Opinion ID: 2778513
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Consideration of GAF Scores

Text: Thornton next argues that the ALJ erred by failing to evaluate one of her GAF scores from May 2006 in formulating her RFC and by observing that there is “no correlation” between GAF scores and a finding of disability. The RFC is an assessment of the extent to which a claimant’s impairments may affect her capacity to work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545 (a)(5), 416.945(a)(5). The RFC evaluation is used in the fourth and fifth steps of the sequential process to determine whether the claimant can perform past work and, if not, whether the claimant can perform other work in the national economy. Id. While the RFC assessment “must be based on all of the relevant evidence in the case record,” SSR 96-8p at , GAF scores are 17 Case: 13-15165 Date Filed: 02/11/2015 Page: 18 of 23 not sufficiently pertinent to the ability of an individual to work to require an ALJ to list every GAF score that appears in the medical records. The relevant inquiry is whether there is substantial evidence to support the Commissioner’s finding. A GAF score is a subjective determination that represents “the clinician’s judgment of the individual’s overall level of functioning.” Am. Psychiatric Ass’n, supra, at 32. The GAF scale accounts for psychological, social, and occupational limitations, but not environmental or physical impairments. Id. GAF scores between 41 and 50 indicate serious symptoms. Id. at 34. The Commissioner has concluded, however, that the GAF scale “does not have a direct correlation to the severity requirements in [the] mental disorders listings.” Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Mental Disorders and Traumatic Brain Injury, 65 Fed. Reg. 50746, 50764–65 (Aug. 21, 2000). As the Sixth Circuit has observed, GAF scores may be helpful in formulating a claimant’s RFC, but are not essential to the RFC’s accuracy, and an ALJ’s failure to describe GAF scores does not render the ALJ’s RFC assessment inaccurate. Howard v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 276 F.3d 235, 241 (6th Cir. 2002). Similarly, the Eighth Circuit has recognized that a GAF score may have little or no bearing on a claimant’s social and occupational functioning. Jones v. Astrue, 619 F.3d 963, 973 (8th Cir. 2010). Here, the ALJ’s decision was supported by substantial evidence even though the ALJ did not refer to each of Thornton’s GAF scores. 18 Case: 13-15165 Date Filed: 02/11/2015 Page: 19 of 23 In a footnote, the ALJ explained that a GAF score does not necessarily reflect a person’s ability to work and, citing the Federal Register, added that there is “no correlation” between GAF score and a disability. The section of the Federal Register provides: “[The GAF Scale] does not have a direct correlation to the severity requirements in [the SSA’s] mental disorders listings.” 65 Fed. Reg. 50746, 50764–65. Although the ALJ’s description of the passage in the Federal Register was an overstatement, that overstatement does not require either a reversal or a remand. See Diorio v. Heckler, 721 F.2d 726, 728 (11th Cir. 1983) (applying the harmless error doctrine to a Social Security appeal). The ALJ correctly noted that the GAF scores do not necessarily reflect a person’s ability to do work. Additionally, the ALJ’s decision reflects that he did consider with care the various medical providers’ evaluations and discussions of Thornton’s symptoms and limitations. Therefore, the ALJ did not err in failing to discuss all of Thornton’s GAF scores, and the RFC assessment is supported by substantial evidence.