ptsd Gaf Score

[Moody]

how does the va caculate your GAF score into there decision I really dont know much about it but I have a claim in for PTSD and my GAF is 55 some any help in understanding this will be greatly approciated .

[Moody]

oh ok thanks so much but the doc didnt ask me those question at the C&P

[Papa]

I'll be honest, as raters we really don't pay too much attention to the GAF score, which is usually just an indicator from 1-100 of how well you deal with stress, life & your symptoms. What we really pay attention to are the symptoms the doctor lists, such as depression, anxiety, how often you have panic attacks, any memory loss, suicidal ideation, if you have OCD behaviors or hallucinations, etc. The GAF is more of a tiebreaker if we can't decide on an evaluation. For instance, if your symptoms put you on the fence between a 30% and a 50% evaluation, and your GAFis really low (30%) we may swing to a 50% evaluation for you. A GAF of say, 70, tells us you are handling things rather well, so we might consider the 30% more.

Verlinda,

I have been waiting since Sept 2010, for a rating on my request for an increase. The Doctor does talk about my OCD, that the PTSD is the cause of my eating issue. That with my level of PTSD that I would not be able to work. Just do not understand what is taking so long, and when I try to find out I get the run around. Even, my Lawyers can not get any information. It seems like they are trying to hide something. Could it be that the VA does not like the fact that their Doctlor connected PTSD with my Obesity? Would really appreciate your feedback.

Papa

[donna68]

The new Evaluation Builder that is used to rate conditions places alot of weight on the GAF score, however a Rater can adjust the % generated by the program if they see its warranted.

GAF SCORE SCALE 91 - 100 No symptoms. 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. 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 occasional argument with family members). 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). 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. 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). 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). 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). 21 - 30 Behavior is considerably influenced by delusions or hallucinations OR serious impairment, in communication or judgment (e.g., sometimes incoherent, acts grossly inappropriately, suicidal preoccupation) OR inability to function in almost all areas (e.g., stays in bed all day, no job, home, or friends) 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). 1 - 10 Persistent danger of severely hurting self or others (e.g., recurrent violence) OR persistent inability to maintain minimal personal hygiene OR serious suicidal act with clear expectation of death.

[Veldrina]

Papa,

Aside from the usual backlog, which I'm sure you're tired of hearing about, there may be other reasons (& I'm just guessing, as these are some we encounter) for the delay. It could be that there are not enough psych docs at the hospital to handle the volume of mental disorder claims (we have that issue in NY state, & i think only Albany is able to handle theirs without needing to resort to bringing in docs from other places to conduct the exams). It could also be that the rationale the doc gave was unclear (or gave no rationale) and as obesity is not necessarily a secondary symptom of PTSD, the raters may be having an issue with the doc on how to rate that. It could also be that the office is middle of restructuring...we are going onto a few new online systems they are developing, and they have also changed the outlook of the letters/ratings to a new SNL (simplified notification letter) form that wasn't very well explained to us, yet we are expected to comply. There is internal restructuring going on in a few offices as well as they test new pilot systems, and our office is brokering out cases like mad. It seems like everything is happening at once at VA & we're all scurrying around like a disturbed anthill.

Do you have a POA (service org?) Most of our service orgs are located within the bldg & I've had many of hem come up to me in the day & ask about one case or another. I think it helps immensely to confer with them so that there's less confusion & wasted time as to what a claim needs to be complete.

[Papa]

Veldrina,

Please look at my post under P&C exams.

Thanks

Papa

[Pete53]

Veldrina I believe the answer is that Papa is dealing with Houston RO one of the worst and most backed up in the system