Due to the rise of Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) scams, VA wants to ensure Veterans—including those who choose to have their private health care provider complete a DBQ—are appropriately equipped with the information they need to submit DBQs successfully.

A DBQ is a streamlined medical examination form designed to collect medical evidence relevant to a claim for benefits. DBQs allow Veterans to submit medical evidence from their health care provider to support their claims for disability benefits. Veterans are entitled to a no-cost disability examination by VA if an examination is deemed necessary to decide the claim for benefits.

VA wants Veterans to be aware of individuals and companies marketing the service of completing DBQs. Don’t be fooled by companies advertising they have a special relationship with medical professionals and can guarantee the Veteran a benefits award. When a Veteran uses for-profit DBQ companies, the fees may be costly.

VHA and VA’s Contract Examination vendors reduce claims processing time by increasing access to examinations. A VA Claims Processor determines whether a compensation & pension (C&P) exam is needed. If needed, the Claims Processor will identify if the C&P exam will be performed by a VHA Examiner or VA Contract Examiner.

Before attending an examination and/or having a medical professional complete a DBQ, VA encourages Veterans to become familiar with the guidance below:

  • VA values evidence from a Veteran’s private treatment provider(s) because they are familiar with the Veteran’s medical history, often over a long period of time.
  • VHA and VA Contract Examiners are trained to conduct C&P disability examinations and there are no costs or hidden fees involved.
  • A VA Claims Processor determines whether a C&P exam is needed. If needed, the Claims Processor will identify if the C&P exam will be performed by a VHA Examiner or Contract Examiner.
  • The use of VHA Examiners and VA Contract Examination Vendors reduces claims processing time by increasing access to examinations.
  • VA or a VA Contract Examiner will either mail a letter, email or call with appointment information. Prior to an exam, Veterans may contact VA or the VA Contract Examiner to confirm the exam date, time and location. If a scheduled exam date or time does not work, Veterans should immediately call the VA Medical Center or the number provided by the VA Contract Examiner.
  • If a Veteran has any questions concerning their C&P exam or needs to reschedule an appointment(s), they can contact VA directly at 1-800-827-1000; a trained representative is available to answer questions.

Items To Consider When Providing DBQs:

  • VA will not pay or reimburse any expenses or costs incurred in the process of completing and/or submitting DBQs completed by the Veteran’s health care provider. If Veterans choose to submit a DBQ from their non-VA treatment provider, VA may determine an additional disability examination may still be necessary to decide a benefits claim.
  • All clinician information blocks at the bottom of the DBQs must be completed, signed and dated by the clinician completing the DBQ. 

Resources

To ensure claimants have access to responsible and qualified representation on their VA benefits claims, accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), attorneys and agents are available to help file a claim. If you need support, visit our accredited representatives.

If a Veteran misses a VA benefits payment, identifies a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with their direct deposit account, they should contact VA immediately at 1-800-827-1000.

If a Veteran suspects they are a victim of fraud, they can visit the VA Office of Inspector General at www.vaoig.gov for more information. Veterans may also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. 

Topics in this story

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

62 Comments

  1. Neil Mutchler Ibarra July 30, 2024 at 12:15

    My claim was not examined properly from a mental health standpoint because I currently have all the factors which would be required for 70% easily and I think the reason it did not get increased is because my service person did not file a good claim on my behalf

  2. Thomas Hurt July 29, 2024 at 13:22

    I was contacted by Traject (not full name) to do the necessary work to file a disability claim. This article and the information it contains did not show up in my due diligence. Traject said the cost would be 1/2 of my benefit for 5 months. For my disability, I judged this cost high but I had low confidence of success on my own. I recorded the phone conversations with Trajec. During the process, the Trajec agent told me to create a VA account and give him the username and password. I created the account and when he asked for the username and password, I challenged him saying he would be using a Government website illegally by signing on as me. He pressed saying “everyone does it”. I responded I will not be party to an illegal operation. Later, he called back saying we can proceed without turning over my VA website credentials. At process completion, the price changed to 100% of my VA disability benefit for 5 months. I challenged him and told him I recorded the conversation where he stated the price as 1/2. I use disposable email addresses, so I simply deleted the email address I gave them. I then contacted the VA Inspector General Office telling them this company is breaking Federal law by tricking veterans into divulging federally protected data (the username and password). The IG did nothing. If Trajec does anything against me, I will be able to sue for damages and will likely bypass the VA and go to my county’s circuit court for the fraud part.

