Foot Conditions and Flatfoot DBQ explained

What this DBQ covers

The foot questionnaire has separate sections for flatfoot, plantar fasciitis, several toe or forefoot conditions, bone findings and other injuries. It also addresses pain, functional loss, surgery and devices. A location of pain does not by itself identify the condition. The clinician should document the diagnosed problem and the corresponding findings rather than treat every painful foot as the same disorder.

The important sections, explained

Several foot diagnoses, separate findings

The form includes distinct sections for flatfoot, plantar fasciitis, toe disorders and other foot conditions. Similar pain locations do not make these diagnoses interchangeable. Identify the diagnosis in your podiatry record and which foot is affected. Describe symptoms during standing or walking, then let the examiner assess findings such as alignment, tenderness and deformity. The presence of several sections does not mean you should select every condition with a familiar symptom.

Read the official form: page 4

Orthotics, treatment and function

The functional-loss and device sections help explain the effects during ordinary use. Some condition-specific questions also ask whether shoes, inserts or other treatment improve findings. Describe the treatment you actually use, how often and what changes with it. Bring the prescription or podiatry note when available. Improvement with an insert and continued difficulty after longer walking can both be part of the same accurate history; neither needs to be omitted.

Read the official form: page 12

How to prepare useful information

Describe which foot and area are affected, what happens with standing or walking and how treatment changes the symptoms. Bring information about orthotics, footwear or other prescribed supports and whether they help in practice. If several diagnoses exist, keep their histories clear. The clinician performs the examination and assesses the appropriate sections; you can explain how the problem changes over an ordinary day.

Records to gather

Start with records you already have. Bring the relevant information to your clinician and explain any gaps or uncertain dates.

• Podiatry or orthopedic notes, imaging and documented diagnoses.
• Records of orthotics, treatment, injections or surgery and the response to care.
• Examples of standing or walking limits, with the side, location and flare pattern identified.

A detail that is easy to miss

Keep left and right findings clear, especially when different conditions affect each foot. Do not treat an insert purchase as proof of the diagnosis or its severity. After an operation, include the procedure and follow-up information. If an ankle or nerve problem also affects walking, mention it separately so the examiner can assess the overlapping limitations.

Find your way around the official form

These section headings come from the linked VA PDF. Each link opens the page where the section begins. Read the form's own instructions for the full questions and any required attachments.

1. SECTION I - DIAGNOSISPage 1
2. SECTION II - MEDICAL HISTORYPage 3
3. SECTION III - FLATFOOT (PES PLANUS)Page 4
4. SECTION IV - PLANTAR FASCIITISPage 6
5. SECTION V - MORTON'S NEUROMA (MORTON'S DISEASE) AND METATARSALGIAPage 7
6. SECTION VI - HAMMER TOEPage 7
7. SECTION VII - HALLUX VALGUSPage 8
8. SECTION VIII - HALLUX RIGIDUSPage 8
9. SECTION IX - ACQUIRED PES CAVUS (CLAW FOOT)Page 9
10. SECTION X - MALUNION OR NONUNION OF TARSAL OR METATARSAL BONESPage 10
11. SECTION XI - FOOT INJURIES AND OTHER CONDITIONSPage 10
12. SECTION XII - SURGICAL PROCEDURESPage 11
13. SECTION XIII - PAINPage 11
14. SECTION XIV - FUNCTIONAL LOSSPage 12
15. SECTION XV - OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND SCARSPage 13
16. SECTION XVI - ASSISTIVE DEVICESPage 14
17. SECTION XVII - REMAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTION OF THE EXTREMITIESPage 14
18. SECTION XVIII - DIAGNOSTIC TESTINGPage 15
19. SECTION XIX - FUNCTIONAL IMPACTPage 16
20. SECTION XX - REMARKSPage 16
21. SECTION XXI - EXAMINER'S CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATUREPage 16

Who completes the clinical sections?

The healthcare provider completes the clinical assessment, identifies the records reviewed, and signs the questionnaire. You can gather records and describe symptoms and daily limitations. Measurements, diagnoses, and clinical conclusions belong to the examiner.

Check the official form's instructions with your provider before the appointment, including any examination or testing requirements. VA does not pay or reimburse the costs of having a private DBQ completed or submitted.

A completed DBQ can help document the medical condition. Whether it also answers a particular service-connection question depends on its content and the other evidence. VA may verify the form or request another examination.

Common questions

Does using an orthotic tell the whole story?

No. The type of support, why it was prescribed and the actual response can all add context. Tell the clinician what improves and what remains difficult. An orthotic prescription alone does not establish every finding requested in the separate foot-condition sections.

Are flatfoot and plantar fasciitis covered on this form?

Yes, the questionnaire includes separate sections for each. The provider determines which diagnosed conditions and findings apply. Your history should explain the actual location, pattern and treatment response rather than assuming the two diagnoses mean the same thing.

What if the heel and toes have different symptoms?

Describe each location, the affected foot and the activity that brings symptoms on. Bring the diagnoses already established by your provider. The form has separate condition-specific sections, so a detailed location history helps the examiner avoid treating all foot pain as the same finding.