usmcman001 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I finally got a copy of c&p and have a GAF of 58. What does that mean? Does that effect rating? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11cvolley Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I finally got a copy of c&p and have a GAF of 58. What does that mean? Does that effect rating? Thanks Not really sure, but mine is always around 45-50 and I'm told that is severe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmcman001 Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 And you are rated att 30%???? Is that for PTSD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1st_infantry Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 I finally got a copy of c&p and have a GAF of 58. What does that mean? Does that effect rating? Thanks Your GAF score is a “Global Assessment of Function” numerical short hand used by mental health practitioners to document how a patient is doing over all mentally. According to the DSM IV, there are numerous ratings set forth below. For example a GAF of (91 - 100): would reflect superior functioning in a wide range of activities, life’s problems never seem to get out of hand, is sought out by others because of his or her many positive qualities. No symptoms. A GAF of (81 - 90): Absent or minimal symptoms (e.g., mild anxiety before an exam), good functioning in all areas, interested and involved in a wide range of activities, socially effective, generally satisfied with life, no more than everyday problems or concerns (e.g., an argument with family members). A GAF of (71 - 80): If symptoms are present, they are transient and expectable reactions to psychosocial stressors (e.g. difficulty concentrating after family argument); no more than slight impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., temporarily falling behind in schoolwork). A GAF of (61 - 70): Some mild symptoms (e.g, depressed mood and mild insomnia) or some difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., occasional truancy, or theft within the household), but generally functioning pretty well, has some meaningful interpersonal relationships. A GAF of (51 - 60): Moderate symptoms (e.g., flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) or moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or co-workers). A GAF of (41 - 50): Serious symptoms (e.g., suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting) or any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., no friends, unable to keep a job). A GAF of (31 - 40): Some impairment in reality testing or communication (e.g., speech is at times illogical, obscure, or irrelevant) or major impairment in several areas, such as work or school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood) (e.g., depressed man avoids friends, neglects family, and is unable to work; child frequently beats up younger children, is defiant at home, and is failing at school). A GAF of (21 - 30): Behavior is considerably influenced by delusions or hallucinations or serious impairment, in communication, or judgment (e.g., stays in bed all day, no job, home or friends). A GAF of (11 - 20): Some danger of hurting self or others (e.g., suicide attempts without clear expectation of death; frequently violent, manic excitement) or occasionally fails to maintain minimal personal hygiene (e.g., smears feces) or gross impairment in communication (e.g., largely incoherent or mute). A GAF of (1 - 10): Persistent danger or severely hurting self or others (e.g., recurrent violence) or persistent inability to maintain minimal hygiene or serious suicidal act with clear expectation of death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlie Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 usmc, Here's a BVA case that provides some additional info, relevant to your question. GAF scores can change hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, etc... http://www.va.gov/vetapp10/Files4/1039147.txt The GAF score is a scale reflecting the "psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a hypothetical continuum of mental health-illness." Richard v. Brown, 9 Vet. App. 266, 267 (1996). A score of 41 to 50 is assigned where there are "erious symptoms (e.g., suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting) OR any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., no friends, unable to keep a job)." DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS (DSM-IV) 47 (4th ed. 1994). A score of 51 to 60 is appropriate where there are "[m]oderate symptoms (e.g., flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) OR moderate difficulty in social, occupational or school functioning (e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or co-workers)." Id. It is not expected that all cases will show all the findings specified; however, findings sufficiently characteristic to identify the disease and the disability therefrom and coordination of rating with impairment of function will be expected in all instances. 38 C.F.R. § 4.21. In a claim for an increased rating, "staged" ratings may be warranted where the factual findings show distinct time periods when the service-connected disability exhibits symptoms that would warrant different ratings. Hart v. Mansfield, 21 Vet. App. 505 (2007). As explained in detail below, the Board has found that "staged" ratings are appropriate in this case. Prior to May 4, 2010 During this period, the Veteran's psychiatric disability picture most nearly approximated the criteria for the 50 percent rating that was assigned. The psychiatric disability was manifested by depressed mood, occasional panic attacks, irritability, some paranoia, restricted and dysphoric affect, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent thoughts about Vietnam, some hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, some impairment of recent and remote memory, difficulty concentrating, and chronic sleep impairment with nightmares. However, symptoms of psychiatric disability consistent with (or of equivalent severity) the criteria for a 70 percent rating are not shown, and the symptoms demonstrated are not shown to have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. There is no evidence of suicidal or homicidal ideation, obsessional rituals that interfere with routine activities (as