How is an impairment typically classified in Social Security assessments?

In Social Security assessments, an impairment is typically classified as mild, moderate, or severe to evaluate its impact on an individual's ability to work and perform daily activities. This classification helps determine the level of functional limitations a person experiences due to their condition.

When considering the functionality and effects of various impairments, this three-tiered classification system provides a structured way to assess the severity and ongoing challenges faced by the individual. For example, a mild impairment may not significantly hinder daily activities or employment, whereas a severe impairment could substantially limit one’s capacity to engage in work or normal life functions.

Other classifications, such as permanent or temporary, controllable or uncontrollable, and chronic or acute, may carry importance in medical contexts or therapeutic settings but do not directly align with the specific evaluative framework used by Social Security when determining eligibility for disability benefits. The focus in Social Security assessments is primarily on the extent of impairment and its effects on functionality rather than the duration or manageability of the condition itself.