We discussed Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores and how they may be helpful in your Social Security disability claim. But why are GAF scores in particular helpful?
GAF scores serve two purposes. First, they summarize your mental health status. Mental health conditions can vary wildly from person to person; two people with identical diagnoses may have significant differences in severity. A GAF score succinctly describes the severity of your mental health conditions at the time of evaluation in a manner that can be easily understood.
Second, GAF scores provide a snapshot of your condition in time. Your psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider will often give you a GAF score each time you have an appointment. If this is done over several visits or more, your mental health can be examined to see if it is increasing or decreasing in severity due to things like medication changes, outside circumstances, or other forces. This can be helpful to your claim by showing Social Security that your mental health problems are severe, and have persisted despite attempts at treatment.
As it is with many other aspects of the Social Security process, explaining the significance of GAF scores to Social Security can be complex and difficult. Having the assistance of an experienced advocate like the attorneys at Greeman Toomey can help develop the record and, consequently, your claim. Contact us at 1-877-332-3252 or at www.greemantoomey.com today.