the only obsessive ritual discussed was checking to make sure the locks were locked), speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant, near-continuous panic or depression, spatial disorientation, or neglect of personal appearance and hygiene. While there is evidence of some social impairment during this time period, as reflected by social isolation and a lack of friends, he has maintained relations (albeit strained at times) with his son and the son's mother. Notably, he has a good relationship with his elderly father (and his care of the father of itself reflects a high level of functioning). The Board also notes that both the January 2007 VA examiner (who assigned a GAF score of 55, reflecting moderate symptoms or moderate impairment in social and/or occupational functioning), and the July 2008 VA examiner found that the Veteran had no problem with activities of daily living (contraindicating deficiencies in most areas) for the Veteran, and that the July 2008 examiner specifically found the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms to be only mild to moderate. In March 2008, the Veteran was assigned a GAF score of 50, and in June 2008, he was assigned a GAF score of 45 to 50; such scores reflect that his psychiatric disability was considered manifested by serious symptoms or serious impairment in social and/or occupational functioning. However, the characterizations were an anomaly when compared against the treatment records that follow immediately thereafter (and assigned GAF scores of 55) and the July 2008 examination that found his symptoms were mild to moderate (i.e., reflective of a GAF score greater than 50 and as high as 70). See 38 C.F.R. § 4.126. Notably, symptoms reflective of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas were not alleged or noted. As was previously noted, throughout this period the Veteran's activities of daily living were noted to be unimpaired. It was noted that he had retired based on age/longevity. The symptoms of the Veteran's psychiatric disability during this time period are not shown to have been more than or to have been productive of more than moderate impairment in social and/or occupational functioning. Consequently, the preponderance of the evidence is against a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to May 4, 2010. From May 4, 2010 The Board finds from May 4, 2010, the date of a VA examination, the evidence reasonably supports the assignment of a 70 percent (but no higher) rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The psychiatric disability picture has been characterized by a severely nervous and irritable mood, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, obsessive rumination on military events, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, social isolation, avoidance behavior, and some memory loss, severe sleep impairment, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective social relationships. Such symptoms were reported on May 4, 2010 VA examination. The examiner noted that the symptoms of the Veteran's psychiatric disability were increasing in severity, with severe arousal symptoms (as indicated by severe sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, and feeling guarded, suspiciousness and paranoid tendencies). The examiner also noted many episodes of nightmares and flashbacks of such intensity that they induced panic attacks as related to recall of the past in Vietnam. The examiner found the Veteran had moderate-to-severe functional impairment, and had very little relationship with his son, and no friends of his own. Accordingly, from May 4, 2010, the schedular criteria for a 70 percent rating are reasonably shown to be met. The Board has also considered whether a still higher (100 percent) schedular rating is warranted. Although the Veteran's psychiatric disability has caused some social isolation, and the evidence shows that he has difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, he maintains a caring/responsible relationship with his father and (somewhat more limited) relations with his son and the son's mother. His everyday living activities are unimpaired, and he exhibits highly responsible behavior in tending to his father. His reasoning and judgment are considered fair. Total occupational and social impairment due to his psychiatric disability symptoms is simply not shown, and a schedular 100 percent rating is not warranted. The Board has also considered whether referral for consideration of an extraschedular rating is indicated. Inasmuch as all symptoms of the Veteran's psychiatric disability (and the associated functional impairment described) are fully encompassed by the schedular criteria for a 70 percent rating, the schedular criteria are not shown to be inadequate. See Thun v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 111 (2008). Consequently, referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted. Finally, as the Veteran retired as a laborer based on age/longevity, and SSA records indicate that he suffered a work-related injury and received SSA benefits for non-service connected disabilities (coronary artery disease and disc disease), and has not alleged unemployability due to his service-connected psychiatric disability, the matter of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability is not raised by the record. See Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet. App. 447 (2009). ORDER For the period prior to May 4, 2010 a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service connected psychiatric disability is denied; for the period beginning on such date, a staged increased rating of 70 percent is granted, subject to the regulations governing payment of monetary awards. Carlie passed away in November 2015 she is missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11cvolley Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 And you are rated att 30%???? Is that for PTSD 30% for asthma. For personal reasons I did not report somethings while in service so they made an incorrect diagnoses of asthma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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usmcman001
I finally got a copy of c&p and have a GAF of 58. What does that mean? Does that effect rating? Thanks
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