    I recommend that VA obtain from DoD the list of active duty military coming to the end of their enlistment or beginning the process of resigning their commission and send them the information in this article.

    I recommend a question be added to the DBQ requiring any agent acting as middleman to provide their contact information, their cost to the veteran, and sign the form.

    I also recommend the VA IG become involved in a way to both stop the fraud and prosecute the companies.

  3. al July 27, 2024 at 00:15

    I have my primary care doctor who will write a letter but has little time to fill out a DBQ. The VA need to understand that you only get 15 minutes with your doctor these days. If you’re lucky you may get a couple extra minutes. Considering that for treatment observations, there is little room for him to fill out questioners. A qualified letter should be just as acceptable as a DBQ form.

  4. Wayne Daavis July 26, 2024 at 22:13

    The third party examiners are basically nurse practitioners who deal in family practices and are inept and unqualified in making diagnosis with complicated issues such as neurology pulmonary conditions but yet the VBA allows them to do so creating many denial for the veterans. At this point ill immigrants are being treated better than the veterans.

  5. David July 26, 2024 at 14:01

    The private DBQs are fraud well over 90% of the time. It is very easy for a Rater to determine the authenticity of these and not accept them. They are never consistent with the treatment records because they will write you up for the highest percentage every time. There are some Raters that still will make decisions off of the inflated evaluations. However, the individual usually will end filing a claim for increase down the road and end up getting their compensation reduced when factually the condition is now worse than before, but it was over evaluated due to the fraud previously. OIG is currently addressing the rampant fraud and passing guidance to the rating staff. OIG is also currently working on a better format to submit these DBQs for fraud and flash your file for fraud. Have your private doctor or nurse complete the exam if you want, as long as it is complete it should be accepted. A lot of times they do not want to complete this paperwork because they are in the business of treating you, not the claims business. There are endless internet sites out there to provide you an examination, but it will likely not be accepted by most Raters which makes it a complete waste of cash. You can spend $1000 for one private examination for nothing. Occasionally, even the contractors and VAMC submit a poorly constructed DBQ that is not adequate for rating purposes. Raters are able to follow up with them and ask additional question to fix any discrepancies before making a decision. This will not happen with a private DBQ because they know it is total B.S. to begin with. The rating guidance in the M21-1 provides many ways to both accept the findings but also how to not accept the private exams. The private examiners will cite laws and regulations about how they have to accept these private DBQs, but that is to make sure they make you, the customer, will think that the VA is stuck with the results… but that is VERY far from the truth. My best advice, look online at the DBQs and know what questions will be addressed at examination so you have a well thought out answers prior to seeing contractor or VAMC. You can save your money and retain your integrity by forgetting about these private exams.

  6. Kyle July 24, 2024 at 22:55

    I don’t think any VA employed leadership reads these comments…. Or any comments regarding the actual opinion of veterans. There wouldn’t be any 3rd party companies to hire if the VA wasn’t actively denying claims. Before any gunho VA pro veterans hop in here and say that I’m wrong… just remember to look at the last decade of changes that the VA has been forced to do only after it has been escalated up to the House of Representatives. The VA was created to help support veterans that gave up everything for this country, and somewhere down the road it caught the same disease as the rest of these politically charged organizations with the only goal of securing more funding for the next fiscal year. I’m not saying the VA hasn’t helped veterans, I know it has, but if it was exactly what it should be, there wouldn’t be these vulture companies making a real good living off of veterans right now.

  7. William July 24, 2024 at 20:04

    I will never forgive VBA for the crooked griting process that gave Comp and Pen to contractors and now MHV wont work unless we let IDMe grift us.
    I will never forgive the injustice vba give.
    You xyz was not service connected.

  8. Thomas Hunt July 24, 2024 at 19:58

    After reading the comments, I have come to the conclusion their are a lot of sour grapes from Veterans who think they are owed disability compensation for illness and injuries that do not meet the strict requirements of The Pact Act or service related incidents that are not in their service medical records.

