esa 50 descriptor question

Hi all,

I've got an atos ESA medical this week and have been reviewing my answers to the questions on the ESA50 form that I sent in.
I suffer with severe lower back pain and sciatic pain due to a prolapsed disc in my lower back. One of the questions on the form regarding bending and kneeling asks if a person can bend (not kneel or squat)to touch knees and straighten up again.
I absolutely cannot bend forward with my back straight to touch my knees because it is agony to do so, I find it less painfull to squat down with my knees bent if I need to reach down. I ticked the answer:'Cannot bend to touch knees and straighten up again'as this is correct and as this descriptor scores the maximum 15 points should mean that I pass the WCA on this question alone.
Can someone tell me if the descriptor applies only to bending forward to touch knees with a straight back (as I interpret it to mean) or does it include being able to squat or kneel down to touch ones knees as I am able to do, albeit with some discomfort.
Thanks.

If you check out pages 65 & 66 of the ESA Handbook available from the Members Section it should give you an idea of what the HCP will be looking for.

Thanks for the very quick reply I appreciate it. I will download the ESA handbook and look at the sections you have highlighted.