CFR > Title 20 - Employees' Benefits > CHAPTER II—RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD > SUBCHAPTER B—REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT (parts 201 to 295) > PART 220—DETERMINING DISABILITY > SUBPART K—Vocational Considerations (§220.125 to §220.135) > 220.127—When the only work experience is arduous unskilled physical labor.

220.127—When the only work experience is arduous unskilled physical labor.

(a) Arduous work. Arduous work is primarily physical work requiring a high level of strength or endurance. The Board will consider the claimant unable to do lighter work and therefore, disabled if he or she has—
(1) A marginal education (see § 220.129 );
(2) Work experience of 35 years or more during which he or she did arduous unskilled physical labor; and
(3) A severe impairment which no longer allows him or her to do arduous unskilled physical labor.
(b) Exceptions. The Board may consider the claimant not disabled if—
(1) The claimant is working or has worked despite his or her impairment(s) (except where work is sporadic or not medically advisable); or
(2) Evidence shows that the claimant has training or past work experience which enables him or her to do substantial gainful activity in another occupation with his or her impairment, either full-time or on reasonably regular part-time basis.

Code of Federal Regulations

Example: B is a 60-year-old miner with a 4th grade education who has a life-long history of arduous physical labor. B says that he is disabled because of arthritis of the spine, hips, and knees, and other impairments. Medical evidence shows a combination of impairments and establishes that these impairments prevent B from performing his usual work or any other type of arduous physical labor. His vocational background does not show that he has skills or capabilities needed to do lighter work which would be readily transferable to another work setting. Under these circumstances, the Board will find that B is disabled.