What is a VA DBQ Questionnaire?
Securing and managing your VA disability benefits can sometimes feel like drowning in a sea of paperwork. The unfamiliar terminology and reference to various form numbers can be further confusing.
The best way to navigate the VA disability claim process is with the help of an experienced disability benefits advocate. At Disabled Vets, we’ve worked hard to build knowledge of and experience with the VA disability claims and appeals processes so you don’t have to. Still, a basic understanding of the terms being thrown at you and what you’re being asked for can go a long way toward dialing down the stress associated with pursuing VA disability benefits.
Here’s what you need to know about the VA DBQ questionnaire.
What is the DBQ Questionnaire For?
DBQ questionnaires help gather medical evidence for a VA disability claim. VA doctors use these forms when they’re conducting a C&P exam, but they aren’t the only ones who can complete the questionnaires. You can download the appropriate form from the VA.gov website and have your treating physician or physicians complete them. While this generally isn’t required, having your doctor use the DBQ questionnaire helps ensure that they are providing all of the information the VA will be looking for to evaluate your disability claim.
That’s very important because the medical information you provide, along with any testing or examination the VA requests, generally determines your VA disability rating. Your disability rating determines what types of benefits you are eligible for and the amount of your monthly monetary benefit.
How Disability Rating Impacts Your Benefits
We won’t walk through the whole breakdown of VA disability benefits by disability rating here, but here are some key points to illustrate the importance of that rating:
- In 2025, base monthly monetary benefits range from $175.51 (10% disability rating) to $3,831.30 (100% disability rating)
- A veteran with a 100% disability rating receives $1,533.34/month more in benefits than a veteran with a 90% disability rating
- Veterans with a VA disability rating of 30% or higher can have their monthly monetary benefit increased for eligible dependents, but those below a 30% rating cannot
- Veterans rated 50% disabled or more receive broad healthcare services from the VA, while those with lower ratings are only entitled to healthcare services for their service-connected condition
- Dependents of veterans with permanent 100% disability ratings or permanent TDIU classification may receive direct educational and healthcare benefits, while the dependents of other disabled veterans do not
As you can see, providing all of the information necessary to receive the maximum disability rating you qualify for can make a significant difference in the benefits you receive and your quality of life.
Know Which DBQ Questionnaire You Need
You’ve probably heard reference to “the DBQ questionnaire,” but in fact there are quite a few different DBQs. Some are geared toward a particular category of illness or medical condition. Some are specific to one illness or condition. And others are used more broadly for a certain circumstance, such as on separation from the military. Most–but not all–of these questionnaires are available for your physician’s use.
There are category-specific DBQ questionnaires for people applying for VA disability benefits for:
- Dental/oral
- Eye disorders
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Artery/vein conditions
- Heart conditions
- Skin diseases
- Endocrine disorders
- Thyroid/parathyroid disorders
- Ear problems
- Conditions of the nose, throat, larynx and pharynx
- Esophageal conditions
- Gallbladder and pancreas conditions
- Liver conditions
- Rectum and anus conditions
- Stomach/duodenum issues
- Kidney conditions
- Disorders of the male reproductive organs
- Urinary tract conditions
- Gynecological conditions
- Breast issues
- Hematologic and lymphatic conditions
- Infectious diseases
- Persian Gulf/Afghanistan infectious diseases
- Ankle conditions
- Back problems
- Bone and other skeletal conditions
- Problems with the elbow and forearm
- Foot conditions
- Finger/hand conditions
- Hip/thigh problems
- Knee/lower leg issues
- Neck problems
- Shoulder and/or arm problems
- Temporomandibular disorders
- Central nervous system and neuromuscular diseases
- Eating disorders
- Mental disorders
- Respiratory conditions
- Wrist problems
- Autoimmune conditions
There are condition-specific DBQs for:
- Hypertension
- Scars
- Diabetes mellitus
- Loss of sense of smell and/or taste
- Hernias
- Intestinal infections diseases
- Intestinal surgical issues
- Peritoneal adhesions
- HIV-related illness
- Tuberculosis
- Amputations
- Muscle injuries
- Osteomyelitis
- ALS
- Cranial nerve conditions
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches/migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Narcolepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral nerve disorders
- Seizure disorders
- PTSD
- Sleep apnea
- Arthritis
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Spina bifida
You may have noticed that some of the condition-specific DBQs fall within broader categories that also have their own DBQs. Generally, in that situation, the more specific questionnaire is appropriate. For example, the DBQ for endocrine disorders specifically says “other than thyroid, parathyroid, and diabetes mellitus.” That’s because each of those conditions has its own DBQ.
There are also DBQs that are used internally, but are not available for use by outside physicians. These include:
- Cold Injury Residuals
- Former POW Protocol
- General Medical – Compensation
- General Medical – Pension
- Gulf War General Medical Examination
- Medical Opinion
- Separation Health Assessment – Part B
- Initial Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
- Initial Evaluation of Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury
- Review Evaluation of Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury
The reasons these DBQs are not available to your personal physician vary, but typically are based on federal regulations or on specialized training being required to complete the assessment.
VA Disability Claims Can Be Complicated
As you can see, there’s a lot to sort out in determining whether you need your physician to complete a DBQ and which form they should use. That’s just one of a great many moving pieces in the VA disability claims and appeals processes.
Whether you are just filing a claim, appealing a denial, or seeking an increase in your VA disability rating, an experienced disability benefits advocate can be your best resource. The VA disability benefits advocates at Disabled Vets have the knowledge and experience necessary to guide you through the process and ensure that the VA has the information it needs to assign you the highest appropriate disability rating.
To learn more about how we can help, call 888-373-4722 or fill out our contact form here.
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