Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

As of March 27, 2017, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) considers an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (“APRN”) to be an acceptable medical source (“AMS”). That means when you apply for Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits, information from an APRN can establish that you have a medically determinable impairment, and even meet a listing. 

I represent a 37 year old claimant from Texas with mental impairments whose SSD application was approved in three months. A psychiatrist, APRN, and Social Worker all treat the claimant. What makes the relatively rapid approval significant is that the opinion regarding the claimant’s mental restrictions and limitations was provided by an ANPR. If this claimant had submitted her SSD application before March 27, 2017, then it would not have been approved. 

Notably, the rule seems to have been overlooked at some SSA District Offices. Applicants have retained us after they were denied, who advised that representatives from their District Office said that the medical evidence and opinions should come from medical doctors. Anyone seeking SSD benefits should treat APRNs just as they would treat a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy.