ptsd C&p Exam Results Vs. Raters Decision

[Tiki]

Hi all and thanks so much fro being here for us. Spent my time in the USAF 67-68 at the Dong Ha Marine Combat Base 6 miles from the DMZ.

Just received a copy of my C&P for PTSD from Mar '09. It states - Axis 1: PTSD - Axis 5: GAF 55. On pg. 15 it asks: IS THERE TOTAL OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO MENTAL DISORDER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ? ANS: yes.

Then the narrative below says:

"Veteran becomes hypervigilant and experiences flashbacks in the presence of people and is afraid of going out from fear of getting these symptoms he does not go out to socialise with people, stays home, gave up leisure activities, isolates himself and stays home mostly. He cannot experience loving feelings, cannot feel close to people, has been living alone for many years and isolates himself from others. His occupational and psychosocial status are impaired by his PTSD symptoms."

Also, any info in that opinion came from the VA Social Worker Counselor and the VA Psychiatrist that I have been seeing. I know this because the C&P exam lasted 10 minutes and the DR. really didn't want to hear anything saying " I have all the info I need here already." He was pointing to my C-File.

After talking with others, they tell me language was similar (Total Impairment) in the C&P Report they received and yet they got ratings as low as 30%.

My question is: Is it common to use that language (total impairment) and still come out with a lower rating than a vet deserves? And how can a Rater's opinion trump a Psychiatrist's opinion who has been seeing you for months, and if it does isn't it obvious that a higher authority will overrule the rater on appeal?

[WHOLESALE]

They don't??? Here are some cases that GAF was in the decisions.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp09/files1/0905952.txt

http://www.va.gov/vetapp09/files1/0900877.txt

There are lot's more...Just do a search for GAF mood disorder and over 1000 cases come up.

frank

Repeat after me: "GAF scores mean nothing"....

Edited August 13, 2009 by WHOLESALE

[WHOLESALE]

Repeat after me: "GAF scores mean nothing"....

In addition to the applicable rating criteria, in evaluating

the Veteran's major depressive disorder, the Board has also

considered the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores

assigned, and the definition of those scores. There is no question

that the GAF score and the interpretations of the score are

important considerations in rating a psychiatric disability.

See, e.g., Richard v. Brown, 9 Vet. App. 266, 267 (1996);

Carpenter v. Brown, 8 Vet. App. 240 (1995).

frank

[purple]

The GAF may be "in" the decision....but it doesn't make the decision. One GAF score is a snapshot in time. Evidence from medical records makes the decision.

[WHOLESALE]

I agree with that purple. I also believe the VA will use a high GAF against the Vet if they can but on the other hand won't use a low GAF for the vet's benefit. They look for any excuse to deny.

frank

The GAF may be "in" the decision....but it doesn't make the decision. One GAF score is a snapshot in time. Evidence from medical records makes the decision.

[sgmdae]

John,

shat do you mean the stressor verifucationis what screws up the claim?????????

[carlie]

I also believe the VA will use a high GAF against the Vet if they can but on the other hand

won't use a low GAF for the vet's benefit.

frank

Just like cookin' in the kitchen.

This is a fairly standard VBA recipe ~ lol.

carlie