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Table of Contents

Chapter One               Introduction

Chapter Two               Standards of Review and Federal Court Remedies

Chapter Three            Topical and Sequential Evaluation Outlines

Chapter Four              SSR 96-1p: Application by the Social Security Administration (SSA) of Federal Circuit Court and District Court Decisions

Chapter Five               SSR 96-2p: Giving Controlling Weight to Treating Source Medical Opinions

Chapter Six                 SSR 96-3p: Considering Allegations of Pain and Other Symptoms in Determining Whether a Medically Determinable Impairment Is Severe

Chapter Seven            SSR 96-4p: Symptoms, Medically Determinable Physical and Mental Impairments, and Exertional and Nonexertional Limitations

Chapter Eight             SSR 96-5p: Medical Source Opinions on Issues Reserved to the Commissioner

Chapter Nine              SSR 96-6p: Consideration of Administrative Findings of Fact by State Agency Medical and Psychological Consultants and Other Program Physicians and Psychologists at the Administrative Law Judge and Appeals Council Levels of Administrative Review; Medical Equivalence

Chapter Ten               SSR 96-7p: Evaluation of Symptoms in Disability Claims: Assessing the Credibility of an Individual’s Statements

Chapter Eleven          SSR 96-8p: Assessing Residual Functional Capacity in Initial Claims

Chapter Twelve          SSR 96-9p: Determining Capability to Do Other Work—Implications of a Residual Functional Capacity for Less Than a Full Range of Sedentary Work

Chapter Thirteen        The Role of Reliable Vocational Information at the Social Security Administration

Chapter Fourteen       The Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Structure, History, Reliability, and Validity

Chapter Fifteen          Other Sources of Vocational Data

Chapter Sixteen          Vocational Information and Analysis at Step Four of the Sequential Evaluation Process

Chapter Seventeen     Vocational Evidence at Step Five of the Sequential Evaluation Process

Chapter Eighteen       Transferability of Skills Analysis

Chapter Nineteen       Attacking Vocational Expert Testimony

Chapter Twenty          Vocational Expert Testimony on the Number of Jobs Available at Step Five

Chapter One  Introduction

§100       Format and Purpose of This Handbook

§100.1         Search Tip

§101       History of Process Unification

§101.1         Something That Worked

§102       The Rulings Set Forth Broad Areas of Policy

§103       Social Security Rulings Are Binding

§103.1         Regulations Enforce the Rulings

§103.2         Case Law, The Supreme Court Enforces the Rulings

§104       Process Unification Rulings Commandments

§104.1         Practice Tip: How to Cite a Hyperlink

§104.2         Table of Process Unification Ruling Hyperlinks

§104.3         Commandments in SSR 96-2p

§104.4         Commandments in SSR 96-3p

§104.5         Commandments in SSR 96-4p

§104.6         Commandments in SSR 96-5p

§104.7         Commandments in SSR 96-6p

§104.8         Commandments in SSR 96-7p

§104.9         Commandments in SSR 96-8p

§104.10       Commandments in SSR 96-9p

§105       Duty to Research

Chapter Two  Standards of Review and Federal Court Remedies

§200       Introduction to the Weight of Evidence and Judicial Review

§201       Standard of Review

§201.1         Standard of Review at an ALJ Hearing

§201.1.1           Practice Tip

§201.2         Standard of Review at the Appeals Council

§201.3         Practice Tip

§201.4         Standard of Review in Federal Court

§201.5         Practice Tip

§202       The Degree of Proof Required

§202.1         Preponderance of the Evidence

§202.2         Abuse of Discretion

§202.3         “Substantial Evidence”

§202.3.1          “Relevant Evidence”

§202.4         Federal Courts Are Not Rubber Stamps

§202.5         Guesses, Speculations, Common Sense and Ruminations Are Not Substantial Evidence

§203       “Legal Error”

§203.1         The “Harmless Error” Rule

§203.2         Practice Tip

§204       Sequential Evaluation and Burden of Proof

§204.1         Burden of Proof in Cessation Cases

§205       Which Law Controls the Case?

