EDPNA EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
WITH ACCURATE SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ Who makes disability determinations? 404.1503 416.903 Answer:
Reserved commissioners of SSA
- A treating doctor helps us to understand the impairments & limitations.
- A doctor stating you are "disabled" or "cannot work" is not always helpful
- Initial & Recon Decisions - made by state vocational/disability
determination services. They are authorized by the commissioners of SSA.
Hearing - ALJ
▶ Claimant is in charge of proving to SSA he/she is blind/disabled.
- SSA responsibility is development (10/20 days for records to come in) 1
FU request - then they have 10 days.
- SSA will request CEs if needed Answer: Who is responsible for
evidence? 404.1512 406.1512
▶ Categories of Evidence 404.1502 404.1513 416.902 416.913 Answer: 1.
Objective Medical Evidence
2. Acceptable Medical Source
3. Other sources
▶ Objective Medical Evidence Answer: Medical signs that can be
observed through acceptable clinical diagnostics techniques, lab findings or
both.
example: evidence of reduced joint motion, muscle spasm, sensory deficit
or motor disruption.
- Diagnostic techniques include chemical tests (such as blood tests),
electrophysiological studies (such as electrocardiograms and
electroencephalograms), medical imaging (such as X-rays), and
psychological tests.
▶ Acceptable Medical Evidence Answer: We need objective medical
evidence from an AMS to establish the existence of a medically
, determinable impairment (MDI) at step 2 of the sequential evaluation
process
Examples
1. Physicians (MD or DO)
2. Licensed/Certified Psychologists (also School Psych)
3. Licensed Optometrist/Podiatrist/Audiologist/Speech-Language
Pathologist
***Claims filed after 3/27/2017 accept sources from:
APRN, APN, Certified Nurse Midwife, CNS, CRNA, NP - although these
might weigh less
▶ Opinion Evidence Answer: Evidence of what a physician or person
thinks, believes, or infers in regard to a fact in dispute, as distinguished
from personal knowledge of the facts.
- reflects the nature or severity of impairment & establishment of RFC.
▶ Sequential Evaluation Process 404.1520 Answer: 1. At the first step, we
consider your work activity, if any. If you are doing substantial gainful
activity, we will find that you are not disabled.
2. We consider the medical severity of your impairment(s). If you do not
have a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment that
meets the duration requirement of 12 mo. , or a combination of impairments
that is severe and meets the duration requirement, we will find that you are
not disabled.
3. We also consider the medical severity of your impairment(s). If you have
an impairment(s) that meets or equals one of our listings in appendix 1 of
this subpart and meets the duration requirement, we will find that you are
disabled.
4. We consider our assessment of RFC & your past relevant work. If you
can still do your past relevant work, we will find that you are not disabled.
(cannot be found disabled on step 4)
5. We consider our assessment of your RFC and your age, education, and
work experience to see if you can make an adjustment to other work. If you
can make an adjustment to other work, we will find that you are not
disabled.
WITH ACCURATE SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ Who makes disability determinations? 404.1503 416.903 Answer:
Reserved commissioners of SSA
- A treating doctor helps us to understand the impairments & limitations.
- A doctor stating you are "disabled" or "cannot work" is not always helpful
- Initial & Recon Decisions - made by state vocational/disability
determination services. They are authorized by the commissioners of SSA.
Hearing - ALJ
▶ Claimant is in charge of proving to SSA he/she is blind/disabled.
- SSA responsibility is development (10/20 days for records to come in) 1
FU request - then they have 10 days.
- SSA will request CEs if needed Answer: Who is responsible for
evidence? 404.1512 406.1512
▶ Categories of Evidence 404.1502 404.1513 416.902 416.913 Answer: 1.
Objective Medical Evidence
2. Acceptable Medical Source
3. Other sources
▶ Objective Medical Evidence Answer: Medical signs that can be
observed through acceptable clinical diagnostics techniques, lab findings or
both.
example: evidence of reduced joint motion, muscle spasm, sensory deficit
or motor disruption.
- Diagnostic techniques include chemical tests (such as blood tests),
electrophysiological studies (such as electrocardiograms and
electroencephalograms), medical imaging (such as X-rays), and
psychological tests.
▶ Acceptable Medical Evidence Answer: We need objective medical
evidence from an AMS to establish the existence of a medically
, determinable impairment (MDI) at step 2 of the sequential evaluation
process
Examples
1. Physicians (MD or DO)
2. Licensed/Certified Psychologists (also School Psych)
3. Licensed Optometrist/Podiatrist/Audiologist/Speech-Language
Pathologist
***Claims filed after 3/27/2017 accept sources from:
APRN, APN, Certified Nurse Midwife, CNS, CRNA, NP - although these
might weigh less
▶ Opinion Evidence Answer: Evidence of what a physician or person
thinks, believes, or infers in regard to a fact in dispute, as distinguished
from personal knowledge of the facts.
- reflects the nature or severity of impairment & establishment of RFC.
▶ Sequential Evaluation Process 404.1520 Answer: 1. At the first step, we
consider your work activity, if any. If you are doing substantial gainful
activity, we will find that you are not disabled.
2. We consider the medical severity of your impairment(s). If you do not
have a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment that
meets the duration requirement of 12 mo. , or a combination of impairments
that is severe and meets the duration requirement, we will find that you are
not disabled.
3. We also consider the medical severity of your impairment(s). If you have
an impairment(s) that meets or equals one of our listings in appendix 1 of
this subpart and meets the duration requirement, we will find that you are
disabled.
4. We consider our assessment of RFC & your past relevant work. If you
can still do your past relevant work, we will find that you are not disabled.
(cannot be found disabled on step 4)
5. We consider our assessment of your RFC and your age, education, and
work experience to see if you can make an adjustment to other work. If you
can make an adjustment to other work, we will find that you are not
disabled.
