In order for an 18 to 44 year old to secure a disability finding it must always be demonstrated that he or she has a sedentary occupational base that has been significantly compromised.
This means that the physical and/or mental disability must prevent the applicant from doing the lightest type of work available in the national economy. This is true regardless of whether or not the 18 to 44 year old claimant is literate or illiterate. It is likewise true that regardless of whether or not that individual has always done unskilled jobs in the past.
In representing younger individuals, the standard is very strict and the medical evidence should be definitive. This means that the reports should specifically demonstrate that the disability involve prevents the claimant from performing even the lightest types of work activities.
