The SSA defines "concentration, persistence or pace" as "the
ability to sustain focused attention and concentration sufficiently long
to permit the timely and appropriate completion of tasks commonly found
in work settings." Notice, the phrase "work settings."
The SSA wants to know the claimant's ability to concentrate at work
and it wants a mental status examination or psychological data.
The tests that demonstrate mental status or concentration must demonstrate
short-term memory issues through completing tasks that need to be finished
within well-defined time restraints. Thus, a claimant's concentration
issues that result from the mental disorder, must have a substantial impact
on his or her ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
Remember, a brain surgeon will not be considered
disabled simply because he or she can no longer perform the surgery appropriately.
That is, the SSA expressly states that "[d]eficiencies that are apparent only in
performing complex procedures or tasks that would not satisfy the intent of this [rule]." The reason why
the brain surgeon would not be considered disabled is because the brain
surgeon will be able to perform some other job that is much more simple.
If your mental disorder is affecting your job, then you need to
contact a Dallas Social Security Disability lawyer today to see if you are eligible
to receive Social Security Disability Benefits.