If you have a mental impairment, we evaluate your cognitive and social functioning in a work setting. "Functioning" means your ability to perform typical tasks that would be required in a routine job setting and your ability to interact effectively while working.

(1) We evaluate cognitive and social functioning by assessing your ability to:

(a) Understand, remember, and persist in tasks by following very short and simple instructions.

(b) Understand, remember, and persist in tasks by following detailed instructions.

(c) Perform activities within a schedule, maintain regular attendance, and be punctual within customary tolerances without special supervision.

(d) Learn new tasks.

(e) Perform routine tasks without special supervision.

(f) Adapt to changes in a routine work setting.

(g) Make simple work-related decisions.

(h) Be aware of normal hazards and take appropriate precautions.

(i) Ask simple questions or request assistance.

(j) Communicate and perform effectively in a work setting.

(k) Complete a normal workday and workweek without interruptions from psychologically based symptoms.

(l) Set realistic goals and plan independently.

(m) Maintain appropriate behavior in a work setting.

(2) We approve incapacity when we have objective medical evidence that demonstrates you are:

(a) At least moderately impaired in your ability to understand, remember, and persist in tasks following simple instructions, and at least moderately limited in your ability to:

(i) Learn new tasks;

(ii) Be aware of normal hazards and take appropriate precautions; and

(iii) Perform routine tasks without undue supervision; or

(b) At least moderately impaired in your ability to understand, remember, and persist in tasks following complex instructions; and at least markedly limited in your ability to:

(i) Learn new tasks;

(ii) Be aware of normal hazards and take appropriate precautions; and

(iii) Perform routine tasks without undue supervision.

(3) We approve incapacity when you are moderately impaired in your ability to:

(a) Communicate and perform effectively in a work setting; and

(b) Markedly impaired in your ability to maintain appropriate behavior in a work setting.