---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 C.F.R. § 220.27"
title: "20"
number: "220.27"
heading: "What is needed to show an impairment."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/220.27"
---

# §220.27. What is needed to show an impairment.


A physical or mental 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 the claimant's statement of symptoms. (See [§ 220.113](/cfr/20/220.113.md) for further information about what is meant by symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings.) (See also [§ 220.112](/cfr/20/220.112.md) for the effect of a medical opinion about whether or not a claimant is disabled.)


## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 45 U.S.C. 231a; 45 U.S.C. 231f.

### Source

Source: 56 FR 12980, Mar. 28, 1991, unless otherwise noted.