VA DBQ forms, explained

Browse all DBQ guides

1. Separation health assessment

   Separation Health Assessment Part A

   Understand the Separation Health Assessment self-assessment, how to describe your medical history, and what to prepare before your separation examination.

   17 pages
2. Cardiovascular

   Artery and Vein Conditions

   Read the artery and vein DBQ guide, including circulation symptoms, condition-specific findings, testing, treatment and everyday limitations.

   10 pages
3. Cardiovascular

   Heart Conditions

   Understand the heart DBQ's diagnosis, procedures, hospitalizations, testing and METs sections, with practical records to gather for review.

   10 pages
4. Cardiovascular

   Hypertension

   Understand the hypertension DBQ, including blood-pressure history, medication, recorded readings and the limits of a single measurement.

   4 pages
5. Dental & Oral

   Oral and Dental Conditions

   Understand the oral and dental DBQ's jaw, tooth-loss, injury, surgery and testing sections, and the records that explain the underlying condition.

   7 pages
6. Dermatological

   Scars and Disfigurement

   Read the scars DBQ guide to understand location, measurements, pain, skin breakdown, disfigurement and any effect on movement or function.

   11 pages
7. Dermatological

   Skin Diseases

   Understand the skin diseases DBQ, including affected areas, treatment history, flare patterns and when separate scar findings may matter.

   12 pages
8. Endocrinological

   Diabetes Mellitus

   Understand the diabetes DBQ's treatment, episodes, complications and testing sections, with records that show how the condition is managed.

   6 pages
9. Endocrinological

   Other Endocrine Conditions

   Understand the endocrine DBQ for conditions outside the separate thyroid and diabetes forms, including disease-specific findings and testing.

   9 pages
10. Endocrinological

    Thyroid and Parathyroid Conditions

    Read the thyroid and parathyroid DBQ guide, including symptoms, treatment history, examination findings, testing and lasting effects.

    10 pages
11. Ear, Nose, Throat

    Ear and Vestibular Conditions

    Understand the ear conditions DBQ's balance, infection, surgery and examination sections, and how it differs from the hearing-loss questionnaire.

    9 pages
12. Ear, Nose, Throat

    Loss of Smell and Taste

    Understand the smell and taste DBQ, including the distinction between the two senses, symptom history, testing and practical effects.

    5 pages
13. Ear, Nose, Throat

    Sinusitis and Rhinitis

    Understand the sinusitis and rhinitis DBQ's separate condition sections, treatment history, examinations and records of recurring episodes.

    9 pages
14. Gastrointestinal

    Esophageal Disorders and GERD

    Understand the esophageal DBQ for GERD and related disorders, including swallowing problems, treatment, procedures and diagnostic records.

    7 pages
15. Gastrointestinal

    Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Conditions

    Read the gallbladder DBQ guide for disease, removal or other procedures, hospitalizations and symptoms that continue after treatment.

    7 pages
16. Gastrointestinal

    Abdominal, Inguinal and Femoral Hernias

    Understand the hernia DBQ's location, repair, recurrence and clinical findings, with records that help explain your treatment history.

    8 pages
17. Gastrointestinal

    Intestinal Conditions and IBS

    Understand the intestinal DBQ's separate IBS, inflammatory disease, surgery and other condition sections, with useful symptom and treatment records.

    11 pages
18. Gastrointestinal

    Liver Conditions and Hepatitis

    Read the liver DBQ guide for chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, testing, transplant history and the difference between past treatment and current findings.

    9 pages
19. Gastrointestinal

    Pancreas Conditions

    Understand the pancreas DBQ's diagnosis, episodes, treatment, testing and lasting effects, with records that clarify the course of the condition.

    8 pages
20. Gastrointestinal

    Peritoneal Adhesions

    Read the peritoneal adhesions DBQ guide, including documented abdominal adhesions, manifestations, hospitalizations and relevant testing.

    4 pages
21. Gastrointestinal

    Rectum and Anus Conditions

    Understand the rectum and anus DBQ's separate condition sections, including hemorrhoids, fistula, narrowing, leakage and prolapse.

    7 pages
22. Gastrointestinal

    Stomach and Duodenum Conditions

    Understand the stomach and duodenum DBQ's ulcer, gastritis, injury and surgery sections, and what records explain continuing digestive problems.

    8 pages
23. Genitourinary

    Kidney Conditions

    Understand the kidney DBQ's renal function, stones, infections, removal and transplant sections, with testing and treatment records to gather.

