A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (VA DBQ) is a form that helps a VA healthcare provider or a private physician during an Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to record information that is used in the claims process, to rate the conditions they are trying to obtain VA disability benefits for.
The VA states that these forms are a way to help expedite the process of collecting medical evidence for your claims.
There are over 70 DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaires) VA form available for varying conditions.
What is the significance of a DBQ?
The primary role of a DBQ is to help physicians accurately rate a veteran’s disability diagnosis during their C&P exam, a portion of the VA claims process.
Your disability rating (measured 0-100%) determines how much compensation and the types of benefits you may be eligible to receive.
The objective is to obtain a high rating that covers the full-extent of your disability or condition.
Some of the things a DBQ VA form helps accurately describe include:
- A diagnosis of the condition you have.
- The past and current medications the veteran is currently on, in relation to the condition.
- Test findings, signs and symptoms.
- The day-to-day impact of the condition on the veteran.
Another important part of VA DBQ’s, is that they help meet the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities requirements, which varies between conditions.
As mentioned above, there are 70 different DBQ forms. Some of them are specific to one condition, while others are more general.
How do I use a DBQ form?
Before you visit a private healthcare provider, who you intend to complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, you’ll want to obtain the form(s) you need.
The doctor will review and complete the DBQ, you’ll keep a copy for yourself after reviewing it, and submit the completed form to the VA for your VA claim file .
If you are looking for specific forms, you can find all of the latest versions on VA’s website.
Available VA DBQs
The VA categorizes the DBQs primarily by Body system and organ system, as seen below.
- Cardiovascular DBQs
- Dental and Oral DBQs
- Dermatological DBQs
- Endocrinological DBQs
- ENT DBQs
- Gastrointestinal DBQs
- Genitourinary DBQs
- Gynecological DBQs
- Hematologic and Lymphatic DBQs
- Infectious Diseases DBQs
- Musculoskeletal DBQs
- Neurological DBQs
- Nutrition DBQs
- Ophthalmological DBQs
- Psychological DBQs
- Respiratory DBQs
- Rheumatological DBQs
Who is allowed to fill our a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ)?
While VA healthcare professionals are the most optimal person to fill out these forms, private physicians are also allowed to fill out the forms, utilizing Public DBQs (provided above).
If these are completed by primary care physicians outside of the VA, they can be submitted as additional evidence for your claims file or appeal.
Remember: Even if you have a private healthcare provider fill out a DBQ on your behalf, you will also likely have an additional one completed at your C&P exam.
What if my VA healthcare provider doesn’t fill out a DBQ for me at my C&P?
Sometimes a physician may not use a DBQ, if they feel like the notes and exam findings are enough evidence and cover enough to rate your conditions accurately.
They may also choose to skip certain sections or questions within a DBQ form, which can be exhaustive at times.
C&P examiners will always fill out a DBQ form.
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