If you are closely approaching 50 years old and have physical impairments, the Administrative Law Judge should analyze your ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, push, handle or manipulate objects, reach, push, pull, twist, stoop, crouch, climb stairs, and climb ladders. Depending on the restrictions the Administrative Law Judge has found in his or her residual functional capacity assessment, you will be classified as having an ability to perform sedentary, light, medium, heavy, or very heavy work. Posted below is a quick reference table explaining social security disability exertional level definitions. I recommend speaking with an attorney to determine how this classification could affect the outcome of your case.
|
Limits of Weights Lifted/Carried or Force Exerted by Strength Level |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rating |
Occasionally |
Frequently |
Constantly |
|
Sedentary |
* to 10 |
* |
N/A |
|
Light |
* to 20 |
* to 10 |
* |
|
Medium |
20 to 50 |
10 to 25 |
* to 10 |
|
Heavy |
50 to 100 |
25 to 50 |
10 to 20 |
|
Very Heavy |
100+ |
50+ |
20+ |
|
SCO Code |
Frequency |
Definition |
|---|---|---|
|
N |
Not Present |
Activity or condition does not exist. |
|
O |
Occasionally |
Activity or condition exists up to one-third of the time. |
|
F |
Frequently |
Activity or condition exists from one-third to two-thirds of the time. |
|
C |
Constantly |
Activity or condition exists two-thirds or more of the time. |
