The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) relies on Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) forms to evaluate veterans' disability claims efficiently and accurately. Tailored to various conditions, these forms streamline medical evidence collection, facilitating quicker decisions on disability compensation. Health professionals or veterans themselves can complete DBQs, covering conditions from mental health disorders to orthopedic issues. This process ensures veterans receive the benefits corresponding to their disability's severity.
DBQ forms can be filled out by VA physicians, private health care providers, or by the veterans themselves in some cases. They cover a wide range of physical and mental conditions, including but not limited to orthopedic conditions, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular conditions, mental health disorders, and more. The purpose of these forms is to streamline the process of collecting medical evidence, thereby speeding up the claims process for disability compensation and ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they are entitled to based on the severity of their conditions.
Below you can find the most up-to-date DBQ forms.
If you are not satisfied with the decision on your claim(s), contact us immediately to appeal and protect your rights!
Spina Bifida(natural child of a Veteran exposed to herbicides)
Aid and Attendance or Housebound
FAQs
If the Veteran themselves is a physician or other health care provider with relevant expertise, they can complete their own DBQ.
Do VA doctors fill out DBQ? ›
Yes, a doctor can fill out a DBQ for a veteran.
Are VA DBQ forms discontinued? ›
The Department of Veterans Affairs official site states that the VA has discontinued the use of DBQs, saying these forms originally “were designed to assist veterans living overseas to obtain medical evidence in support of their benefit claims where limited options were available.”
Does a C&P examiner fill out DBQ? ›
So the examiner will often use the appropriate DBQ as they are examining the veteran. So for example, there are DBQs that are for very specific conditions, something like hypertension.
How many documents should I use in my DBQ? ›
The DBQ requires use of 4 documents, and the LEQ requires as much evidence as it takes (likely 3-4 specific pieces of evidence). You will earn only 1 point if you use fewer than 4 documents or if you simply state evidence and do not explain how it supports your argument.
What not to say at a VA exam? ›
What not to say at a C&P Exam? Under no circ*mstances should you lie or stretch the truth (also called malingering) when it comes to your VA disability claim. At your C&P exam, you should be appearing as you do on a normal day.
How to answer VA DBQ questions? ›
The answer should address only the functional limitations caused by the condition at issue, regardless of any limitations caused by any other medical conditions. Providing one or more examples in the Veteran's own words will help the VA more fully understand the Veteran's condition.
Can a VA doctor increase my disability rating? ›
This can be from either the VA doctor or a private doctor. You can file your increase request on VA.GOV or by filling out a VA Form 21-526b. If you have medical information from a private doctor, you must submit a VA Form 21-4142, which authorizes that doctor to share information with the VA.
What is the 10 year rule for VA? ›
VA's 10-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cannot terminate service connection for a disability that has been in place for at least 10 years unless there was evidence of fraud at the time of the grant.
Is VA disability going away in 2024? ›
Under that phaseout, veterans whose gross household income was $170,000 or higher in calendar year 2023 and who would have received the average annual payment would no longer receive any disability compensation from VA in calendar year 2024.
Citing abuse of the system, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has removed Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) from its public websites. DBQs are standardized forms used by clinicians performing disability examinations (also known as Compensation & Pension exams, or C&P exams).
What is the 70-40 rule for VA disability? ›
The VA 70/40 rule for TDIU requires veterans to have a combined disability rating of 70% or higher and at least one service-related disability rated at 40% or higher to be eligible for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits.
Can I fill out my own Dbq VA? ›
An advantage of a DBQ is that it can be filled out by your own personal physician if you'd rather not see a VA doctor for a C&P exam. Most often, DBQs are used to rate your condition in your initial claim or evaluate how much your service-related condition has deteriorated if you're filing for increased compensation.
What is the most common 100% VA disability? ›
What is the most common 100% VA disability? The most common VA disability claims are awards for Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, PTSD, Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain, Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve, Scars (General) and Limited Range of Motion for the Knee and Ankle.
Can I write my own Nexus letter? ›
Your nexus letter must be written by a medical expert. This is in contrast to other types of testimony that can help a claim or appeal, like a buddy letter, which can be written by anyone who knows you and has observed you over some period of time.
How do you complete a DBQ? ›
The DBQ process has four steps:
- Access the appropriate form online.
- Have your healthcare provider (VA or private) complete and sign the form.
- Save a copy for your records.
- Submit the DBQ to the VA either by fax or mail.
The Department of Veterans Affairs encourages all Veterans to submit their private medical records for consideration during the processing of their benefits claim. VA values evidence from your private treatment providers because they are familiar with your medical history, often over a long period of time.
Who can write a DBQ? ›
There are currently 69 different DBQs, but you only have to have a doctor submit one for each type of disability that you have.