    9 pages
24. Genitourinary

    Male Reproductive Conditions and Prostate Cancer

    Understand the male reproductive DBQ's prostate cancer, treatment, urinary effects and other findings, with records that distinguish active disease from residuals.

    9 pages
25. Genitourinary

    Urinary Tract Conditions

    Read the urinary tract DBQ guide for bladder and urethral conditions, including leakage, frequency, obstruction, stones and infections.

    7 pages
26. Gynecological

    Breast Conditions

    Understand the breast conditions DBQ, including diagnosis, treatment, surgery and residual effects, with records that explain what changed after care.

    5 pages
27. Gynecological

    Gynecological Conditions

    Understand the gynecological DBQ's diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, surgery and condition-specific sections, including the records that clarify ongoing effects.

    10 pages
28. Hematologic & Lymphatic

    Blood and Lymphatic Conditions

    Read the blood and lymphatic DBQ guide for anemia, leukemia, lymphoma and related conditions, including testing, treatment and current disease status.

    12 pages
29. Infectious Diseases

    HIV-Related Illnesses

    Understand the HIV-related illnesses DBQ's treatment, symptoms, secondary diseases, complications and testing sections, with practical records to organize.

    7 pages
30. Infectious Diseases

    Infectious Diseases

    Understand the general infectious diseases DBQ, including diagnosis, whether disease is active, treatment and any lasting residual effects.

    7 pages
31. Infectious Diseases

    Persian Gulf and Afghanistan Infectious Diseases

    Read the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan infectious diseases DBQ guide, with separate histories for diagnosed infections, testing and lasting effects.

    6 pages
32. Infectious Diseases

    Tuberculosis

    Understand the tuberculosis DBQ's pulmonary and non-pulmonary sections, disease history, treatment, testing and continuing effects.

    7 pages
33. Musculoskeletal

    Amputations

    Understand the amputations DBQ's site, side, anatomical findings, assistive devices and functional effects, with records that document the procedure and recovery.

    6 pages
34. Musculoskeletal

    Ankle Conditions

    Read the ankle DBQ guide to understand movement testing, instability, flare-ups, surgery and the difference between examination findings and everyday limits.

    14 pages
35. Musculoskeletal

    Back and Thoracolumbar Spine Conditions

    Understand the back DBQ's movement, flare-up, nerve, IVDS and functional-impact sections, with records that explain symptoms beyond the examination day.

    14 pages
36. Musculoskeletal

    Bones and Other Skeletal Conditions

    Understand the bones and skeletal DBQ's diagnosis, skull, spine or chest findings, testing, devices and functional effects.

    7 pages
37. Musculoskeletal

    Elbow and Forearm Conditions

    Read the elbow and forearm DBQ guide for movement, repeated use, flare-ups, surgery and limitations in lifting, carrying or turning the arm.

    15 pages
38. Musculoskeletal

    Foot Conditions and Flatfoot

    Understand the foot DBQ's flatfoot, plantar fasciitis and other condition sections, including pain, orthotics, treatment and limits on standing or walking.

    16 pages
39. Musculoskeletal

    Hand and Finger Conditions

    Understand the hand and finger DBQ's joint movement, strength, affected digits and functional effects, with practical records and task examples.

    17 pages
40. Musculoskeletal

    Hip and Thigh Conditions

    Read the hip and thigh DBQ guide for movement, flare-ups, femur findings, surgery and the effects on walking, sitting and daily activities.

    13 pages
41. Musculoskeletal

    Knee and Lower Leg Conditions

    Understand the knee DBQ's movement, stability, meniscus, tibia or fibula, surgery and flare-up sections, with concrete records to prepare.

    15 pages
42. Musculoskeletal

    Muscle Injuries

    Read the muscle injuries DBQ guide for injury history, affected muscle groups, clinical findings and remaining strength or function.

    12 pages
43. Musculoskeletal

    Neck and Cervical Spine Conditions

    Understand the neck DBQ's movement, arm symptoms, neurological findings, IVDS and functional effects, with practical preparation for the examination.

    14 pages
44. Musculoskeletal

    Osteomyelitis

    Understand the VA Osteomyelitis DBQ, including infection episodes, treatment, affected bones, and the records that help describe lasting limitations.

    7 pages
45. Musculoskeletal

    Shoulder and Arm Conditions

    Read the VA Shoulder and Arm DBQ guide: movement testing, flare-ups, instability, surgery, and records that explain your daily limitations.

    14 pages
46. Musculoskeletal

    Temporomandibular Disorders

    Understand the VA TMJ DBQ, including jaw movement, flare-ups, chewing difficulties, and physician-verified dietary restrictions.

