Headaches and Migraines DBQ explained

What this DBQ covers

The Headaches DBQ records the headache diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, attack duration, and effects on activities and work. It distinguishes having headache pain from an attack that substantially prevents ordinary activity. The form uses the term prostrating for that more disabling level of attack. Your clinician assesses the description; a headache log should show what actually happened rather than label every headache the same way.

The important sections, explained

Headache features and the effect of an attack

The symptom section records pain and associated features, including symptoms that occur before or during a headache. Describe the location, duration and what accompanies an episode, such as sensitivity or nausea when actually present. The next section asks about prostrating attacks. In practical terms, explain whether an attack leaves you unable to continue ordinary activity, what you must stop and what recovery involves. The clinician applies the form's terminology to the actual history.

Read the official form: page 2

Frequency and functional impact

Not every headache episode necessarily has the same effect. Keep the total headache pattern distinct from attacks that stop activity, and describe how long the more limiting episodes last. The functional-impact section provides a place to explain disrupted tasks or work when applicable. A log can help with dates, treatment and recovery. Do not increase a count by recording one continuous attack as several separate attacks simply because it crossed a calendar day.

Read the official form: page 3

How to prepare useful information

A useful log records dates, duration, symptoms, medication taken, and what you had to stop or change. If an attack required lying down or leaving work, describe that accurately and include the time involved. Bring treatment notes and relevant attendance or accommodation records if available. Explain both typical attacks and unusually severe episodes so that a single bad day does not stand in for the whole pattern.

Records to gather

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

• A dated headache log showing duration, symptoms, treatment, and activity interruption
• Clinical records identifying the headache type and treatment history
• Available records of missed work, reduced duties, or other concrete effects

A detail that is easy to miss

A calendar marked headache every day may not explain differences in duration or impact. Add enough detail to show what happened during representative episodes and whether they were separate attacks. Identify estimates when reconstructing older periods. Do not copy a description of prostrating attacks into your record unless it accurately reflects what you experienced.

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 2
3. SECTION III - SYMPTOMSPage 2
4. SECTION IV - PROSTRATING ATTACKS OF HEADACHE PAINPage 3
5. SECTION V - OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARSPage 4
6. SECTION VI - DIAGNOSTIC TESTINGPage 4
7. SECTION VII - FUNCTIONAL IMPACTPage 5
8. SECTION VIII - REMARKSPage 5
9. SECTION IX - EXAMINER'S CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATUREPage 5

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 every painful headache count as a prostrating attack?

No. The form distinguishes pain from attacks involving substantial inability to carry out ordinary activities. Describe your actual experience, including what you could and could not do, and let the clinician assess it. The number of headaches alone does not answer that question.

How should I record an attack that lasts into the next day?

Identify when the episode began and ended and whether symptoms continued without recovery. Do not automatically count a new attack at midnight. If you are unsure whether episodes were separate, explain that uncertainty so the clinician can assess frequency from the history rather than an inflated calendar count.

What should I include in a headache log?

Useful entries include the date, duration, associated symptoms, treatment and activities interrupted. Record typical and more limiting episodes accurately, and distinguish a continuing attack from a new one. A log supports the history but does not independently establish a diagnosis or disability percentage.