adjudicator reviewing a claim in the administrative process 
makes an independent (or de novo) determination or decision based on 
the evidence in the record.\4\ For example, an ALJ would not simply 
review a State agency's initial and reconsideration disability 
determinations to determine whether they were correct. Rather, the ALJ 
would review the evidence in the record and make an independent 
decision.
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    \4\ In some States, adjudicators must consider, and sometimes 
adopt, certain findings made in prior disability adjudications under 
acquiescence rulings (ARs) that we have issued to address circuit 
court holdings. See AR 97-4(9), 62 FR 64038, available at: https://
www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/rulings/ar/09/AR97-04-ar-09.html; AR 
98-3(6), 63 FR 29770, available at: https://www.socialsecurity.gov/
OP_Home/rulings/ar/06/AR98-03-ar-06.html; AR 98-4(6), 63 FR 29771, 
corrected at 63 FR 31266, available at: https://
www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/rulings/ar/06/AR98-04-ar-06.html; 
and AR 00-1(4), 65 FR 1936, available at: https://
www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/rulings/ar/04/AR2000-01-ar-04.html.
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    In contrast, in deciding whether to grant a person's request for 
Appeals Council review of an ALJ's decision, the Appeals Council first 
considers the ALJ's decision and the evidence before the ALJ using the 
substantial evidence standard of review, which we discuss below. If the 
Appeals Council does not grant a request for review, the ALJ's decision 
becomes our final decision.\5\ If the Appeals Council grants the 
request for review, it will usually either remand the case to an ALJ 
for additional proceedings and a new decision or issue its own 
decision.
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    \5\ The Appeals Council may also dismiss the request for review 
either with or without first granting the request. Additionally, the 
Appeals Council may review a case on its own motion without an 
individual asking it to do so. See 20 CFR 404.967, 404.969, 404.984, 
416.1467, 416.1469, and 416.1484. See also 20 CFR 408.1050, which 
incorporates the relevant provisions of 20 CFR 416.1467-416.1482 by 
reference.
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Our Standard of Proof

    A claimant has the burden of proving his claim with us. 
Adjudicators at each level of the administrative review process, 
including the Appeals Council, consider whether a claimant has proven 
his claim using an evidentiary standard called the ``preponderance of 
the evidence'' when they make a determination or decision. We define 
preponderance of the evidence as ``such relevant evidence that as a 
whole shows that the existence of the fact to be proven is more likely 
than not.'' 20 CFR 405.5.
    The Social Security Act does not specify the standard of proof to 
use when we make a determination or decision. Courts and scholars have 
long recognized that the preponderance of the evidence standard is the 
traditional standard of proof in a civil or an administrative 
adjudicatory proceeding.\6\ Our longstanding policy has been that the 
preponderance of the evidence standard applies to determinations or 
decisions on claims under parts 404, 408, and 416.\7\ Prior to these 
final rules, we did not have regulations in parts 404, 408, and 416 
that clearly stated that we use the preponderance of the evidence 
standard when we make a determination or decision. The absence of 
explicit language in these parts explaining the standards we use at 
each level of the administrative process caused some confusion about 
the applicable standard. By issuing these final rules, we intend to 
resolve any confusion about the applicable standard.
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    \6\ Federal courts apply a substantial evidence standard when 
they review our final decisions. 42 U.S.C. 405(g), 1009(b), and 
1383(c)(3).
    \7\ A claimant must give us ``convincing'' evidence to prove 
that he meets certain requirements for eligibility, as described in 
subpart H of parts 404 and 416. Because these final rules address 
the appropriate standard of proof to be applied in making 
determinations or decisions rather than the burden of proving 
eligibility for benefits, these final rules are not applicable to 
subpart H of parts 404 and 416.
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Our Standard of Review at the Appeals Council

    When the Appeals Council considers whether to grant a request for 
review of an ALJ's decision, it does not use a preponderance of the 
evidence standard. Instead, it considers, among other things, whether 
the action, findings, or conclusions of the ALJ are supported by 
substantial evidence.\8\ 20 CFR 404.970(a) and 416.1470(a). The 
definition of substantial evidence in these final rules is ``such 
relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to 
support a conclusion.'' The substantial evidence standard of review 
gives deference to the findings of the ALJ rather than requiring a 
decision based on a new evaluation of the evidence.\9\
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    \8\ The Appeals Council also reviews any new and material 
evidence under 20 CFR 404.970(b) and 416.1470(b).
    \9\ Our regulations also provide that the Associate Commissioner 
for Disability Determinations or his delegate may use the 
substantial evidence standard of review when reviewing a sample of 
disability hearing officers' reconsideration determinations. 20 CFR 
404.918 and 416.1418. In general, disability hearing officers make 
reconsideration determinations in cases of beneficiaries who we have 
determined are no longer disabled. See 20 CFR 404.914-404.918 and 
416.1414-416.1418.