§205.1         When Circuit Precedent Construes the Underlying Social Security Act

§205.2         When Circuit Precedent Is Consistent with SSA’s Regulations and Rulings

§205.3         When Circuit Precedent Conflicts with the Regulations or Rulings

§206       Post Hoc Rationalizations

§206.1         Practice Tip

§207       Nonadversarial Social Security Administrative Proceedings and the Commissioner’s Duty Fully and Fairly to Develop the Record

§207.1         Duty to Develop the Record for Unrepresented Claimants

§208       Concluding Remarks about Review

§209       Remedies

§209.1         Remedies from the Appeals Council

§209.2         Remedies from the Federal Courts

§209.3         The Varney II “Credit as True” Remedy

§209.4         Lay Evidence in the Varney II “Credit as True” Analysis

§209.5         The Non-Varney Remedy Analysis

§210       The Remedy of Equal Access to Justice Act—EAJA Fees and Costs

§210.1         The EAJA Standard

§210.2         “Substantial Justification” under the EAJA

§210.3         When Is an Application Timely Filed under the EAJA?

§210.3.1          Amending an EAJA Application

§210.4         When Does the Absence of a Judgment Become a Judgment?

§210.5         Who Is a Prevailing Party under the EAJA?

§210.5.1           Practice Tip

§210.6         What Circumstances Make an Award “Unjust” under the EAJA?

§210.7         “Bad Faith” EAJA Fees

§210.8         EAJA Fees and Special Factors

§210.9       EAJA Fees—Representative Registration for Debt Collection and Taxes

Chapter Three  Topical and Sequential Evaluation Outlines

§300       Introduction

§301       Policy and Procedural Considerations

§301.1         Americans with Disabilities Act

§301.2         Applications

§301.3         Attorney Fees

§301.4         Cessations/Terminations

§301.5         Dictionary of Occupational Titles

§301.6         Evidence

§301.7         Hearings

§301.8         Missed Deadlines and Reopenings

§301.9         Nonacquiescence

§301.10       Res Judicata     

§301.11       Subpoenas

§302       Disability and the Sequential Evaluation

§302.1         New CFR Sections

§302.2         Explanations of the Changes

§302.3         Special Profiles

§302.4         Different Sequential Evaluations for Children’s Cases

§302.5         General

§302.6         Onset and Duration

§302.7         Step One: Is the Claimant Performing Substantial Gainful Activity?

§302.8         Step Two: Is the Claimant’s Impairment “Severe”?

§302.9         Step Three: Does the Claimant’s Impairment(s) Meet or Equal an Impairment in the Listing of Impairments?—Step Three General Considerations

§302.10       Step Three: Does the Claimant’s Impairment(s) Meet or Equal an Impairment in the Listing of Impairments?—Medical Equivalence

§302.11       Step Three: Does the Claimant’s Impairment(s) Meet or Equal an Impairment in the Listing of Impairments?—Specific Impairments

§302.12       Step Four: Is the Claimant Capable of Performing Past Relevant Work?

§302.13       Determining Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

§302.14       Past Relevant Work

§302.15       Elements of Past Relevant Work

§302.16       Step Five: Does the Claimant’s Impairment Prevent the Performance of Any Other Substantial Gainful Activity?

§302.17       Step Five: Before Using the Medical-Vocational Guidelines

§302.18       Step Five: General Considerations

§302.19       Step Five: Transferability of Work Skills

§302.20       Using the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (Grids)

Chapter Four  SSR 96-1p: Application by the Social Security Administration (SSA) of Federal Circuit Court and District Court Decisions

§400       Introduction

§401       Purpose of SSR 96-1p

§402       District Court Decisions

§403       Law of the Case

§404       Nonacquiescence in Circuit Court

§404.1         Who Says What the Law Is?—Non Issue if No Conflict

§404.2         Practice Tip

§405       Equal Access to Justice Act Fees (EAJA) and the Petard

§406       Quick-List of Acquiescence Rulings

Chapter Five  SSR 96-2p: Giving Controlling Weight to Treating Source Medical Opinions

§500       Introduction

§500.1         How the Ruling Works

§501       When the Weight Given to a Treating Source’s Medical Opinions Must Be Explained

§502       The “Controlling Weight” Rule of SSR 96-2p

§502.1         Medically Acceptable

§502.2         Not Inconsistent

§502.3         Practice Tip: “Not Inconsistent” Is Not the Same as “Consistent”

§502.4         Well-Supported

§503       Treating Sources and “Medical Opinions”

§503.1         Treating Sources

§503.2         Medical Opinions

§503.3         Medical Opinions Regarding Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

§503.4         “Issues Reserved to the Commissioner” and Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

