Last Update: 9/08/05 (Transmittal I-3-36)
In disability cases the Appeals Council may remand to obtain vocational evidence, including evidence from a Vocational Expert (VE). Evidence from a VE or other vocational evidence may be necessary with respect to issues such as:
how a particular job is usually performed;
whether the claimant acquired any skills in past relevant work and, if so, whether the claimant can use such skills in a significant number of skilled or semi-skilled occupations which the claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform;
based upon hypothetical situations the ALJ describes, what jobs the claimant can perform, the incidence in the national economy of such jobs, and whether, for individuals age 55 or over, such jobs require any vocational adjustment;
whether limitations and restrictions resulting from the claimant's exertional or nonexertional impairment(s) substantially diminish the occupational base administratively noticed in Appendix 2 to Subpart P, Regulations No. 4;
whether the claimant's remaining occupational base represents a significant number of jobs in the national economy; and
whether the claimant can perform a significant number of jobs administratively noticed in Appendix 2 to Subpart P, Regulations No. 4.