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[[Page 76942]]

    As stated earlier, the Appeals Council uses the substantial 
evidence standard to decide whether to review an ALJ's decision. If it 
grants review and then issues its own decision, the Appeals Council 
uses the preponderance of the evidence standard when it issues its 
decision.

Explanation of Changes

    We are revising several regulation sections in parts 404, 408, 416, 
and 422 to clarify that we use the preponderance of the evidence 
standard of proof to adjudicate claims at all levels of the 
administrative review process. We also are adding a definition of the 
term ``preponderance of the evidence'' in 20 CFR 404.901, 408.1001, and 
416.1401, and a definition of the term ``substantial evidence'' in 20 
CFR 404.901 and 416.1401. These are the same definitions we currently 
use in 20 CFR 405.5.
    We are also making additional changes from the language proposed in 
the NPRM. None of these changes alter the meaning of these sections. 
First, we are revising several of the affected regulatory sections in 
these final rules to put them in active voice and to use consistent 
language. Second, we are making two changes to 20 CFR 422.203(c). We 
are adding a reference to attorney advisor decisions under 20 CFR 
404.942 and 416.1142 and deleting the phrase ``under applicable 
provisions of the law and regulations and appropriate precedents.'' 
These changes make the language in section 20 CFR 422.203(c) consistent 
with the language in final 20 CFR 404.953(a) and 416.1453(a), and they 
acknowledge that, under certain circumstances, attorney advisors can 
make decisions instead of an ALJ under 20 CFR 404.942 and 416.1442.
    We believe these clarifications will improve the accuracy and 
consistency of the decision-making process.
    We have the authority to make these changes under 42 U.S.C. 405(a), 
902(a)(5), 1010(a), and 1383(d)(1).

