An attorney can help your own doctor submit a comprehensive RFC form that explains, in detail, the limitations you currently have and how your medical condition or disability causes those limitations. The doctor you see regularly is better positioned to understand the full limitations and effects of your disability because they have been personally treating your medical condition. The Department of Developmental Services will use the opinion of one of their medical consultants who may not be familiar with you or your condition to establish your RFC. A disability attorney can help you provide evidence that shows that your RFC does not allow you to continue working in any job. You will need to provide evidence that you cannot return to your previous job or another type of job to become eligible for disability benefits. The Value of Submitting Your Own Doctor’s OpinionĪn experienced disability attorney will improve the Social Security Administration’s likelihood of accepting your claim. This determination will depend on your age, RFC, skills, and education. Should the claims examiner decide you can’t continue your previous job, they will use your RFC to determine if you should reasonably be able to learn another type of job. If your prior job was rated for medium work, such as a mail carrier or auto mechanic job, and you’ve been assigned a light RFC, the examiner may find that you cannot return to your former job. In that case, the examiner will likely determine that you cannot return to your prior job. However, suppose your RFC includes restrictions like an inability to remember instructions due to memory problems or mental limitations. In that case, the claims examiner will likely determine that you should be able to return to your job. Next, the claims examiner will compare your RFC level to the level of your past work experience.įor example, suppose your previous job was sedentary and involved computer work, and your RFC is for sedentary work or higher. For example, if a doctor has restricted an employee to standing and walking no longer than two hours every day, the RFC will be for sedentary work. Specifically, the claims examiner will carefully consider your work history for the last 15 years to determine what type of work you’ve done and know how to do. The claims examiner will use your RFC to determine whether you can be expected to do your current job. How Is Residual Functional Capacity Used? If a claimant has seizures or epilepsy, the examiner will consider whether these render him or her unable to work. The medical consultant will consider a claimant’s ability to carry out instructions while at work or interact with managers and employees and consider whether the claimant can follow directions, as well as speak and respond appropriately to managers, coworkers, and customers.įinally, the medical consultant may consider other factors such as impairments to hearing or vision or irritation to the lungs or skin that may make them unable to work in certain conditions. The medical consultant will also examine whether the claimant’s work and medical records demonstrate limited mental residual functional capacity. There are five recognized exertion levels in an RFC: How long the claimant can perform certain activities depends on the exertion level at which the claimant will be able to perform work. The physical RFC forms break down each activity into five categories: never, rarely, occasionally, frequently, and constantly. Can bend over, crawl, kneel, or reach for objects.Experiences discomfort or pain when sitting or remaining in the same positions while working.Can walk or stand for long periods of time.A person’s physical RFC depends on which health conditions have affected his or her ability to perform physical activities while on the job, specifically, whether the claimant: RFC determinations fall into three categories: physical, mental, or other. Determining Physical Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Contact Disability Advocates Group today to schedule a free initial consultation. Disability Advocates Group can help you submit a thorough and accurate application that demonstrates your limitations. You will need to show that your residual functional capacity prevents you from working. Reach Out to a Los Angeles Disability AttorneyĪpplying for Social Security disability benefits can be a challenging process. Residual functional capacity measures how much a person’s disabling impairments prevent him or her from meeting the requirements of the workplace. The Social Security Administration uses residual functional capacity (RFC) to assess your eligibility for benefits. If you are unable to work due to a medical condition or disability, you may be entitled to Social Security benefits.
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