Nov 25, 2013

What?

     From a notice to appear in the Federal Register tomorrow:
Under our current, long-standing policy, we do not purchase genetic testing to evaluate disability. However, we do consider all evidence in the record, including genetic testing and other genetic medical evidence, when we make a determination or decision of whether you are disabled. We are requesting information regarding how we should consider genetic information in the disability decision process and what issues we should consider. ... 
To submit your ideas and comments, please go to http://www.ssa- disabilityideas.ideascale.com and go to the Campaign entitled "Genetic Information".
     The link given in the notice isn't working.
     Obviously, if there is genetic testing that shows that a disability claimant has a genetic disorder, that evidence should be considered. Genetic testing may be able to show that a person has a propensity to develop some disorder in the future but that's in the future and isn't too relevant to a disability claim today. Is there something else they're getting at here?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

In my experience, most all of the genetic testing used in disability cases involves lab reports to establish Down syndrome. This is the easiest way to meet listing 110.06. Bottom line: many parents do not have this testing available, especially if the claim is filed for an adult. I think the clarification is that the agency will not purchase this testing because an obviously disabled individual will be found disabled with other evidence.