Public Comments

    In the notice of proposed rulemaking published at 73 FR 33745 (June 
13, 2008), we provided the public with a 60-day period in which to 
comment on the proposed changes. That comment period ended on August 
12, 2008. We received comments from four people. We carefully 
considered each comment. Because some of the comments were long and 
quite detailed, we have condensed, summarized, and paraphrased them in 
the following discussions. However, we have tried to present all views 
adequately and to address carefully all of the significant issues 
raised by the commenters that are within the scope of the proposed 
rules. We generally have not addressed comments that are outside the 
scope of the rulemaking proceeding.
    Comment: One commenter generally supported the proposed rules and 
said that there should be only one evidentiary standard used by our 
adjudicators at all levels of the adjudication process.
    Response: We agree with the commenter that adjudicators at each 
level of the administrative review process, including the Appeals 
Council, should use the same evidentiary standard. These rules provide 
that they will all use the preponderance of the evidence standard of 
proof when they make determinations or decisions. As stated above, the 
Appeals Council only uses the substantial evidence standard of review 
when it considers whether to grant a request for review of an ALJ's 
decision. Although it is unclear from the commenter's letter, to the 
extent that the commenter suggested that the Appeals Council should 
apply the preponderance of the evidence standard of proof when it 
reviews an ALJ's decision, we are not adopting the comment. Our rules 
governing the Appeals Council's use of the substantial evidence 
standard to review ALJ decisions have worked well, and we do not 
believe that there is any reason to change them.
    Comment: Two commenters were concerned that the proposed changes 
could create an ambiguity about who has the burden of proof. One of 
these commenters also said that our determinations and decisions should 
be made based on substantial evidence and that the burden of a party is 
to provide proof by a preponderance of the evidence. Both commenters 
expressed concern that the proposed changes could appear to shift the 
burden of proof in disability cases to us by requiring that we base our 
determinations and decisions on a preponderance of the evidence. One of 
these commenters suggested that we add regulatory text to explain who 
has the burden of proof at each of the five steps of the sequential 
evaluation process that we use to decide whether a person is disabled. 
See 20 CFR 404.1520 and 416.920.
    Response: We are not adopting this comment. These final rules 
concern the appropriate standard of proof, not who has the burden of 
proof at any stage of our sequential evaluation process. Our current 
regulations explain the burden of proof in disability claims.\10\ We 
previously explained the concept of how the burden of proof, a term 
traditionally associated with adversarial litigation, applies in the 
context of our nonadversarial system. 68 FR 51153, 51154-51155 (Aug. 
26, 2003). We do not believe that it is appropriate to make the changes 
suggested by the commenters because these final rules do not change the 
allocation of the burden of proof in our adjudications.
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    \10\ See 20 CFR 404.1512, 404.1560(c)(2), 404.1566(c), 416.912, 
416.960(c)(2), and 416.966(c). A claimant has the burden of 
providing proof of his disability under each of the first four steps 
in the sequential evaluation process. In the fifth and final step of 
the sequential evaluation process, we become responsible for 
providing evidence that demonstrates that other work exists in 
significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant can 
perform after considering the claimant's residual functional 
capacity, age, education, and work experience. However, a claimant 
must persuade us that he is disabled at each step of the sequential 
evaluation process. See Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 (1987).
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    Comment: One commenter said that our use of the word ``review'' in 
several of the proposed sections was ambiguous. The commenter thought 
that it was unclear whether we meant a review of the evidence or a 
review of the determination or decision. The commenter suggested that 
we use a phrase such as ``again look'' instead of ``review'' when we 
refer to reviewing evidence.
    Response: We are not adopting this comment. In many sections of our 
rules, we use the word ``review'' to refer generally to a consideration 
of evidence. With regard to the Appeals Council's review of a decision 
or a dismissal, we use the word ``review'' as a term of art.\11\ We 
believe that the plain meaning of the word is readily apparent in the 
context of the sections of the regulations in which we use it, and we 
are not aware that these longstanding usages have confused either 
adjudicators or the public.
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    \11\ See, e.g., 20 CFR 404.967 and 416.1467.
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    Comment: One commenter suggested changes to our proposed language 
for 20 CFR 404.979, 404.984, 416.1479, and 416.1484. Specifically, the 
commenter suggested amending those sections to state that the Appeals 
Council uses the substantial evidence standard when it remands a case 
to an ALJ, and that the Appeals Council will remand a case it reviewed 
to an ALJ for further proceedings unless the decision being appealed is 
supported by substantial evidence.
    Response: We are not adopting this comment because it is 
inconsistent with our existing regulations, which provide that the 
Appeals Council may grant a request for review and remand a case for 
reasons other than a lack of substantial evidence to support a 
decision. See 20

[[Page 76943]]

CFR 404.970 and 416.1470. The Appeals Council may also remand a case to 
an ALJ pursuant to a Federal court's instructions without conducting 
its own review. See 20 CFR 404.983 and 416.1483.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that we change both of our 
proposed definitions. He also suggested that we adopt a new term-- 
``substantial evidence standard of review''-- that would address when a 
reviewing body may remand a decision based on an adjudicator's failure 
to discuss evidence and that we amend 20 CFR 404.902 and 416.1492 
accordingly.
    Response: We are not adopting this comment. As we noted above, our 
definitions of the terms ``preponderance of the evidence'' and 
``substantial evidence'' are taken directly from our existing rule in 
20 CFR 405.5. The definitions in that rule are based on accepted 
definitions and are consistent with our longstanding usage. The 
commenter's proposed additions to these definitions would not 
appreciably clarify our rules, and some of the language the commenter 
proposed could raise questions among the public and our adjudicators. 
We also believe that our adjudicators and the public are familiar with 
the concept of substantial evidence because our subregulatory 
instructions have included a definition of ``substantial evidence'' for 
approximately 37 years. See SSR 71-53c.
    The commenter's other proposals are beyond the scope of this 
rulemaking because they focus on how the Appeals Council or a Federal 
court can determine whether a decision is supported by substantial 
evidence. If we decide that it would be appropriate to adopt rules 
along the lines proposed by the commenter, we would first follow the 
Administrative Procedure Act's rulemaking procedures.

Regulatory Procedures

Executive Order 12866, as Amended

    We have consulted with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
and determined that these rules do not meet the criteria for a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, as amended. 
Thus, they were not subject to OMB review.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    We certify that these rules will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities as they affect 
individuals only. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis as 
provided in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, is not 
required.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    These rules will impose no additional reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements requiring OMB clearance.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 96.001, Social 
Security--Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social Security--Retirement 
Insurance; 96.004, Social Security--Survivors Insurance; 96.006, 
Supplemental Security Income)

List of Subjects

20 CFR Part 404

    Administrative practice and procedure, Blind, Disability benefits, 
Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Social Security.

