Who Gives Gaf Scoes?

[c&p man]

I am just now claiming depression ,but who gives you a gaf score? is it only given at c and p exams? i never gotten one even though i go to a va

[sgmdae]

3 appointments to Mental Health, never a GAF

Whats the deal, I don't want to ask for one

Discussion and more meds,

She said it looks like Bi Polar disorder, Memory lost, Compulsive disorder

mention PTSD

I think she has taking a disliking to me, especially after she read a letter my wife wrote on my behalf about the past

Hell, I don't like me

[c&p man]

There are many things that can be objective in mental health records. Lack of the ability to maintain employment, lack of the ability to function in society, hospitalizations, suicide attempts (I AM NOT RECOMMENDING THIS!!!!!), etc. All of these things when combined with the notes and observations of a doc (or more than one doc) form hard medical evidence.

just thought it was funny how i diagnosed with major depressive disorder moderate level and after this last visit it was mild ???i guess he will changed it each time??is this normal

[Pete53]

The VA Shrinks feel better about themselves when they can say the Veteran improved.

[sgmdae]

She says I need more rest, 40 years of 2-3 hours a night, some nights none

How many years of college do you need to figure out I need more rest,

Feel better, not a chance

take more drugs, try these, keep this chart, and come back in two weeks

Lord, when do they get to point, where they help!!!

[MikeR]

I think most of them get burned out on Vet issues after a while, that is all that they want to do. I have had one Pyschologist tell me that my issues were giving him nightmares and we stopped the sessions. My issues would have had him hanging in his closet. Lucky me, I only have PTSD, and Depression.

[tssnave]

Here's a link to what I believe is the GAF score chart the VA is supposed to use:

http://www.desertpacific.mirecc.va.gov/gaf...-scale-6-07.pdf

After I had my C&P exam and found this chart I did a self GAF assesment. I assigned myself a number for each of the three areas of functioning, added them up, and divided by three. My self GAF for the day of my C&P exam was lower than the one the C&P examiner gave me by 3 - 9 points depending on how you score not being able to work (as either no work activities or unable to provide for own food/clothing - if you can't work you can't provide for yourself!).

Of course, catch me when I'm manic or deeply depressed and you would get a single digit number and catch me interepisode (like today) and I'm relatively normal on the Social Fx and Symotomatic Fx. This is why your rating is not supposed to be changed based on one exam if you have an episodic illness like bipolar disorder.

I agree with Purple - there are PLENTY of objective criteria that are supposed to be used in assigning a GAF score. However, Wholesale is completely on target, IMHO, when he wrote - Even when doctors put in objective notes they are being "subjective in their objectivity" How true, how true.

Pete said the VA shrinks want you to improve and I think there is much more to that than the VA Comp & Pen section realizes - these shrinks carry very heavy case loads so there could be an unconcious bias to get folks off the roles. Also, they are people too who devote their lives to helping others so they would want job satisfaction just like anyone else. Of course, in counseling all we talk about are the VETERAN'S unconcious thoughts, nobody takes into account what might be going on for the shrinks.

We had a vet on hadit who got his rating reduced because of one chance comment on a good day he made to either his counselor or social worker that he had found the best way to feel better was to go fishing, which he was preparing to do. From this one comment on one good day, they hung his reduction in benefits by ignoring multiple other treatment notes of his struggles. That the VA picks and chooses what evidence to use and what evidence to ignore is one of the major contributing factors for appeals.

I'll get off my soapbox.....

TS