What is a Severe Impairment?

Social Security Ruling 96-3(p) states that impairment is considered severe if it “significantly limits an individual’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” To be “non-severe,” an impairment must be a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on the ability to do basic work activities. Making sure that all severe impairments are included for social security disability purposes can be the difference between winning and losing a case.