20 CFR Part 408

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aged, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Social Security, Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI), Veterans.

20 CFR Part 416

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aged, Blind, Disability 
benefits, Public assistance programs, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

20 CFR Part 422

    Administrative practice and procedure, Organization and functions 
(Government agencies), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Social 
Security.

    Dated: December 12, 2008.
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social Security.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, we are amending subpart J of 
part 404, subpart J of part 408, subpart N of part 416, and subparts B 
and C of part 422 of chapter III of title 20 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations as set forth below:

PART 404--FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE 
(1950-)

Subpart J--[Amended]

0
1. The authority citation for subpart J of part 404 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 201(j), 204(f), 205(a), (b), (d)-(h), and (j), 
221, 223(i), 225, and 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 401(j), 404(f), 405(a), (b), (d)-(h), and (j), 421, 423(i), 
425, and 902(a)(5)); sec. 5, Pub. L. 97-455, 96 Stat. 2500 (42 
U.S.C. 405 note); secs. 5, 6(c)-(e), and 15, Pub. L. 98-460, 98 
Stat. 1802 (42 U.S.C. 421 note); sec. 202, Pub. L. 108-203, 118 
Stat. 509 (42 U.S.C. 902 note).


0
2. Amend Sec.  404.901 by adding the definitions for ``Preponderance of 
the evidence'' and ``Substantial evidence'' in alphabetical order to 
read as follows:


Sec.  404.901  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Preponderance of the evidence means such relevant evidence that as 
a whole shows that the existence of the fact to be proven is more 
likely than not.
* * * * *
    Substantial evidence means such relevant evidence as a reasonable 
mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
* * * * *

0
3. Amend Sec.  404.902 by revising the second sentence and adding a new 
sentence before the existing third sentence in the introductory text to 
read as follows:


Sec.  404.902  Administrative actions that are initial determinations.

    * * * We will base our initial determination on the preponderance 
of the evidence. We will state the important facts and give the reasons 
for our conclusions in the initial determination. * * *
* * * * *

0
4. Amend Sec.  404.917 by revising the second sentence of paragraph (b) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  404.917  Disability hearing-disability hearing officer's 
reconsidered determination.

* * * * *
    (b) * * * The disability hearing officer must base the reconsidered 
determination on the preponderance of the evidence offered at the 
disability hearing or otherwise included in your case file.
* * * * *

0
5. Revise Sec.  404.920 to read as follows:


Sec.  404.920  Reconsidered determination.

    After you or another person requests a reconsideration, we will 
review the evidence we considered in making the initial determination 
and any other evidence we receive. We will make our determination based 
on the preponderance of the evidence.

0
6. Amend Sec.  404.941 by revising the second sentence of paragraph (a) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  404.941  Prehearing case review.

    (a) * * * That component will decide whether it should revise the 
determination based on the preponderance of the evidence. * * *
* * * * *

[[Page 76944]]


0
7. Amend Sec.  404.942 by revising the second sentence of paragraph (a) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  404.942  Prehearing proceedings and decisions by attorney 
advisors.

    (a) * * * If after the completion of these proceedings we can make 
a decision that is wholly favorable to you and all other parties based 
on the preponderance of the evidence, an attorney advisor, instead of 
an administrative law judge, may issue the decision. * * *
* * * * *

0
8. Amend Sec.  404.948 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (a) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  404.948  Deciding a case without an oral hearing before an 
administrative law judge.

    (a) * * * If the evidence in the hearing record supports a finding 
in favor of you and all the parties on every issue, the administrative 
law judge may issue a hearing decision based on a preponderance of the 
evidence without holding an oral hearing. * * *
* * * * *

0
9. Amend Sec.  404.953 by revising the second sentence of paragraph 
(a), the first sentence of paragraph (b), and the first sentence of 
paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  404.953  The decision of an administrative law judge.

    (a) * * * The administrative law judge must base the decision on 
the preponderance of the evidence offered at the hearing or otherwise 
included in the record. * * *
    (b) * * * The administrative law judge may enter a wholly favorable 
oral decision based on the preponderance of the evidence into the 
record of the hearing proceedings. * * *
    (c) * * * Although an administrative law judge will usually make a 
decision, the administrative law judge may send the case to the Appeals 
Council with a recommended decision based on a preponderance of the 
evidence when appropriate. * * *

0
10. Amend Sec.  404.979 by adding a new third sentence to read as 
follows:


Sec.  404.979  Decision of Appeals Council.

