410.471—Conclusion by physician regarding miner's disability or death.
The function of deciding whether or not an individual is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis, or was totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis at the time of his death, or that his death was due to pneumoconiosis, is the responsibility of the Administration. A statement by a physician that an individual is, or is not, disabled, permanently disabled, totally disabled, totally and permanently disabled, unable to work, or a statement of similar import, being a conclusion upon the ultimate issue to be decided by the Administration, shall not be determinative of the question of whether or not an individual is under a disability. However, all statements and other evidence (including statements of the miner's physician) shall be considered in adjudicating a claim. In considering statements of the miner's physician, appropriate account shall be taken of the length of time he treated the miner.