§503.5         Multiple Limitations in a Treating Source Statement

§504       SSR 96-2p and Circuit Precedent

§505       Remedies for Failure to Follow SSR 96-2p

§505.1         Accepting the Source’s Opinion as True

§505.2         Remanding for Evaluation of the Source’s Opinion

§505.3         Substantial Evidence

§505.4         Substantial Evidence Versus Procedural Due Process

§505.5         Substantial Evidence, Procedural Due Process and Harmless Error

§506       Practical Applications of SSR 96-2p

§507       All That Differs Is Not Necessarily a Conflict

§508       Nonmedical Evidence

§509       Medical Experts

§510       Treating Sources

§511       Controlling Weight Versus Greatest Weight

§512       The Ever-Changing Chameleon: SSR 96-2p and Additional Development of the Record

§512.1         Controlling the Record

§512.2         Recontacting Medical Sources

§512.3         Controlling Consultative Examinations

§512.4         The Treating Source as Consultative Examiner

§513       Conflicts and Ambiguities Must Be Resolved by the Book

§514       The Agency’s Duty to Develop the Record

§515       Conclusion

Chapter Six  SSR 96-3p: Considering Allegations of Pain and Other Symptoms in Determining Whether a Medically Determinable Impairment Is Severe

§600       Introduction

§600.1         Quick Tip

§601       Non-Severe Impairments and Basic Work Activities

§602       Combined Impairments

§603       Three-Step Process at Step Two of the Sequential Evaluation Process

§604       Reasonable Doubts Go to the Claimant

§605       Skipping from Step-Two to Step-Four Is Sometimes Permitted

§606       Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Similar Impairments

§606.1         Fibromyalgia (FM) Defined

§606.2         Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Defined

§606.3         Excerpt from an ALJ’s Improper Decision Denying FM and CFS Claims

§606.4         Signs and Symptoms of FM and CFS Demonstrate “Medically Determinable” Impairments

§606.5         Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome as “Medically Determinable” Impairments

§606.6         Practice Tip

Chapter Seven  SSR 96-4p: Symptoms, Medically Determinable Physical and Mental Impairments, and Exertional and Nonexertional Limitations

§700       Introduction

§701       Few Cases Address SSR 96-4p

Chapter Eight  SSR 96-5p: Medical Source Opinions on Issues Reserved to the Commissioner

§800       Introduction

§800.1         Purposes of SSR 96-5p

§801       Who Are “Acceptable Medical Sources”?

§802       Who Are “Other Sources”?

§803       Importance to Representatives—Knowing the ALJ’s Duties

§803.1         Duty to Carefully Consider Medical Source Opinions About Any Issue and Duty to Recontact Sources

§803.2         Duty to Weigh Medical Source Statements and Provide Appropriate Explanations

§803.3         Duty to Never Ignore a Medical Opinion

§803.4         Duty to Apply Specific Factors

§803.5       Duty to Apply Specific Factors—Ruling 06-03p

§803.6       Duty to Apply Specific Factors—Ruling 06-03p and Decisions on Disability by Other Governmental and Nongovernmental Agencies

§804       Weighing Medical Source Statements

§805       Treating Source Statements May Include Multiple Discrete Options

§806       There Is no Presumption Medical Sources Use SSA Definitions in Medical Opinions

§806.1         Application of 96-5p in Resolving Semantic Differences Between Medical Source Statements and SSA Lexicon

§807       State Agency Medical and Psychological Consultants as Highly Qualified Experts

§807.1         State Agency Medical and Psychological Consultants Usurping Decision Power from ALJs Regarding Medical Equivalence

§807.2         Providing Medical Opinions Regarding Medical Equivalence

§807.3         Remedy—Improper Rejection of Opinions on the Issue of Disability

§808       The History of RFC Assessments

Chapter Nine  SSR 96-6p: Consideration of Administrative Findings of Fact by State Agency Medical and Psychological Consultants and Other Program Physicians and Psychologists at the Administrative Law Judge and Appeals Council Levels of Administrative Review; Medical Equivalence

§900       Introduction

§900.1         Opinions by Non-Treating Sources

§900.1.1           Practice Tip: State Agency Reports as Noncompetent Bases for Evaluation

§900.2         Where Are These Non-Treating Medical Opinions?