    * * * If the Appeals Council issues its own decision, it will base 
its decision on the preponderance of the evidence. * * *

0
11. Amend Sec.  404.984 by revising the last sentence of paragraph (a), 
the second sentence of paragraph (b)(3), and the last sentence of 
paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  404.984  Appeals Council review of administrative law judge 
decision in a case remanded by a Federal court.

    (a) * * * The Appeals Council will either make a new, independent 
decision based on the preponderance of the evidence in the record that 
will be the final decision of the Commissioner after remand, or it will 
remand the case to an administrative law judge for further proceedings.
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * * If the Appeals Council assumes jurisdiction, it will make 
a new, independent decision based on the preponderance of the evidence 
in the entire record affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of 
the administrative law judge, or it will remand the case to an 
administrative law judge for further proceedings, including a new 
decision. * * *
    (c) * * * After the Appeals Council receives the briefs or other 
written statements, or the time allowed (usually 30 days) for 
submitting them has expired, the Appeals Council will either issue a 
final decision of the Commissioner based on the preponderance of the 
evidence affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the 
administrative law judge, or remand the case to an administrative law 
judge for further proceedings, including a new decision.
* * * * *

PART 408--SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN WORLD WAR II VETERANS

Subpart J--[Amended]

0
12. The authority citation for subpart J of part 408 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 702(a)(5) and 809 of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5) and 1009).


0
13. Amend Sec.  408.1001 by adding the definition for ``Preponderance 
of the evidence'' in alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  408.1001  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Preponderance of the evidence means such relevant evidence that as 
a whole shows that the existence of the fact to be proven is more 
likely than not.
* * * * *

0
14. Amend Sec.  408.1002 by adding a new third sentence to read as 
follows:


Sec.  408.1002  What is an initial determination?

    * * * We will base our initial determination on the preponderance 
of the evidence.

0
15. Amend Sec.  408.1020 by revising the second sentence to read as 
follows:


Sec.  408.1020  How do we make our reconsidered determination?

    * * * We will make our determination based on the preponderance of 
the evidence in the record. * * *

 PART 416--SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND 
DISABLED

Subpart N--[Amended]

0
16. The authority citation for subpart N of part 416 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 702(a)(5), 1631, and 1633 of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 902(a)(5), 1383, and 1383b); sec. 202, Pub. 
L. 108-203, 118 Stat. 509 (42 U.S.C. 902 note).


0
17. Amend Sec.  416.1401 by adding the definitions for ``Preponderance 
of the evidence'' and ``Substantial evidence'' in alphabetical order to 
read as follows:


Sec.  416.1401  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Preponderance of the evidence means such relevant evidence that as 
a whole shows that the existence of the fact to be proven is more 
likely than not.
* * * * *
    Substantial evidence means such relevant evidence as a reasonable 
mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
* * * * *

0
18. Amend Sec.  416.1402 by revising the second sentence and adding a 
new sentence before the existing third sentence in the introductory 
text to read as follows:


Sec.  416.1402  Administrative actions that are initial determinations.

    * * * We will base our initial determination on the preponderance 
of the evidence. We will state the important facts and give the reasons 
for our conclusions in the initial determination. * * *
* * * * *

0
19. Amend Sec.  416.1417 by revising the second sentence of paragraph 
(b) to read as follows:


Sec.  416.1417  Disability hearing--disability hearing officer's 
reconsidered determination.

* * * * *
    (b) * * * The disability hearing officer must base the reconsidered 
determination on the preponderance of the evidence offered at the 
disability

[[Page 76945]]

hearing or otherwise included in your case file.
* * * * *

0
20. Revise Sec.  416.1420 to read as follows:


Sec.  416.1420  Reconsidered determination.

    After you or another person requests a reconsideration, we will 
review the evidence we considered in making the initial determination 
and any other evidence we receive. We will make our determination based 
on the preponderance of the evidence. The person who makes the 
reconsidered determination will have had no prior involvement with the 
initial determination.r

0
21. Amend Sec.  416.1441 by revising the second sentence of paragraph 
(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  416.1441  Prehearing case review.

