If you’re filing a VA disability claim or seeking an increase in your current rating, you’ve likely heard about Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs). These forms play a powerful role in helping the VA evaluate your condition and determine your eligibility for compensation. In fact, many people consider them to be the most important document that a VA reviewer considers.
But hearing about a DBQ and understanding how to submit a quality one are two different things. Have you ever wondered: Who should fill out my DBQ? How do I make sure it gives my claim the best chance for approval? Or who can help me with my VA disability claim DBQ? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog, you’ll get a clear breakdown of how DBQs work and how you can get a completed DBQ that best supports your VA disability claim.
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What Is a DBQ?
A Disability Benefits Questionnaire is a standardized VA form used to document medical information about a veteran’s condition. The goal is to gather key data in a format that’s familiar to VA raters, so they can quickly and accurately assess the severity of your condition according to the VA’s rating criteria.
DBQs can be filled out by a private physician, or they can be completed by a VA doctor during the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam.
There are more than 70 different DBQ forms, each corresponding to a different condition. This includes PTSD, migraines, back pain, sleep apnea, and dozens of other common issues. Each DBQ includes a checklist of symptoms, diagnostic details, and functional limitations mapped directly to how the VA evaluates disability ratings.
How Do DBQs Help the VA Rate Your Condition
Think of a DBQ as a way to speak the VA’s language. It gives the VA exactly what it needs in a streamlined format that matches its internal evaluation system.
Here’s why a DBQ is so useful to the VA:
- It translates your condition into VA rating terms: For example, if you’re claiming knee pain, the DBQ will ask your doctor to include range-of-motion measurements and note if you use assistive devices—both crucial factors in determining your rating.
- It reduces ambiguity: With a DBQ to guide their efforts, VA raters are less likely to overlook or misinterpret general medical documentation. A completed DBQ eliminates guesswork.
- It speeds up the review process: With hundreds of thousands of claims to review in any given year, the VA benefits from anything that can shorten the review process. The DBQ accomplishes this. It provides a more complete picture of your condition up front, which may reduce the need for further clarification or additional exams.
When the VA gets a clear, symptom-based DBQ as part of your claim, they will have an easier time connecting the dots and making a fair decision.
Who Can Fill Out a DBQ?
In the past, the VA restricted DBQ use to its own physicians, and the DBQ was often completed during C&P exams. But since March 2021, the VA has made most DBQs available for public use, meaning your private doctor or specialist can now fill one out.
Having your private doctor fill out your DBQ can he a major benefit for a few reasons:
- They likely know your history better than a VA examiner who is seeing you for the first time.
- They may be willing to spend more time with you than a VA examiner, who is working through a long list of veterans needing examinations.
- If your VA examiner is backed up, it may take a while to schedule your appointment, resulting in delays to your claim. It may be faster to get an appointment with your private doctor.
Make sure that whoever fills out the form is a licensed medical professional. And the more familiar they are with VA ratings and DBQ structure, the better. A sloppy or incomplete DBQ won’t help your claim and may even delay your decision.
If you decide to have your private provider fill out the form, let them know that this is an important step in helping you get reimbursement for costs associated with your service-related condition. You can also present them with the VA schedule of ratings related to your particular condition so that they know how to match up your symptoms with those described in the schedule. You can support this with lay statements (like a well-written personal statement), explaining how your daily symptoms line up with the rating criteria.
We recommend that the form be completed by a medical doctor when possible, as the VA tends to favor input from medical doctors vs. nurse practitioners or physician assistants. It’s also a good idea to get your form filled out by a provider who specializes in treating your specific condition. For example, if you are seeking a rating increase for depression, it could benefit your case to have your DBQ filled out by a psychiatrist.
How to Get Your DBQ Filled Out Effectively
To make the most of a DBQ in your claim, you need to be strategic. Here’s how:
- Choose the right DBQ for your condition: You can download condition-specific DBQs directly from the VA’s website.1 If you have multiple service-connected issues, submit a DBQ for each.
- Bring supporting medical records: When you meet with your doctor to complete the form, bring lab results, diagnostic imaging, or treatment summaries to help them fill it out accurately. If you work through a VA examiner, don’t assume that they have all of your records. They may be a contracted physician and may not be able to quickly access your complete record. The more records you can provide, the better.
- Make sure the doctor understands the VA rating schedule: The VA is going to compare your DBQ against the rating schedule,2 so make sure to bring the appropriate section of the schedule to the physician’s attention. Then, you can explain the ways your condition matches up with the rating criteria. One of the best ways to do this is by writing a really good personal statement in advance and reading it to your doctor at your exam. Talk to a veteran benefits advocate for templates that will help you write personal statements that directly address what the VA needs to hear.
- Make sure everything is complete: Every section should be filled out completely. If a question doesn’t apply, the doctor should explain why rather than leaving it blank. Missing information can lead to delays or the need for a follow-up C&P exam.
- Attach the DBQ to your claim: Once it’s complete, upload the form with your claim submission on VA.gov.
You want to present a complete, well-documented, and credible picture of your condition from the start. A DBQ is a big step in making that happen.
Do I Have to Submit a DBQ?
A DBQ is not required in order to submit a VA claim, but it can be very helpful in getting your claim approved. It allows a qualified physician to paint a clear picture of your disability and show how it aligns with the VA rating requirements. It can be especially helpful if written by a doctor who knows all the ins and outs of your case and is willing to communicate those details through the DBQ.
Sometimes, submitting your own DBQ can keep you from having to get a C&P exam from a VA doctor. Many veterans find that these exams can be rushed and impersonal and don’t always result in an accurate reflection of their condition. That said, a DBQ does not guarantee that you’re off the hook for one of these exams. The VA may still call you in for a C&P exam, even if you have a DBQ submitted by a private doctor.
Final Thoughts: Should You Submit a DBQ?
If you’re filing a VA claim or seeking a rating increase, submitting a Disability Benefits Questionnaire is one of the smartest moves you can make. It gives you a structured way to present your condition and ensures your claim speaks the same language the VA uses to assign ratings.
Take the time to find the right form, coordinate with your doctor, and ensure every section reflects the reality of your condition. With a well-prepared DBQ, you give yourself the best shot at a fair and accurate outcome—and move one step closer to securing the benefits you’ve earned.
1benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.asp
2https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4