§901       The Role of State Agency Program Physicians and Psychologists in “Equivalence” Determinations

§901.1         Mandated Standards for Obtaining Medical Expert Opinion

§901.2         Case on Point: Consulting Agency Doctors for Medical Equivalence

§901.3         Once Obtained, Medical Expert Opinions Are Not Binding

§901.4         Practice Tip

§902       Using the Medical Expert Called by the Agency to Establish Equivalence

§902.1         Establishing Medical Equivalence

§902.2         Symptoms, Signs and Laboratory Findings

§903       The Tough Standard for Weighing Medical Opinions of Non-Treating Agency Program Physicians and Psychologists

§903.1         These Standards May Not Be Inferred from the Decision

§903.2         The ALJ May Not Ignore State Agency Opinions

§903.3         Practice Tip

§904       Using a Treating Source Opinion to Prove Equivalence

§905       Practice Tip: Use SSR 96-6p to Show the ALJ Improperly Allocated Weight

§906       Nonexamining Source Opinions May Be Given Greater Weight Than Treating Source Opinions

§907       Requesting Subpoenas of State Agency Physicians and Psychologists

§907.1         Why Not to Subpoena State Agency Doctors

§907.2         Practice Tip

§907.3         Elements of a Request for Subpoena

§908       Conclusion

Chapter Ten  SSR 96-7p: Evaluation of Symptoms in Disability Claims: Assessing the Credibility of an Individual’s Statements

§1000    Purpose of SSR 96-7p

§1000.1       The Convoluted History of SSR 96-7p

§1000.2       SSR 96-7p Compared to the Regulations

§1000.3       Practice Tip

§1001    What Is a Credibility Determination?

§1002    What Is Not a Credibility Determination?

§1002.1       Neither the Commissioner’s Attorneys Nor the Court May Create or Infer a Credibility Determination for the Agency

§1002.1.1        Practice Tip

§1002.2       Post Hoc Rationalizations Are Not Credibility Determinations

§1002.3       Case on Point: Post Hoc Documents

§1003    SSR 96-7p Applies to Adult and Children’s Cases

§1004    Application of Credibility at Steps Two and Beyond in the Sequential Evaluation Process

§1004.1       Credibility in Functional Equivalence at Step Three

§1005    Symptoms and the Problem of Pain

§1005.1       Science Does Not Answer the Question of Pain—There Is No Pain-O-Meter

§1006    Claimants Do Not Have to Prove the Degree of Pain Alleged with Science, if...

§1007    The Adjudicator Must Evaluate Credibility and Make a Credibility Finding

§1007.1       The Credibility Evaluation and Finding Come After Record Development

§1007.2       Developing the Record Regarding a Possible Mental Impairment

§1007.2.1         Practice Tip: Motivating the Commissioner to Order a Mental Consultative Examination

§1007.3       When Additional Information Is Needed to Assess Credibility, the Burden Is on the Adjudicator to Obtain it

§1007.4       The Seven Enumerated Credibility Factors

§1007.5       Considering the Claimant’s Lifestyle in Context

§1007.6       Eliciting Critical Facts

§1007.6.1         Practice Tip: State Agency Forms

§1007.7       Using the VE to Put the Claimant’s Activities in Perspective

§1007.8       Possible VE Cross-Examination Questions

§1007.9       Practice Tip

§1008    The Adjudicator Must Consider the Entire Case Record

§1009    What Is an Insufficient Credibility Determination?

§1009.1       Practice Tip: Defending Against “Sit and Squirm” Jurisprudence

§1010    Degrees of Credibility

§1011    Credibility or Lack Thereof Is Not Determinative of the Issue of Disability

§1012    Adjudication Methodology—Two Step Process for Evaluating Symptoms

§1013    Additional Guidelines

§1013.1       Consistency

§1013.2       Medical Evidence

§1013.3       Medical Treatment History—or Lack Thereof

§1013.4       Practice Tip: Too Many Doctors?

§1013.5       Reasons for and Effects of Treatment

§1014    Credibility and Alleged Failure to Follow Treatment

§1014.1       Practice Tip

§1015    Consideration of Findings by State Agency and Other Program Physicians and Psychologists at the Administrative Law Judge and Appeals Council Levels of Administrative Review

§1016    Remedies for Failure to Apply Correct Legal Standards in Making Credibility Determinations

§1016.1       The Varney and Non-Varney Remedies

§1016.2       EAJA Fees

§1017    Conclusion

Chapter Eleven  SSR 96-8p: Assessing Residual Functional Capacity in Initial Claims

§1100    Introduction

§1101    SSR 96-8p—Six Major Points

§1102    Point One—RFC “Ordinarily” Defined in Terms of a 40-Hour Workweek

§1102.1       History of RFC and Vagueness

§1102.2       RFC—Clarification of Full-Time Work by 96-8p

§1102.2.1         Practice Tip

§1102.3       RFC—“Regular and Continuing Basis” and Circuit Case Law

§1102.4       RFC—Vocational Experts, Labor Market Surveys and Part-Time or Temporary Jobs

