A GAF score, short for Global Assessment of Functioning score, is a numerical scale that was once widely used to describe how a mental health condition affects a person’s ability to function in daily life. For veterans pursuing VA disability benefits, GAF scores can still matter, even though they are no longer used in newer medical manuals. The Department of Veterans Affairs may consider older GAF scores as part of the overall medical record when evaluating the severity of service-connected mental health conditions.

For many veterans, especially those with long treatment histories, GAF scores appear throughout years of medical records. Understanding what those numbers mean, how the VA views them today, and how they fit into a disability claim can help veterans better understand how their mental health is evaluated and why certain benefit decisions are made.

What is a GAF Score?

A GAF score is a numerical rating intended to reflect a person’s overall psychological, social, and occupational functioning at a given point in time. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating more severe impairment. Mental health providers historically used GAF scores to summarize the extent to which a condition affected daily life, including work, relationships, and self-care.

Although the GAF scale was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013, it remains relevant in many VA disability cases. Veterans who received treatment before that change often have GAF scores documented throughout their VA or private medical records. Those scores do not disappear simply because diagnostic standards have evolved.

The Law Office of Daniel Martin frequently works with veterans in Tennessee whose claims include GAF scores from earlier years of treatment. In these cases, the VA may still review those scores alongside newer medical evidence to assess how a condition has progressed over time and how severely it affects functioning.

Key points about GAF scores include:

  • They reflect overall functioning, not a specific diagnosis
  • Lower scores suggest more serious impairment
  • They capture functioning at a specific moment, not permanently
  • They are often found in older VA and private treatment records

For example, a veteran receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in 2010 may have been assigned a GAF score of 45 during a period of severe symptoms. That score can still provide context for how disabling the condition was at that time.

Understanding the GAF Scale

The GAF scale is divided into ranges that describe different levels of functioning. Each range corresponds to general descriptions rather than precise measurements, which is one reason the scale was eventually phased out. Still, understanding these ranges can help veterans interpret their medical records.

Common GAF Score Ranges and Their Meaning

While individual clinicians varied in how they applied the scale, the ranges were generally understood as follows:

  • 91–100: Superior functioning with no symptoms
  • 71–80: Mild symptoms or slight difficulty in functioning
  • 51–60: Moderate symptoms or difficulty in social or work settings
  • 41–50: Serious symptoms or serious impairment in functioning
  • 31–40: Major impairment in several areas, such as work or family
  • 21–30: Behavior significantly influenced by mental illness
  • 1–20: Severe impairment with possible danger to self or others

A veteran with a GAF score in the 40s might struggle to maintain employment or relationships, while someone with a score in the 30s may be unable to function independently. These descriptions help explain why GAF scores can still influence how disability severity is viewed.

However, it is important to remember that GAF scores were subjective. Two providers could assign different scores based on the same symptoms. This subjectivity is one reason the VA no longer relies on GAF scores alone when evaluating claims.

How the VA Evaluates and Uses GAF Scores

The VA does not assign disability ratings based solely on GAF scores. Instead, the VA evaluates the totality of evidence, including medical records, examination findings, and functional limitations. GAF scores, when present, are treated as one piece of that broader picture.

The VA has acknowledged that GAF scores have limitations, particularly because they combine symptom severity and functional impairment into a single number. As a result, the VA places greater weight on detailed descriptions of how symptoms affect daily life, work, and social functioning.

That said, older GAF scores can still support a claim, especially when they align with other evidence. For instance, a consistently low GAF score over several years may reinforce medical opinions describing severe and ongoing impairment.

The VA’s approach to mental health evaluations is outlined in its rating schedule, which focuses on occupational and social impairment rather than numerical scores. 

Can a GAF Score Affect the Outcome of a VA Disability Claim?

A GAF score can influence a VA disability claim, but rarely on its own. Its impact depends on how well it aligns with the rest of the medical evidence. When a GAF score supports documented limitations in work, relationships, or daily activities, it can strengthen a claim.

For example, say a Tennessee veteran applies for VA disability benefits for service-connected depression. Their medical records include several GAF scores in the mid-40s over a five-year period, along with notes describing frequent panic, social withdrawal, and inability to maintain employment. Although the VA no longer uses GAF scores as a primary metric, they help illustrate the severity and persistence of the condition.

On the other hand, a single low GAF score without supporting documentation may carry less weight. The VA often looks for consistency across treatment notes, examination findings, and personal statements.

How GAF Scores Fit into Appeals and Older Claims

GAF scores are often most relevant in appeals or claims involving older medical evidence. Veterans who filed claims years ago or are appealing decisions based on earlier records frequently encounter GAF scores in their files.

In these situations, GAF scores can help establish the severity of a condition at a specific point in time, which may affect retroactive benefits. Demonstrating that a condition met higher rating criteria in the past can lead to increased back pay if the evidence supports it.

Tennessee veterans should also be aware that state law can influence access to medical records used in VA claims. For example, Tennessee Code Annotated § 33-7-301 addresses patient access to mental health records, which can be relevant when gathering historical documentation for a disability claim. Ensuring complete records are obtained is often essential when GAF scores are part of the evidence.

What Should Veterans Do if Their Records Include GAF Scores?

Veterans should not ignore GAF scores simply because they are no longer used in modern diagnostics. Instead, those scores should be understood in context and supported with additional evidence.

Helpful steps may include:

  • Reviewing medical records for consistency between GAF scores and treatment notes
  • Providing personal statements describing daily limitations
  • Submitting updated medical opinions that explain ongoing impairment
  • Clarifying how symptoms affect work and relationships

Veterans pursuing VA disability benefits in Tennessee often benefit from understanding how older evidence fits into current evaluation standards. 

Frequently Asked Questions About GAF Scores and VA Disability

Does the VA still use GAF scores to assign ratings?

No. The VA no longer assigns ratings based solely on GAF scores, but it may still consider them as part of the medical history.

Can a low GAF score guarantee higher benefits?

No. A GAF score is only one factor. The VA focuses on functional impairment and how symptoms affect daily life and work.

Are newer medical evaluations more important than older GAF scores?

Generally, yes. Current severity matters most, but older scores can help establish long-term patterns and past impairment.

Should I submit records with GAF scores if I have them?

Yes. Older records can still be relevant, especially in appeals or claims involving earlier periods of disability.

Moving Forward With Clarity and Resolve

Mental health conditions do not exist in neat categories or tidy numbers. For many veterans, GAF scores reflect moments of profound struggle and periods when simply getting through the day felt overwhelming. Seeing those scores in a file can reopen memories of hardship, frustration, and uncertainty.

The Law Office of Daniel Martin understands that VA disability claims are not just about paperwork or ratings. They are about recognition, stability, and the ability to move forward with dignity. While a GAF score alone does not define a claim, it can help tell the story of what a veteran has endured. With the right perspective and careful presentation of the evidence, that story can still be heard clearly, fully, and with the seriousness it deserves.