  9. Randy July 24, 2024 at 19:11

    Companies that charge for DBQ services may be worth the monies being charged. I went through an American Legion Service Officer and Veterans Service Officer to help with filing for the Burn Pit Rating. Once the paperwork was submitted, the VA handed my “Evaluation(s)” over to Optum Serve (a service contractor through the VA). Optum Serve scheduled my first evaluation and I completed that with no problems. The second evaluation, Optum Serve messed up the appointment date, so I had to reschedule to a different date and location. The first location was in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and I had moved back south 500 miles away. I explained this to several of Optum Serve representatives, all acknowledged the change, but scheduled me for an appointment 500 miles from where I requested to conduct the Pulmonary Function Test. This was the second cancellation, though no fault of my own, and Optum Serve sent my packet back to the VA. After multiple calls to Optum Serve and the VA; VA representative acknowledged what had happened and said he would rescheduled with Optum Serve. The new appointment was never scheduled. The VA wrote up my request and stated “individual refused to complete the necessary testing to complete the evaluation”, and that I was already compensated under my rating for COPD. This experience really shows how the VA system and especially Optum Serve are not the most user friendly organization(s). To me, it may be worth the extra “monies” to have someone work for the average Veteran, then to fight a bureaucrtic organization that doen’t have Veteran’s best interest as their first priority.

  10. Al July 18, 2024 at 10:42

    The only fraud and scams I’ve experienced are the clown and phony exams given by the VA.

    • Bill Cosby July 26, 2024 at 06:08

      here here!

  11. Jenifer July 17, 2024 at 21:51

    Well I have a rating of 70% and but got paid at 100% sue to unemployablity. 60% is for my spine and 30% was when I walkes into my apartment while being robbed and was stapped. They gave me axienty disorder bexause it cannot be PTSD bexause I was not in combat. The axienty disorder is also a lower rating. I have been getting the 100% rating for over 30 years and all my disablities have gotten so much worse especially my spine. I do not know if I want to risk trying to get the 100% permanently because I turned 63 year old and Republican want to drop Veteran and tell them to go there orginal rating and SS will make it up when they get to 62 years old. However they forget to tell you will no long get dental care, discount on state taxes on your home and car. If you are on unemployablity because you cannot work, you probably already on SSDI. Also SS can be taxed while VA is tax free. The other issue if you have been unemployed for over 10 years you have no SS because you have no credits. You got to have a qork history to get SS. I never worry about the Democrat but every time we get a Republican President this is on the chopping block. But every benefit that has been approved in the last 20 years have been under Democrats. I fact Republican would love to get rid of the VA healthcare syatem and just throw Veteran to rhe civilian sector. Well I have been going to the VA since the 80’s and they are just as good as the civilian doctor are. Also I do have a outside VA doctor and getting appointment take like 3 weeks and they have no walk in unless I want to pay big buck for the ER

    • Jason July 24, 2024 at 18:46

      Jenifer, I’m sorry to say that I think you really need to keep your misguided TDS, not PTSD, and politics off this site. Your experience is not the norm and vastly different than every veteran I know.

      Your spelling, grammar and sentence structure aside, your attacks aren’t helping veterans.

  12. EDWARD L .BUCHANNAN July 17, 2024 at 17:18

    I am currently at 100% disability rating. I new events regarding one of my previous rating and maybe a new. If I file on these new even and they awarded a new rating can I exceed 100% in rating and benefit. This to me is dry zone in the Claim system. Currently, there is nothing that I can find on this issue. Help

    • Thomas Hunt July 24, 2024 at 19:46

      No, 100% is the maximum payment unless you are enrolled in the VRE program for job training or have a wife with dependants.

  13. Timothy Pena July 17, 2024 at 12:29

    I had two other non-VA diagnosis very similar to the diagnosis (of PTSD) I received from the VA. Awarded 70% first time filing.

  14. John J. Christopher July 17, 2024 at 11:15

    VA has been wonderful to me. 100 percent VA rated disability. Going to Canada couple weeks for vacation and worried about medical coverage while there ..

  15. Terry HoganBey July 16, 2024 at 21:24

    This is a very important and informative article that teaches the Veteran how much evidence is needed for examiners at C&P must have to come to a conclusion,decision on behalf of the veteran

  16. John July 16, 2024 at 19:03

    The VA has misdiagnosed my back for the last 25 years. While in the Army my Army Dr stated I had Spondylolysis. The VA called it Muscular sprain. I recently got the coveted Community Care for my lower back. It was Spondylolisthesis and no disk between L5 and S1. Had the surgery where they fused L5 to S1 and in much better condition.

    How do I go about getting a permanent rating on my back now that it is fuse? I’m already maxed out at 40%.

  17. Herbert W Briscoe July 16, 2024 at 17:41

    My doctors won’t fill out DBQs. It is to time consuming. I am submitting letters from them and relevant medical records.

