Nonexertional Limitations and Social Security RFC

Examples of nonexertional limitations

Mental limits can affect understanding instructions, concentration, persistence, pace, social interaction, or adapting to changes. Other nonexertional limits may involve reaching or handling, balance and other postural activities, vision or hearing, environmental exposures, or pain-related restrictions that do not fit neatly into a strength category.

SSA assesses the specific work-related functions affected by a medically determinable impairment and related symptoms. The name of a condition alone does not establish what a person can or cannot do at work.

The Grid Rules may be a framework

The Grid Rules primarily account for exertional strength levels along with age, education, and work history. If nonexertional restrictions do not significantly erode the relevant occupational base, a rule may still direct a decision. If they reduce the available work, the rules may instead provide a framework while SSA evaluates the extent of the erosion.

When the effect of a limitation is not clear from the rules and rulings, SSA may rely on a vocational expert or another vocational resource to address whether jobs exist and what restrictions those jobs allow. A vocational expert is not required in every case; the need depends on the record and the vocational question.

Explore the Grid RulesSSR 83-14 on combined limitationsSSR 96-9p on reduced sedentary capacity

Combined limitations and practical documentation

Many claims include both exertional and nonexertional limits. For example, a person may have a lifting restriction along with difficulty sustaining attention or using the hands repetitively. SSA considers the combined supported effects rather than evaluating each restriction in isolation.

If a medical source describes functional limits, details can help SSA understand their work effect: how often a task can be done, for how long, how much time is needed away from task, and which findings support the opinion. SSA makes the RFC decision based on the full record and does not automatically adopt a single provider’s statement. Describe your abilities accurately and consistently rather than estimating or overstating what you can do.

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