§1102.5       The Adjudicator’s Duty to Develop the Record Before Assessing RFC

§1102.6       The Adjudicator’s Duty to Consider Combined Impairments in Assessing RFC

§1102.6.1         Case on Point

§1102.7       The RFC Assessment Must Be Based on the Entire Record

§1102.8       Duty to Consider Findings of the Psychiatric Review Technique as an Element in the Finding of Residual Functional Capacity

§1103    Point Two—RFC Excludes Consideration of Age and Body Habitus

§1103.1       Obesity

§1104    Point Three—The Adjudicator’s Duty to Develop the Record, as Triggered by Specific Allegations and Evidence

§1104.1       Case on Point: Developing the Record

§1104.2       Using SSR 96-8p with 96-7p

§1105    Point Four—The RFC Assessment Must First Access Work-Related Abilities on a Function-by-Function Basis

§1105.1       Case on Point

§1105.2       SCO Analysis

§1105.3       Mental Abilities Needed for Any Job

§1105.4       The Definition of “Substantial Loss” Is Intentionally Vague

§1105.5       Mental Abilities Needed to Perform Semi-Skilled and Skilled Work

§1105.6       Stress and Demands of Work

§1105.6.1         Case on Point

§1105.7       Using the Function-by-Function Assessment

§1106    Point Five—The Least a Person Can Do Is Not a Proper RFC

§1107    Point Six—The Nature of the Functional Limitations Caused by Medical Impairments and Related Symptoms Determines Their Classifications as Exertional or Nonexertional

§1108    Other Points—Narrative Discussion

§1108.1       “Material Inconsistencies”

Chapter Twelve  SSR 96-9p: Determining Capability to Do Other Work—Implications of a Residual Functional Capacity for Less Than a Full Range of Sedentary Work

§1200    Introduction

§1200.1       Purpose

§1200.2       Sedentary Work and the Grids

§1200.3       Grids as a Framework for Decisionmaking

§1200.3.1         Exertional and Nonexertional Limitations under the Grids

§1200.3.2         Exertional Limitations for Less-Than-Sedentary

§1200.3.3         The Unskilled Sedentary Occupational Base

§1200.3.4         Erosion of the Unskilled Sedentary Occupational Base

§1200.3.5         Cases on Point

§1201    “Non-Disability” Rules

§1201.1       “Non-Disability” Rules (Rebuttable)

§1201.2       “Disability” Rules (Irrebuttable)

§1202    Mental Demands of Work and “Substantial Loss”

§1203    Eight Examples of the Type and Extent of Exertional and Nonexertional Restrictions Which Will Result in a Significant Erosion

§1204    Restrictions Which May Result in Significant Erosion

§1205    Examples That Have Been Removed by the Commissioner

§1206    ALJs as VEs?

§1206.1       Case on Point

§1207    Practical Application of the Policies Underlying SSR 96-9p

§1208    Use of the SSR 96-6p Policies with Medical Sources

§1208.1       Case on Point: Inability to Stoop Does Not Equal Disability Per Se

§1209    Use of the SSR 96-9p Policies in Eliciting the Claimant’s Testimony

§1209.1       Nonexertional Impairments—Mental

§1209.2       Nonexertional Impairments—Visual

§1209.3       Exertional Impairments

§1210    Use of the SSR 96-9p Policies in Eliciting Lay Witness Testimony

§1210.1       Nonexertional Impairments

§1210.2       Exertional Impairments

§1211    Use of the SSR 96-9p Policies in Cross-Examining Vocational Experts at a Disability Hearing

§1211.1       Disability by a Direct Comparison

§1211.2       Disability by Analogy

§1211.3       Use of the SSR 96-9p Policies When Obtaining Independent Vocational Expert Reports

Introduction to Vocational Evidence

Chapter Thirteen  The Role of Reliable Vocational Information at the Social Security Administration

§1300    Introduction

§1300.1       Practice Tip

§1301    Vocational Information Is Not for Use in Children’s Disability Cases

§1301.1       Use the Rulings — They Are a Boon to Litigators

§1302    Why Is There a Need for Reliable Vocational Evidence? Speculation Is Insufficient Evidence

§1303    The Role of Vocational Evidence in the Sequential Evaluation Process

§1303.1       Different Sequential Evaluation Process for Cessation Cases

Chapter Fourteen  The Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Structure, History, Reliability, and Validity

§1400    Introduction

§1400.1       Where Do I Find the DOT?