    • Al July 21, 2024 at 16:06

      The bought and paid for nurses at LHI and Optum can do several DBQ’s in under 5 minutes.

  18. Victor M DeCosta July 16, 2024 at 15:48

    Pls. save on line Quiz !

  19. A.L.Williams July 16, 2024 at 12:53

    The M21-l Manual states that raters should take a private DBQ at face value, provided the private DBQ meets the criteria per VA M21-l.IV.i.3.A.l.e. The VA is not doing that. Though the VA has procedures in place to render ratings using non-VA DBQs, a staggering number of raters still ignore legitimate non-VA DBQs that otherwise would have resulted in service connection grants or higher disability ratings. As a result, there is often competing medical evidence– the evidence in favor of the veteran’s claim (Private DBQ) and the VA’s evidence against the veteran (VA DBQ). In those cases, the benefit of the doubt is supposed to go the veteran (See 38 CFR 3.102). I recommend the VA look into and enforce what the provisions in the M21-1 manual regarding non-VA DBQs.

  20. Richard Troutman July 15, 2024 at 18:57

    How can I increase my 90% disability to 100%?

    • Nick Lamia July 27, 2024 at 15:08

      Use a private company that has a great track record like Veterans Guardian. They will do it fast and efficiently and every dollar they charge you will be worth it. You will come out ahead in the end.

  21. Ernest Zabala July 14, 2024 at 12:09

    Everything about VA is a scam now. Friends family and neighbors of va employees get preferential treatment and always get their disability claim approved. Other veterans who do not know anyone who works at the VA or related to someone like myself has to fight for years to get the benefits they earned. These benefits are denied by VA employees who have no medical training and were never veterans. Their whole job along with c&p paid Hired hands is to deny the veteran benefits. That is their sole mission. they are literally Hit Men for the VA.
    These scum get their rocks off on assuring veterans suffer and die. These losers possess an animosity against successful veterans applying for benefits they earn for their service to the United States of America.

    • Gregery Riedi July 16, 2024 at 12:47

      Not my experience!
      Yes, it’s an arduous process. Verifying the information is important and takes time.

  22. Lee E Robinson July 13, 2024 at 03:35

    Great information. Can VA assigned providers or doctors complete DBQs?

    • John Lafferty July 16, 2024 at 12:57

      VA Directive 1134 obligates VA doctors to provide medical opinions, disability benefits questionnaires (DBQ), and just about anything else the veteran needs in support of a VA Claim or a SSDI claim. If your VA Hospital or Clinic refuses to help you, call the White House Hotline. This will automatically trigger an investigation with the Under Secretary for Health.

      https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=4300

  23. Glennis Thies July 12, 2024 at 15:23

    What benefits are available for 100% disabled veterans widows?

    • Andy July 16, 2024 at 13:34

      Contact a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to get more information.

  24. Richard C capraun July 12, 2024 at 11:33

    good info i needed it.

  25. Eddie Radcliffe July 12, 2024 at 10:17

    All my claims for compensation, have had me be examined by PN (Practical Nurse), they aren’t qualified to assess my claims.

    • RUBEN G VONTALGE July 25, 2024 at 09:40

      Eddie, I have also noticed that there are less and less regular doctors, specialty doctors/surgeons, etc.. I used to have a real primary doctor for years, but due to his passing, I now have a nurse practitioner who is very nice and does a fantastic job, but does not carry the same clout as a regular M.D.. I have gone thru 4 heart doctors, who have left for private practices or other (not VA) offices, and now have a nurse practitioner who I just started going to. I am also now on my 2nd Pulmonary doctor who is a nurse practitioner (the 1st was a real doctor), that I have my first appointment in a couple of weeks. It seems that the VA needs to up their priorities and pay to doctors what they could make outside the VA. I hope you get your claims straightened out.

  26. richard turner July 12, 2024 at 04:43

    im having (REFUSAL) of service for a problem that is WHY IM disable. at Mcguire. 100 of # been called no help what so ever.THIS IS WHY VETERANS COMIT SUISIDE.

    • John July 16, 2024 at 19:05

      Sorry you’re at McGuire in Virginia. That is the worst of all VA Hospitals I have been to. Ask for community care to see a specialist outside of the VA. And pray Trump gets back in.

