Rating For Depression

[sehinchee]

How much weight does the GAF score have with the raters? I have been diagnosed with a mood disorder secondary to my SC condition. My GAF score is 48 and I have been put on Venlafaxine. My VSO filed a claim for me, as the diagnosis clearly states that the mood disorder is secondary to my SC condition. Anyone have any idea what I should expect?

[Pete53]

sehinchee:

Great news congrats.

[mags1023]

Great news! Way to go, but keep the pressure on for higher or TDIU. Did you get the 70%?

[Berta]

Sehinchee -that is great news.

The diagnosis you got was unrefuttable.

And they didnt ignore it!

[cowgirl]

Ooooohh Yes - good for you! Keep up the good work and take care of yourself, and loved ones! Whats next for you? Careful there could be a 'whats next' feeling in a few weeks

All the best to ya,

Cowgirl'up2009!

[sehinchee]

Yes, they gave me 70% for mood disorder/depression, and I am also 30% for total knee replacement. I see a Clinical Psychologist every 8 weeks, take my meds, and go to anger management classes when I can. I am very sorry to hear about the VA mistreating so many vets, but they have been very good to me. On the advice of my VSO, I enrolled in the VA health care system in January of this year. At my initial screening, a MH nurse evaluated my mental condition by asking me some basic questions. He said that my long history of chronic pain and anger issues could be a sign of trouble, and set me up with a nurse practitioner. I saw her twice, and she determined that I had the signs of severe depression. I faxed the progress notes from those two visits to my VSO and he did the rest. I am now under the care of a Clinical Psychologist and looking forward to making progress. I do have to go for a re-eval in 12 months, but my VSO told me that this is SOP for MH claims.

[sehinchee]

If I lose my job, how difficult would it be to get TDIU granted?