§1401    The DOT Is Not All Inclusive

§1402    Parts of the DOT Occupational Definition

§1402.1       Example DOT Definition

§1402.2       The Occupational Code Number

§1402.3       The Occupational Title

§1402.3.1         Master Titles

§1402.3.2         Term Titles

§1402.3.3         Industry Designation

§1402.3.4         Alternate Titles

§1402.3.5         The Body of the Definition

§1402.3.6         Undefined Related Titles

§1402.3.7         Definition Trailer

§1402.3.8         The GOE (Guide for Occupational Exploration) Code

§1402.3.9         The Strength Rating

§1402.3.10       Vocational Experts Versus the DOT Regarding Exertional Classifications

§1402.3.11       The GED Level

§1402.3.12       The SVP Level

§1402.3.13       Sources of Specific Vocational Preparation

§1402.3.14       The Date of Last Update

§1403    Understanding the Dictionary of Occupational Titles — History and Reliability

§1403.1       Summary: Sources of Error in the DOT

§1403.1.1         SSA’s Disability Adjudication Framework Rests Upon the Research, Theories and Publication of the DOT

§1403.1.2         The DOT and “Companion Volumes” Are Used by the SSA in Past-Work Adjudication

§1403.1.3         The Medical-Vocational Guidelines (Grids) Are Based Upon the Data of the DOT

§1403.1.4         The Grid Tables Were Derived From the DOT, DOT Data, and the DOT’s Underlying Assumptions

§1403.1.5         SSA’s Physical Exertion Requirement Definitions Come From the DOT

§1403.1.6         SSA’s Definitions of Non-Exertional Work Come from the DOT

§1403.1.7         SAA’s Definition and the Alleged Quantity of “Unskilled” Jobs Is Based Upon the DOT

§1403.2       The Dictionary of Occupational Titles — An Ancient and Abandoned Taxonomy

§1403.2.1         The Revised Fourth Edition of the DOT

§1403.2.2         Who Compiled the DOT?

§1403.3       The Unreliability of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles

§1403.3.1         The DOT Is No Longer Updated or Produced

§1403.3.2         The DOT Is a Dead Letter Because it Is Obsolete

§1403.3.3         The Production of the DOT Was Seriously Under-Documented and Under-Published

§1403.3.4         How the Methodology Used for the Creation of the DOT Was Flawed

§1403.3.5         How Were the Industries Selected for Analysis?

§1403.3.6         The DOT Never Differentiated Between Full-Time and Part-Time Work

§1403.3.7         The Analysis of “Procedures and Processes” Was Haphazard

§1403.3.8         Who Determined What Was a “Job” or “Occupation?”

§1403.3.9         Shortcuts Were Taken in Writing the Job Descriptions and Assigning the DOT Codes

§1403.3.10       Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) Was Not Accurately Assessed

§1403.3.11       Aptitude Ratings Were Most Ambiguous

§1403.3.12       Environmental Conditions and Physical Demands Were Not Measured

§1403.3.13       Some Jobs in the DOT Were Never Reanalyzed after 1965

§1403.3.14       Definition Writing — the Funneling-Down Problem

§1403.3.15       Sampling Procedure Limitations

§1403.3.16       Source Data Limitations

§1403.4       Ratings of Worker Functions and Worker Traits — Validity and Reliability

§1403.4.1         Ratings of Worker Functions and Worker Traits — Validity

§1403.4.2         Ratings of Worker Functions and Worker Traits — Validity and Reliability

§1403.4.3         Ratings of Worker Functions and Worker Traits — the Factor Structure

§1403.5       Sex Bias in the Rating of Occupations

Chapter Fifteen  Other Sources of Vocational Data

§1500    Introduction to Other Sources of Vocational Data

§1501    What Are the “Companion Volumes” to the DOT?

