When you go to a hearing at Social Security the main question is can you do a job. The judge approaches this question is several steps. The first is whether you can do your old job. If you cannot do the old job, then he asks whether you can do any job. If you can do some job and you are under 50 years of age it means you are not disabled. If you are 50 years of age or older, then depending on the type of job you can do you could still be found disabled.
It is important that the judge understand exactly what your former job required. What lifting was required, what walking, sitting, standing was required. The requirements may put it out your reach based on your current limitations. It also important that your current limitations are defined. In other words will your doctor describe your limitations. Have you had a recent functional capacity evaluation? Are your complaints documented? Such as emergency room visits, witnesses to seizures, symptoms reported in doctors’ notes.
The vocational expert will respond to the judges questions and provide potential jobs you could perform based on your limitations. You must listen to these questions carefully and ask the vocational expert questions that will take into account your limitations as you experience them.