      • Jenifer July 17, 2024 at 22:03

        Actually Trump tried to get of the 100% unemployabilty and said that at 62 year old you SS will pick it up. Well you get a lot of bonus when 100% like tax break on your home taxes. Also if you have not worked for 30 years you jave no SS because they go by the last 10 years. No work no SS other then $800.00 well that is about 50% of the amount you will be losing. Also benefit increase has been under Democrats. Do some research. Republocan say a lot but please spend time looking at there voting records. They are 100% hypocrites. Also why would you ever want someone as commander in chief who was a corward and scammed his way out of serving and then does not even understand why we serve to begin with. He does not love this country one bit. You you need to see what 15 years of conseratives have done to GB. That country is ruin because they made like 40% cut on program like caring for there infrastructure all under the name of fixing the deficit. The problem is they did not fix the deficit and insteas gave huge taxcut to the rich. Well it is hard to manufacter and do anything when you have no funds to fix the road or the port. GB ruin there economy with Britian first. We do not live in the same world as we did 50 years ago and going back never works. Trump will ruin this country and he most like let Putin Ruin Europe which will greatly damage use. Trump does not give one crap about you.

  27. Dennis Gibson July 11, 2024 at 18:49

    I have a question about high blood pressure compensation. Many year ago the VA told me I had high blood pressure and put me on medication for it. When the news guidelines came saying that because I was in the jungles of Vietnam that I would be eligible for compensation. When I applied for compensation for high blood pressure I was denied because it is controlled by the medication. That seems to me that not right. I have high blood pressure because I was exposed to agent orange in the jungle of Vietnam. How can I get the compensation I deserve with going off the medication and letting my high blood pressure take it course? Hope get an answer but not hopeful that will happen.

    • Lin July 13, 2024 at 09:29

      Send military that show you were in Vietnam along with a 0995 form

  28. Raymond Bordonaro July 11, 2024 at 17:48

    For the past 4 years i have been sent all over the city and long island and rockland county for C&P exams by scam doctors waiting in hallways like cattle measuring the scars from my cancer operations for lung because of working in the burning oil fields in Kuwait and my kidneys from drinking the bad water in the gulf. First they found out that they screwed up by not giving me 100% and started to give me the right amt. for a period of 6 months then discontinued it and gave me 10% I still have a breathing problem and take Fluticasone Propionate and Salmeterol inhalation powder
    every day , I have been getting the run around and i am sick and tired.

    • Marsha July 13, 2024 at 07:52

      What can be done when a VA C & P examiner checks boxes (yes or no) to questions that were never asked (she checked no for two major symptoms) and or structures an answer to a question so that it appears that a problem has been resolved with otc medication even though it was only a step possibly preventing an ER visit for the pain.
      (And we aren’t given the ability to view the report until 30 days AFTER the appointment so no opportunity to make sure the form was correctly filled out at the time of exam. We need a copy at completion and correct any discrepancies before leaving the appt. Of course that would benefit the Veteran. I feel this type of situation is an over all failure to assist.

    • Lin July 13, 2024 at 09:26

      Dennis, you can send your military record that show you were in vietnam

    • Lin July 13, 2024 at 09:32

      Send 0995 if you disagree with decision along with any evidence that your cancer is still active by an MD

  29. Leslie J Blackburn III July 11, 2024 at 15:52

    Most Doctors/Physicians will not complete DBQ’s, citing legal guidance from internal counsel.

    Sad! Most state they fear the wrath of the VA Administrarive side if all it’s are not crossed and the i’s dotted.

    Reviewed the comments below and concur with all.

    As I tell friends there are two (2) VA’s; Medical that take care of THEIR Veterans w/o question, think Pamela Murphy. Then their is the Admin side who could care less about the Veteran as outlined below. The work for themselves and the Administration. All holidays taken, comp time for every minute worked over.

    If it was not for VSO’ most of us would not be where we are.

    Certainly concur with comments IRT contracted C&P exam centers. Filed for Loss of Sense of Smell & Taste. VA only set exam for Loss of Smell. 1st C&P exam questioned only no tests etc. Second exam tested, failed to smell any of the four products tested for. 1st test coffee paper cup so full I inhaled the coffee. When I spoke to the examiner of the technicians failure, it was total shutdown. Examiner very short, would not accept documentation etc. Got the bum’s rush in and out of examiners precise w/i 10 minutes.

    • TJ July 11, 2024 at 17:31

      The C&P exam is 100% a scam to deny you your benefits. The one I went to was so trashy and unprofessional that It was absolutely comical. They will do anything and everything to deny you what you’re owed. The VA pays these people for exactly that.

