Grids Remember, these medical-vocational guidelines apply: only if the claimant does not meet or equal a LISTING (click here for abridged listing of impairments) , and only if there are no non-exertional (mental, postural, manipulative, environmental) impairments. Such impairments "take the case off the grids" and require other vocational evidence. These rules are for figuring out whether, for example, a bad knee, or perhaps a lifting restriction after shoulder surgery, DISABLES a given worker at a given age with a given education and work history. For the full, detailed table of Grid Rules, see 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2. Age Education Past Work Physical Limitations Disability Case in a Nutshell Advanced Age (55+) No high school diploma or GED helps case; the less education, the stronger the case Having skills or transferable skills can make a difference Must show limited to light work or less May show disabled if can't walk and lift 10-25 lbs. for good part of day Closely Approaching Advanced Age (50-54) No high school diploma or GED helps case; the less education, the stronger the case Having skills or transferable skills can make a difference Must show limited to sedentary work or less May show disabled if can't walk or lift even 2-10 lbs., with no sit-down job or skills Younger (45-49) Literacy in English only makes a difference if limited to sedentary work Unskilled history doesn't matter Must show limited to less-than-sedentary work Need some mental or manual dexterity impairment Younger (18-44) Education, literacy irrelevant Unskilled history doesn't matter Must show limited to less-than-sedentary work Need some mental or manual dexterity impairment