Does a IQ score of 58, which is mental retardation territory, and GAF score of 45-50 meet a listing? Could they fall back on the excuse, well, you didn't try hard enough on your test?

Have you asked your psych doc his or her opinion about the accuracy of those results?

The listing impairment stresses a "valid" score. So, no, you will not meet the listed impairment without being retested, or have an earlier test in the same range.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...ders-Adult.htm

"6. Intelligence tests.

a. The results of standardized intelligence tests may provide data that help verify the presence of intellectual disability or organic mental disorder, as well as the extent of any compromise in cognitive functioning. However, since the results of intelligence tests are only part of the overall assessment, the narrative report that accompanies the test results should comment on whether the IQ scores are considered valid and consistent with the developmental history and the degree of functional limitation."



"12.05 Intellectual disability: intellectual disability refers to significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning with deficits in adaptive functioning initially manifested during the developmental period; i.e., the evidence demonstrates or supports onset of the impairment before age 22.

The required level of severity for this disorder is met when the requirements in A, B, C, or D are satisfied.

A. Mental incapacity evidenced by dependence upon others for personal needs (e.g., toileting, eating, dressing, or bathing) and inability to follow directions, such that the use of standardized measures of intellectual functioning is precluded;

OR

B. A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 59 or less;

OR

C. A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 60 through 70 and a physical or other mental impairment imposing an additional and significant work-related limitation of function;

OR

D. A valid verbal, performance, or full scale IQ of 60 through 70, resulting in at least two of the following:

1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or

2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or

3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or

4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration."

I am not a psychologist, but my non-medical opinion is that a person is either born with a cognitive disorder (I think the current preferred term is intellectual disability although I think mental retardation is actually more apt) which would be manifested in daily living deficits and poor performance in school at least before puberty. So if this is the first IQ score of 58 and the test was done when someone was in their 30's, 40's, 50's or later, and there is no evidence of brain damage, that it could be that you didn't try hard enough on your test. But a good test includes ways of finding that out.

I talked to a couple one time. The wife did all the talking. Said her husband had the mind of a child and he had always been like that. Said he wet the bed. I asked why did she marry him and why did she sleep in the same bed. She said you can't help who you fall in love with. Watched them walk to the parking lot and this man with a mind of a child got behind the steering wheel and drove away with her in the passenger seat. He probably also had an IQ test that scored under 58 but he was denied.

Ray,

If you filled out your own forms for SS, and wrote at the same level that you do here on NT, I think an ALJ will have a hard time reconciling that your IQ is in that range, especially with the ME questioning your effort--this is of course just my non-expert opinion.

And this doesn't mean that I think you should be denied based upon your combination of other impairments.

If something has caused a decrease in your cognitive function in the past few years, your psych doc should be able to diagnose the problem or send you to someone that can.

If low IQ has been an issue since childhood, were you in special education classes while in school? If you could obtain records of that, it would help confirm that your test results were valid. Or perhaps there might be some notations in your employment file if special accommodations were ever made?

What's NT?

You have to remember, these tests don't involve how you articulate, but can you remember this that or the other thing

If your decrease in memory is recent it might not help you meet a Listed Impairment because you need to prove the issue existed at the time of your Alleged Onset Date.

BUT, if you are able to document that there is a serious problem with your memory (or other cognitive issues) it would clear up the issue of your credibility! And even more importantly, with a correct diagnosis, your doctor might be able to prescribe medication and or therapy to stop the decline of your memory in the future.

Have you had a CT scan or MRI? Have you undergone a neurological exam?

http://www.healthcommunities.com/mem...iagnosis.shtml

"Diagnosis also may involve a more complicated mental status exam performed by a neuropsychologist (psychologist who specializes in the study of brain behavior relationships). These exams are standardized—they are administered to each patient the same way so that comparisons can be made among a larger group of people. For example, a 74-year-old patient's results can be compared to those of other 74-year-olds with similar educational backgrounds. This helps the physician determine if the degree of cognitive decline is within normal limits. Other types of psychological testing can provide information about changes in personality, mood, language, attention, and perception."

NT is short for NeuroTalk.