“Today, we’re going to talk about DBQs and how to best use those to benefit your claims. I’m Melissa Alexander, a VA-accredited attorney with Woods and Woods, a VA disability law firm.”
What are DBQs?
“A DBQ, and that’s Delta Bravo, Quebec, stands for ‘public disability benefits questionnaire.’ DBQs are VA forms that doctors or medical providers use to collect information they need to process a veteran’s claim. However, it’s not just a form for the VA to use. This is actually a public form that private healthcare providers can fill out.
“DBQs are additional evidence that can be provided to support your claim. There are about 70 different forms to use based on the veteran’s condition, symptoms, or diagnosis. DBQs are important because if the VA grants service connection, this is usually the main piece of evidence the VA uses to determine a veteran’s disability rating based on the symptoms and impairments noted on the DBQ.
“The forms typically include sections for the medical providers to discuss the veteran’s diagnosis, the veteran’s medical history, the veteran’s symptoms, and how a veteran’s disability has progressed since it began. It includes past and current medications. It can include the methods used to treat the disability, such as physical therapy. There’s also a place for the examiner to provide statements about how this disability affects or impacts the veteran’s overall health and ability to live a normal life.”
What should veterans know about DBQs?
“C&P exams are performed by medical providers that work for the VA or are contracted by the VA. These providers use those DBQ forms during the C&P exams to guide the process.
“A veteran will want their DBQ to be as accurate and thorough as possible. We want as many details about their disability. We want it to represent the full extent of the disability. This is because the DBQ helps determine the veteran’s rating and ultimately what a veteran gets paid.
“Sometimes when you go and report to your C&P exam, maybe your disability, whatever it is, if it’s your knee, maybe it’s not hurting you as bad. Maybe you suffer a lot of flare-ups and you’re just not having a flare-up that day. It’s important to describe to that examiner what it’s like and what you experience when you have those flare-ups.”
Who should fill out a DBQ?
“Unfortunately, VA examiners often rush through C&P exams. Sometimes, the exams occur without the veteran present, and the examiners fill out the DBQs based on the treatment records and the veteran’s C-file. So, having a private physician complete a DBQ can fill in any gaps.
“Around 2021, the VA approved the public use of DBQs. Before that, only the VA or VA contracted providers could complete these forms. But today, any medical provider, including a veteran’s primary care physician, can fill these out. It’s probably best that a medical provider fills it out rather than, say, a nurse practitioner, because the VA may find that the information provided is more valuable if by an M.D.
“Now, a veteran’s primary care physician likely knows the veteran’s conditions the best. They have a complete knowledge of the veteran’s medical history and background, and a veteran also probably feels more comfortable talking to their own private physician. So, it’s a great idea to have them fill those out.
“In the top portion of the DBQ, there’s a section that lists the criteria required for a medical provider to be able to fill those out, and for it to be accepted. If it’s an area specialty such as cancer or mental health, the DBQ should be completed by a medical provider who’s qualified in that area.
“It’s also important that when you take these to get filled out, you make sure that the medical provider signs, dates, and includes their licensing information because the VA will or can check to verify this accuracy.
“I want to point out that it’s not required for a veteran to go out and get their own DBQ. But it’s just great additional information or evidence that you can provide to support your claim. Sometimes, if you have a physician fill it out for you and you submit this, you also may be required to attend a C&P exam. Sometimes the VA just requires that, and you need to make sure you go to those.
“It’s also important to know that if a private provider is completing the form, the VA is not going to reimburse the veteran for any expenses they incurred when getting these forms filled out.
“When Woods and Woods takes a case, we initially pay to obtain a DBQ, or medical opinion to support a veteran’s case. If we don’t win a client’s case, then the client does not owe us anything. If we do win, we collect those expenses on top of the percentage of back pay.”
“The firm got me to 70%, and I was happy. Individual unemployability was awarded to me and to this day, I’m so grateful. My future is no longer bleak. These people work very hard for you.“
Where can you find DBQs?
“DBQ forms can be found online and from our Woods and Woods website. Sometimes finding the current forms online can be hard to do because the VA updates the forms periodically and it is possible that they will not accept an out-of-date form. So, it’s important for a veteran to make sure they check our link at Woods and Woods for an up-to-date, downloadable form before they take it to their physician to get it filled out.
“If you have more questions about VA benefits in general, watch some of the other videos on our YouTube channel. If you’re wondering if you qualify for 100% or TDIU, contact Woods and Woods for a free consultation.”
