In Step VI of the progressive evaluation process (PEP), we review the medical evidence provided and determine how your physical impairment limits your ability to work. This determination is then used in Steps VII and VIII of the PEP to determine your ability to perform either work you have done in the past or other work available in the national economy.
(1) "Exertion level" means having strength, flexibility, and mobility to lift, carry, stand or walk as needed to fulfill job duties in the following work levels. For this section, "occasionally" means less than one third of the time and "frequently" means one third of the time or more.
The following table is used to determine your exertion level. Included in this table is a strength factor, which represents your ability to perform physical activities, as defined in Appendix C of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), Revised Edition, published by the U.S. Department of Labor as posted on the Occupational Information Network (O.*NET).
If you are able to: | Then we assign this exertion level |
(a) | Lift ten pounds maximum and frequently lift or carry lightweight articles. Walking or standing only for brief periods. | Sedentary |
(b) | Lift twenty pounds maximum and frequently lift or carry objects weighing up to ten pounds. Walk six out of eight hours per day or stand during a significant portion of the workday. Sitting and using pushing or pulling arm or leg movements most of the day. | Light |
(c) | Lift fifty pounds maximum and frequently lift or carry up to twenty-five pounds. | Medium |
(d) | Lift one hundred pounds maximum and frequently lift or carry up to fifty pounds. | Heavy |
(2) "Exertional limitation" means a restriction in mobility, agility or flexibility in the following twelve activities: Balancing, bending, climbing, crawling, crouching, handling, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, sitting, and stooping. We consider any exertional limitations you have when determining your ability to work.
(3) "Functional physical capacity" means the degree of strength, agility, flexibility, and mobility you can apply to work-related activities. We consider the effect of the physical impairment on the ability to perform work-related activities when the severity of the physical impairment is moderate, marked, or severe. All limitations must be substantiated by the medical evidence and directly related to the diagnosed impairment(s).
(4) "Nonexertional physical limitation" means a restriction on work activities that does not affect strength, mobility, agility, or flexibility. Examples are:
(a) Environmental restrictions which may include, among other things, your inability to work in an area where you would be exposed to chemicals; and
(b) Workplace restrictions, such as impaired hearing or speech, which would limit the types of work environments you could work in.