20 CFR 404.1508 : Employees' Benefits (§ 1.1 To Parts 1011-1099) — (Part 400 To Part 499) — Social Security Administration (Part 400 To Part 499) — Federal Old-Age, Survivors And Disability Insurance (1950- ) (§ 404.1 To § 404.2127) — Determining Disability And Blindness (§ 404.1501 To Appendix 2 To Subpart P Of Part 404) — Definition Of Disability (§ 404.1505 To § 404.1511) — What is needed to show an impairment.

If you are not doing substantial gainful activity, we always look first at your physical or mental impairment(s) to determine whether you are disabled or blind. Your impairment must result from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. A physical or mental impairment must be established by medical evidence consisting of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings, not only by your statement of symptoms (see § 404.1527). (See § 404.1528 for further information about what we mean by symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings.)