§1502    History of the Selected Characteristics of the DOT (SCO)

§1503    O*NET and Social Security Administration

§1504    County Business Patterns Do Not Provide Occupational Data

§1505    Census Reports

§1505.1       Census Reports Do Not Contain DOT-Related Vocational Information

§1505.2       Examples of Changes in Census Codes From 1990 to 2000

§1505.3       Census Occupational Data Limitations

§1505.4       Sample Cross-Examination of a VE — Census Data

§1506    Occupational Outlook Handbook, Published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

§1506.1       Sample Occupational Outlook Handbook Occupation — Security Guard

§1506.2       Sample Cross-Examination, Occupational Outlook Handbook Occupation — SURVEILLANCE-SYSTEM MONITOR

§1507    Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)

§1507.1       The Limitations of the “Crosswalk”

§1507.2       The BLS Data Include Unknown Quantities of Part-Time Jobs

§1507.3       Shortcomings of the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)

§1508    Various States’ Occupational Data Collection Methods

§1509    Example: Wisconsin Projections 1994-2005 and 2000-2010

§1509.1       Shortcomings of Wisconsin Projections 2005-2007 and 2004-2014

§1510    Non-Governmental Sources

§1510.1       Computer Systems That Allow for Easy Access to the DOT Data Set From the Revised Fourth Edition to the DOT

§1510.2       Computer Systems That Allow for Easy Access to the DOT Data Set From the Revised Fourth Edition to the DOT — Are They Reliable?

§1510.3       Occupational Employment Quarterly and Skilled Employment Quarterly

§1510.3.1         Data Source

§1510.3.2         Shortcomings

§1510.3.3         Sample Vocational Report Regarding U.S. Publishing Data

§1510.4       “Revised” or “Updated” Versions of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles

§1510.4.1         Example of a “Revised” or “Updated” Version of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles — Economic Research Institute’s eDOT

§1510.4.2         Problems With the PAQ/ERI Data

§1510.4.3         Summary — Weaknesses of the eDOT

§1511    Tracking an Attack on VE Testimony From Pre-Hearing Memo to the Final Decision in a District Court Case

§1511.1       Setting the Stage — Send the Duces Tecum Letter

§1511.2       VE Testimony

§1511.3       Post-Hearing Memorandum to ALJ

§1511.4       Letter to Appeals Council

§1511.5       Section From the District Court Brief

§1511.6       Reply Brief in District Court

§1511.7       District Court Decision

§1511.8       Conclusion: Tracking an Attack on VE Testimony From Pre-Hearing Memo to the Final Decision in a District Court Case

§1512    Action Ideas for Attacking VE Testimony on Any Data

§1512.1       Any Data — Sample Letter Attacking VE Testimony

Chapter Sixteen  Vocational Information and Analysis at Step Four of the Sequential Evaluation Process

§1600    Vocational Evidence at Step Four of the Sequential Evaluation Process

§1600.1       Regulatory Framework

§1601    Burdens at Step Four

§1602    Reliable Vocational Evidence at Step Four

§1603    Rulings About Step Four

§1604    Note and Caveat — Steps One and Four of the Sequential Evaluation Process

§1605    Past Relevant Work — Defining it and Identifying it

§1605.1       Work Experience Must Have Been SGA Before it Becomes Past-Relevant Work

§1605.2       Employees

§1605.3       Non-Sheltered Earnings and the Earnings Guidelines

§1605.4       “Comparability of Work” and “Worth of Work”

§1605.5       Sheltered Earnings and the Earnings Guidelines

§1605.6       Sheltered Earnings and Non-Monetary Tests of SGA

§1605.7       Detailed Earnings Queries (DEQYs)

§1605.8       Self-Employed Individuals

§1605.9       Past-Relevant Work Performed in a Foreign Country

§1605.10     Job Training and Employment Programs/Volunteer Programs

§1606    Duration as an Element of Past-Relevant Work

§1606.1       Example — Duration

§1606.2       Sporadic, “Off-and-On,” and Brief Work Attempts

§1606.3       Unsuccessful Work Attempts

§1606.4       Trial Work Periods

§1607    Recency

§1608    The Past-Relevant Work Does Not Actually Have to Exist

§1609    Past Relevant Work “As Performed” and “As Generally Performed”

§1610    SSR 82-61 and Past-Relevant “Kind of Work”

§1611    Exceptions to Using the DOT to Define Jobs “As Usually Performed”

§1612    Composite Jobs

§1613    Past-Relevant Work Performed in a Foreign Country

§1614    Using the DOT to Define Past-Relevant “Kind of Work”

§1615    Sources of Information About Functional Demands and Job Duties “As Performed”

§1615.1       Form: Transferable Skills Worksheet — Sources of Information About Functional Demands and Job Duties “As Performed”

§1616    Classifying Past-Relevant Work: Defining Past-Relevant Work “As Performed” and “As Generally Performed” and Using the Claimant’s RFC to Make the Step-Four Determination — A Comprehensive Example

