The challenge is to translate your medical impairment(s) into job-related restrictions.
You may have enough medical evidence to prove that you have a severe condition. But this is not enough to get a Social Security disability benefit.
Disability benefits are not paid on medical evidence alone. Benefits are based on VOCATIONAL EVIDENCE.
You must prove that your severe medical impairments restrict your ability to function in the workplace.
Exertional functions include: sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. You need to prove that your medical condition restricts your ability to regularly perform these functions.
Other limitations include restrictions in bending, crouching, crawling, kneeling, reaching, using the hands, or using the feet (such as foot controls).
Mental impairments may come with such functional restrictions as: memory loss, inability to follow simple instructions or complete simple tasks, inability to finish tasks on time--or decreased ability to focus or stay on task. Or, you may have decreased ability to respond appropriately to supervisors, co-works or the general public.
A claimant may have back pain; however, many individuals with back pain can perform some type of work. A person might prove that she has severe migraines, yet many people who have severe migraines can continue work with proper treatment.
3 factors that always must be considered in placing a vocational (work-related) restriction on impairments are:
- SEVERITY - How bad are the symptoms of your impairment?
- FREQUENCY - How often do the severe symptoms occur?
- DURATION - How long do the severe symptoms last?
Let me use the example of degenerative disk disease of the spine. You have an MRI that shows degeneration at several levels. This causes pain and difficulty with bending and standing. Social Security must know the following:
How long are you able to sit?
How long are you able to stand and walk?
What is your lifting limit (on the job)?
How often are you able to bend? (Constantly, frequently, occasionally or never?
Since many individuals with back pain are still able to perform some type of job, you must prove that your condition severely restricts your ability to perform all of your past jobs AND any other job which exists in today's national economy.
The challenge is to translate your medical impairment(s) into job-related restrictions.