    9 pages
47. Musculoskeletal

    Wrist Conditions

    Understand the VA Wrist DBQ: movement, pain, repeated use, flare-ups, surgery, and records that explain hand and wrist limitations.

    13 pages
48. Neurological

    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

    Read the VA ALS DBQ guide to understand the functional findings, assistance needs, treatment records, and supporting evaluations it collects.

    12 pages
49. Neurological

    Central Nervous System and Neuromuscular Diseases

    Understand the VA Central Nervous System DBQ, including neurological findings, daily function, treatment, and records of lasting effects.

    13 pages
50. Neurological

    Cranial Nerve Conditions

    Read the VA Cranial Nerve DBQ guide: affected nerves, facial or swallowing symptoms, clinical findings, and records to prepare.

    8 pages
51. Neurological

    Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

    Understand the VA Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy DBQ, including nerve findings, affected limbs, testing, and records of functional changes.

    9 pages
52. Neurological

    Fibromyalgia

    Read the VA Fibromyalgia DBQ guide to understand symptom patterns, treatment response, daily limitations, and records to gather.

    7 pages
53. Neurological

    Headaches and Migraines

    Understand the VA Headaches DBQ, including migraine attacks, frequency, duration, treatment, and how headaches interrupt ordinary activities.

    5 pages
54. Neurological

    Multiple Sclerosis

    Understand the VA Multiple Sclerosis DBQ, including neurological effects, changing function, treatment, and assistance needs.

    13 pages
55. Neurological

    Narcolepsy

    Read the VA Narcolepsy DBQ guide to understand diagnosis, episodes, treatment, safety restrictions, and records of daily impact.

    4 pages
56. Neurological

    Parkinson's Disease

    Understand the VA Parkinson's Disease DBQ, including motor and other symptoms, daily function, medication effects, and care needs.

    10 pages
57. Neurological

    Peripheral Nerve Conditions

    Read the VA Peripheral Nerves DBQ guide: symptoms, affected nerves, strength and sensation findings, and records of everyday limitations.

    14 pages
58. Neurological

    Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy

    Understand the VA Seizure Disorders DBQ, including seizure history, episode frequency, medication, witness observations, and daily impact.

    7 pages
59. Nutrition

    Nutritional Deficiencies

    Read the VA Nutritional Deficiencies DBQ guide to understand the diagnosis, clinical effects, treatment, testing, and records to prepare.

    6 pages
60. Ophthalmological

    Eye Conditions

    Understand the VA Eye Conditions DBQ, including vision measurements, eye diagnoses, treatment episodes, and records for your clinician.

    14 pages
61. Psychological

    Eating Disorders

    Read the VA Eating Disorders DBQ guide to understand the clinical history, treatment, functional effects, and provider requirements.

    3 pages
62. Psychological

    Mental Disorders Other Than PTSD and Eating Disorders

    Understand the VA Mental Disorders DBQ, including diagnosis, work and social effects, treatment history, and qualified examiner requirements.

    8 pages
63. Psychological

    PTSD Review

    Read the VA PTSD Review DBQ guide: what it documents, records to prepare, examiner requirements, and how it differs from an initial PTSD exam.

    9 pages
64. Respiratory

    Respiratory Conditions

    Understand the VA Respiratory Conditions DBQ, including lung testing, medication, treatment episodes, and records of breathing limitations.

    11 pages
65. Respiratory

    Sleep Apnea

    Read the VA Sleep Apnea DBQ guide: sleep study results, prescribed treatment, symptoms, daily impact, and what the form does not establish.

    4 pages
66. Rheumatological

    Arthritis and Other Non-Degenerative Joint Diseases

    Understand the VA Arthritis DBQ, including non-degenerative joint disease, systemic effects, episodes, treatment, and related joint evaluations.

    8 pages
67. Rheumatological

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Read the VA Chronic Fatigue Syndrome DBQ guide: diagnostic assessment, activity changes, treatment, episodes, and supporting records.

    5 pages
68. Rheumatological

    Lupus and Other Autoimmune Diseases

    Understand the VA Lupus and Autoimmune Diseases DBQ, including disease activity, affected systems, treatment, and records of functional effects.

    9 pages
69. Spina Bifida (natural child of a Veteran exposed to herbicides)

    Spina Bifida for a Veteran's Child

    Understand the VA Spina Bifida DBQ for a veteran's child, including diagnosis, mobility, daily function, treatment, and the separate benefit context.

    5 pages