Wash. Admin. Code § 388-447-0005

Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024

Section 388-447-0005 - What evidence do we consider to determine incapacity?

(1) To determine whether a medically determinable impairment exists, we consider medical evidence from "acceptable medical sources." "Acceptable medical sources" include the following:

(a) For a physical impairment, a health professional licensed in Washington state or where the examination was performed:

(i) Medical doctor (MD);

(ii) Doctor of osteopathy (DO);

(iii) Doctor of optometry (OD) for visual disorders;

(iv) Doctor of podiatry (DP) for foot and ankle disorders;

(v) Physician assistant (PA) for impairments within their licensed scope of practice;

(vi) Advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) for impairments within their licensed scope of practice;

(vii) Audiologist for impairments of hearing loss, auditory processing disorders, and balance disorders within their licensed scope of practice;

(viii) Qualified speech-language pathologist, for purposes of establishing speech or language impairments;

(ix) Doctor of dental surgery (DDS) or doctor of medical dentistry (DMD) for tooth abscesses or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders; and

(x) Chief of staff of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, or their designee, as authorized in federal law.

(b) For a mental impairment, a health professional licensed in Washington state or where the examination was performed:

(i) Psychiatrist;

(ii) Psychologist;

(iii) Advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) for impairments within their licensed scope of practice;

(iv) Physician assistant (PA) for impairments within their licensed scope of practice;

(v) School psychologist or other licensed or certified individual who performs the same function as a school psychologist in a school setting for impairments of intellectual disability, learning disability, or borderline intellectual functioning;

(vi) Clinical social worker;

(vii) Mental health professional (MHP); and

(viii) Physician treating you for a mental impairment.

(2) "Supplemental medical evidence" means information from a licensed health professional who can provide supporting documentation for impairments established by an "acceptable medical source" listed in subsection (1) of this section. "Supplemental medical evidence" sources include, but are not limited to:

(a) Naturopath;

(b) Chiropractor;

(c) Physical therapist; and

(d) Chemical dependency professional (CDP) when requesting information on the effects of substance use disorders.

(3) "Other evidence" means information from sources not listed in subsections (1) and (2) of this section who can provide supporting documentation of functioning for impairments established by an "acceptable medical source" in subsection (1) of this section. Sources of "other evidence" may include public and private agencies, schools, family members, friends, caregivers, and employers.

Wash. Admin. Code § 388-447-0005

Adopted by WSR 13-24-044, filed 11/26/13, effective 1/1/2014

Amended by WSR 18-05-075, Filed 2/20/2018, effective 3/23/2018