    • John Lafferty July 16, 2024 at 12:53

      VA Directive 1134 obligates VA doctors to provide medical opinions, disability benefits questionnaires (DBQ), and just about anything else the veteran needs in support of a VA Claim or a SSDI claim. If your VA Hospital or Clinic refuses to help you, call the White House Hotline. This will automatically trigger an investigation with the Under Secretary for Health.

      https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=4300

  30. Maria July 11, 2024 at 15:12

    I tried to apply for temporary disability because I was having foot surgery. Since I hadn’t been evaluated in over 2 years, I was told I needed to be reevaluated. So, I submitted a few claims and then requested a female provider. My filed was closed 6 months later due to no female providers being available in my area and QTC not allowing me to travel over so many miles. I was not sent a letter or anything. I happened to check the VA app and saw that my case was closed and the “evidence” used to justify no change was from when I was discharged in 2017. So I refiled and was sent to two different female providers. Somehow, these two weren’t available last year. I brought medical records, which was good because neither one could access what they were supposed to be able to see during our appointment time. One provider was fairly local and one about 4 hours away. That was about 2 months ago. Still waiting on a decision. There is a male provider here locally. I’ve heard that people pay him cash so that he writes a “favorable”report for them, resulting in increased compensation. If not, he sends his “findings” to a colleague and that person puts their stamp of approval on whatever the first doctor wrote. That way it looks like two doctors said the veteran was fine. The whole system is flawed. I’m sure there are more stories similar to that.

    • Leroy Joseph Jr July 11, 2024 at 21:51

      Maria,
      It took 6 months for the VA for the VA to give me a Temporary 100% disability for a surgery in February (my VSO put in the claim for me, sincei was in the hospital).

      Anyhoos, the VA asked for several PMR’s (Private Medical Records) via VA Form 21-21-2142 and 21-2142a even though I had gotten the records from the Neurosurgeon, Hospital and Physical Therapy and uploaded them on February 20, 2025, I did not see anything until this July when I checked and saw that there was a decision letter and retro pay pending for those months –

      In conclusion when I called to asked about why it took so long, the response was “Temporary 100% Disability for a service-connect convalescence is treated the same (time frame of 150 days) as any other compensation claim”

      PS
      I’m now back to my regular disability percentage benefit –

    • Jim Tooker July 18, 2024 at 06:28

      What you have described constitutes fraud. Be the whistle blower, provide any evidence you may have and shut it down.

      • Susan July 27, 2024 at 19:19

        Jim, that is not fraud. It is common since va is changed their practice of first in first out for the 100 % temporary disability to not be processed right away. She did or will receive the money it was just back paid to her.

  31. Donald Ervin Sr July 11, 2024 at 14:00

    I have been to a few of these contract providers and found out that they are not out to assist the veterans. All they are interested in is proving that va is not responsible for anything the veteran is trying to. Prove. All they want to do is disapprove the claim.

    • James Santos July 14, 2024 at 07:32

      I as a teenager in 1977 army, on my meps application I checked off shortness of breath and admitted smoking 2 packs cigarettes a day! Did this bar me from military service? No! I had bronchitis twice once in boot camp and again in military mos schooling. This is, By all means an; Aggravated Condition! You would think that this would be easy to prove but I was told and I quote; THATS NEITHER HERE NOR THERE! Unquote.. Referring to my admission of breathing problems. I developed shortness of breath when I was about 15/16 that would be approximately 1973. Back then they didn’t give much consideration to asthma because for one they considered it a Psychological condition or , “You will most likely grow out of it”. And the didn’t have bronchodilators/nebulizer machines back then, ( at least not for poor people). So I stress every single time I file a claim. I’ve come to realize that with all the disclaimers that the review board has, coupled with answers such as , that’s neither here nor there, they are allowed to Assume where and how you got it without any evidence except for the Lying C&P examiners such as LHI, and crooked psychologists that Expand on what they think you really meant! And don’t get me started on the mostly VA HAND PICKED PCP/Mental health providers that won’t vouch for any qualifying Presumptive diseases.. Thanks for nothing you dishonest bunch of thieves…