    (a) * * * That component will decide whether it should revise the 
determination based on the preponderance of the evidence. * * *
* * * * *

0
22. Amend Sec.  416.1442 by revising the second sentence of paragraph 
(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  416.1442  Prehearing proceedings and decisions by attorney 
advisors.

    (a) * * * If after the completion of these proceedings we can make 
a decision that is wholly favorable to you and all other parties based 
on the preponderance of the evidence, an attorney advisor, instead of 
an administrative law judge, may issue the decision. * * *
* * * * *

0
23. Amend Sec.  416.1448 by revising the first sentence of paragraph 
(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  416.1448  Deciding a case without an oral hearing before an 
administrative law judge.

    (a) * * * If the evidence in the hearing record supports a finding 
in favor of you and all the parties on every issue, the administrative 
law judge may issue a hearing decision based on a preponderance of the 
evidence without holding an oral hearing. * * *
* * * * *

0
24. Amend Sec.  416.1453 by revising the second sentence of paragraph 
(a), the first sentence of paragraph (b), and the first sentence of 
paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  416.1453  The decision of an administrative law judge.

    (a) * * * The administrative law judge must base the decision on 
the preponderance of the evidence offered at the hearing or otherwise 
included in the record. * * *
    (b) * * * The administrative law judge may enter a wholly favorable 
oral decision based on the preponderance of the evidence into the 
record of the hearing proceedings. * * *
* * * * *
    (d) * * * Although an administrative law judge will usually make a 
decision, the administrative law judge may send the case to the Appeals 
Council with a recommended decision based on a preponderance of the 
evidence when appropriate. * * *

0
25. Amend Sec.  416.1479 by adding a new third sentence to read as 
follows:


Sec.  416.1479  Decision of Appeals Council.

    * * * If the Appeals Council issues its own decision, it will base 
its decision on the preponderance of the evidence. * * *

0
26. Amend Sec.  416.1484 by revising the last sentence of paragraph 
(a), the second sentence of paragraph (b)(3), and the last sentence of 
paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  416.1484  Appeals Council review of administrative law judge 
decision in a case remanded by a Federal court.

    (a) * * * The Appeals Council will either make a new, independent 
decision based on the preponderance of the evidence in the record that 
will be the final decision of the Commissioner after remand, or it will 
remand the case to an administrative law judge for further proceedings.
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * * If the Appeals Council assumes jurisdiction, it will make 
a new, independent decision based on the preponderance of the evidence 
in the entire record affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of 
the administrative law judge, or it will remand the case to an 
administrative law judge for further proceedings, including a new 
decision. * * *
    (c) * * * After the Appeals Council receives the briefs or other 
written statements, or the time allowed (usually 30 days) for 
submitting them has expired, the Appeals Council will either issue a 
final decision of the Commissioner based on the preponderance of the 
evidence affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the 
administrative law judge, or remand the case to an administrative law 
judge for further proceedings, including a new decision.
* * * * *

PART 422--ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES

Subpart B--[Amended]

0
27. The authority citation for subpart B of part 422 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 205, 232, 702(a)(5), 1131, and 1143 of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405, 432, 902(a)(5), 1320b-1, and 
1320b-13), and sec. 7213(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 108-458.


0
28. Amend Sec.  422.130 by revising the first sentence of paragraph (c) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  422.130  Claim procedure.

* * * * *
    (c) * * * In the case of an application for benefits, the 
establishment of a period of disability, a lump-sum death payment, a 
recomputation of a primary insurance amount, or entitlement to hospital 
insurance benefits or supplementary medical insurance benefits, after 
obtaining the necessary evidence, we will determine, based on the 
preponderance of the evidence (see Sec. Sec.  404.901 and 416.1401 of 
this chapter) as to the entitlement of the individual claiming or for 
whom is claimed such benefits, and will notify the applicant of the 
determination and of his right to appeal. * * *

Subpart C--[Amended]

0
29. The authority citation for subpart C of part 422 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 205, 221, and 702(a)(5) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 405, 421, and 902(a)(5)); 30 U.S.C. 923(b).


0
30. Revise the last sentence of Sec.  422.203(c) to read as follows:


Sec.  422.203  Hearings.

* * * * *
    (c) * * * The administrative law judge, or an attorney advisor 
under Sec. Sec.  404.942 or 416.1442 of this chapter, must base the 
hearing decision on the preponderance of the evidence offered at the 
hearing or otherwise included in the record.

[FR Doc. E8-30056 Filed 12-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P