§1616.1       Comprehensive Example — Conclusion

§1617    Form: Information Required to Perform a Step-Four Analysis

Chapter Seventeen  Vocational Evidence at Step Five of the Sequential Evaluation Process

§1700    Introduction

§1701    The Statutory Definition of “Disability”

§1702    The ALJ Cannot Use a VE to Beat the Medical-Vocational Guidelines

§1703    Inconsistency and the Medical-Vocational Guidelines

§1704    Key Concept: Nonexertional Impairments

§1705    The “Significant Numbers” Problem and the Medical-Vocational Guidelines

§1705.1       Structure of the Medical Vocational Guidelines

§1706    Exertion and Full-Ranges of Work

§1707    Work Which Exists in Significant Numbers

§1708    Is a “Significant Number” of Jobs a Conceptual Definition?

§1708.1       “Significant Number” of Jobs as a Fact

§1708.2       “Significant Number” of Jobs and Age

§1709    The “Occupational Bases” Underlying the Medical-Vocational Rules

§1710    The Issue of Work Adjustment

§1711    “Work Which Exists in Significant Numbers” — The Two-Step Process Built Into the Medical-Vocational Guidelines

§1711.1       “Work Which Exists in Significant Numbers” Example

§1711.2       “Work Which Exists in Significant Numbers” — Claimants With Transferable Skills

§1712    What Is This “Vocational Advantage” Bestowed by Transferable Skills?

§1713    Determining the Remaining Occupational Base — Five Rulings and a Regulation

§1713.1       The Regulation

§1713.2       Five Rulings

§1713.2.1         Case on Point: “Significant Number of Jobs” and the Grids

§1713.3       Fast and the Seventh Circuit’s Rejection of the Grids as a Framework for Solely Nonexertional Limitations

§1714    Mastering the Technical Language of the Medical-Vocational Guidelines

§1714.1       Borderline-Age Situations and the Medical-Vocational Guidelines

§1714.2       Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

§1714.3       Sedentary Work

§1714.4       Light Work

§1714.5       Medium Work

§1714.6       Heavy Work

§1714.7       Very Heavy Work

§1714.8       Age

§1714.8.1         Important Proposed Regulation Regarding Age Categories

§1714.9       Education

§1714.9.1         Inability to Communicate in English

§1714.9.2         Illiteracy

§1714.9.3         Marginal Education

§1714.9.4         Limited Education

§1714.10     High School Graduate or More — Does Not Provide for Direct Entry Into Skilled Work

§1714.11     High School Graduate or More — Provides for Direct Entry Into Skilled Work

§1714.12     Previous Work Experience

§1715    Using the Grid Rules to Direct a Finding of “Disabled” or “Not Disabled”

§1715.1       Social Security Ruling 83-11

§1715.2       Using the Grid Rules as a Framework for Evaluating Exertional Limitations Within a Range of Work or Between Ranges of Work

§1716    Social Security Ruling 83-12

§1716.1       Applying the Medical-Vocational Rules as a Framework: SSR 83-12 Example

§1716.2       Social Security Ruling 83-12 — Summary

§1717    Social Security Ruling 83-14

§1717.1       Social Security Ruling 83-14 — Summary

§1718    Social Security Ruling 85-15

§1718.1       Social Security Ruling 85-15 — Summary

§1719    SSR 96-9p and the Occupational Base for Individuals Under Age 50

§1720    The Effect of Transferable Skills on the Occupational Bases

§1721    Transferable Skills for Individuals of Advanced Age — Equitable Considerations

§1722    Table of Occupational Base Sizes and its Relevance to “Advanced Age”

§1723    Taking This to the Hearing

§1724    The Framework of the Medical-Vocational Guidelines and Vocational Expert Cross-Examination: Claimants Aged 50 and Older

§1725    The Framework of the Medical-Vocational Guidelines and Vocational Expert Cross-Examination: Claimants Under Age 50

Chapter Eighteen  Transferability of Skills Analysis

§1800    Introduction

§1801    Transferability: Historical Origins and Reliability

§1801.1       Practice Tip: Transferability — Statutory and Regulatory Origins

§1802    Transferability — Statutory and Regulatory Origins

§1803    Step-Four Issues

§1804    Classifying a Claimant’s Previous Work Experience as Past-Relevant Work (PRW)

§1805    Assigning SVP Levels to Past-Relevant Work

§1805.1   &nb