  32. charles muse July 11, 2024 at 13:32

    I have had numerous CP exam. number one. I have found the examiners from facilities like VES are not qualified to provide an accurate examination of the veteran. see veterans DBQs and attempt to examine using ACE exams for Parkinsonism, Atypical Parkinsons. Number two, DROCs like St. Petersburg cannot recognize connection between veterans examination and 38CFRs. veteran has service connected Hypothyroidism and has been medicated since 2006. 38 CFR 4.119, Hypothyroidism, 7903 states that when medication is in continuous use for illness, the veteran rates a disability. The Reviewing officers have ignored the DBQ from 2021 which shows veteran takes Synthyroid to control effects of illness. what good does a DBQ do with personnel are not qualified to make a decision , but give personal oppinions which the RO is not supposed to do. thank you

    • Jo. Hinnant July 12, 2024 at 08:00

      I agree with this assessment, I was seem by VES Providers. I was never really examined. I was asked questions and wasn’t in the office for 30 minutes. These Providers need to be a little more caring of Veterans. You are able to keep your freedoms because we served.

  33. LeRoy H July 11, 2024 at 13:32

    Why can’t the Veteran view the DBQs and other documents used in processing their claim through the VA portal? There were numerous errors on DBQs completed by VA contractors regarding my claim which would have negatively effected my benefits. The “excuse” I received from the VA to this question is that medical information is involved and must be protected. The Veteran uploads medical documentation to the portal to initiate the claim so they should be able to view all subsequent documents used in the process. I was able to obtain the documents associated with my claim through a VSO. How is that protecting my medical privacy by involving another third party in order to review my files?

    • Leroy Joseph Jr July 11, 2024 at 21:39

      Hear, Hear!
      I’ve had 7 C&P exams for various claims and a few for the same claim.

      I even went to the VA to the ROI and they directed me to the Patient Advocate who then stated that I could not see the results of any of the DBQ’s.

      WTF!, aren’t those part of the Veterans medical records which the VETERAN should have ACCESS to?

  34. Marcella Jaine July 11, 2024 at 13:23

    So if your VA Primary Care Provider refuses to fill out the DBQ (most DO), you’re supposed to just let the C&P examiner (who usually is not an expert in the area of disability you are claiming) determine your qualifications for disability despite not knowing you at all and having the same information in front of them as was provided to the doctor that filled out the form? Even though BOTH are actually paid for their services? I’m confused.

    • John Lafferty July 16, 2024 at 12:54

      VA Directive 1134 obligates VA doctors to provide medical opinions, disability benefits questionnaires (DBQ), and just about anything else the veteran needs in support of a VA Claim or a SSDI claim. If your VA Hospital or Clinic refuses to help you, call the White House Hotline. This will automatically trigger an investigation with the Under Secretary for Health.

      https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=4300

  35. Roy Franklin Gehris July 11, 2024 at 13:10

    Interesting since I volunteer as a Legion Service Officer!!

  36. Donald G Clayton July 11, 2024 at 12:49

    From Feb 2024 to may 2024 the VBA sent me to 5 differance C & P exam for my lung disease! Only 2 gave me the required PFT both I did not pass! The other three just ask me questions!!! After 10 years the VBA gave me a 0% disable rating on my damaged lungs thatnk to these scammers that the VBA sent me to!

    • John Lafferty July 16, 2024 at 12:56

      Have your VA Specialists full out your DBQs, since they are the ones who knows your disability best.

      VA Directive 1134 obligates VA doctors to provide medical opinions, disability benefits questionnaires (DBQ), and just about anything else the veteran needs in support of a VA Claim or a SSDI claim. If your VA Hospital or Clinic refuses to help you, call the White House Hotline. This will automatically trigger an investigation with the Under Secretary for Health.

      https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=4300

  37. Harvey Venier July 5, 2024 at 17:56

    Thanks ?

Comments are closed.

More Stories

  • What real estate industry changes mean for VA home loan borrowers

    Recently, one of the largest real estate professionals (REPs) trade organizations—the National Association of Realtors® (NAR)—has been in the news regarding a settlement concerning buyer-broker compensation. Effective Aug. 17, 2024, the the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) has reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit that resulted in changes to buyer broker fees in real estate transactions. Here's how that could affect Veterans and service members using VA's home loan benefits.

  • The G.I. Bill changes lives

    Army Veteran and storyteller Dustin Elias spoke at the celebration of the G.I. Bill 80th anniversary at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

  • VA improves access to claims information

    VA recently enhanced the Claim Status Tool to improve your digital, self-service experience. The tool now shows a breakdown of the eight-step disability claims process, making it easier to understand where your claim currently is