Abdominal, Inguinal and Femoral Hernias DBQ explained

What this DBQ covers

The hernia questionnaire separates femoral, inguinal and other abdominal hernias. It asks about the presence of a current or recurrent hernia and relevant treatment history. Some items depend on a medical professional's documented assessment, including whether a hernia is irreparable. That is different from a veteran deciding not to have another operation or not yet being scheduled for one.

The important sections, explained

Location and recurrence

The form has different sections for femoral, inguinal and other abdominal-wall hernias. Each records surgery and whether a current or recurrent hernia is present. Identify the location and side shown in your records, especially after more than one repair. A past repair and a documented recurrence are different findings. Pain at an old operation site is important to describe, but it does not by itself establish that the hernia has returned.

Read the official form: page 2

What the examination adds

Questions about the current hernia include clinical features such as whether it is repairable and the nature of associated pain. Those decisions belong to the treating or examining clinician. Explain symptoms during lifting, standing or other ordinary activities without testing yourself beyond medical advice. An operative report, later surgical consultation and relevant imaging can help the examiner understand the anatomy and current treatment plan rather than inferring them from a scar.

Read the official form: page 6

How to prepare useful information

Bring the surgical record and any later evaluation of recurrence or treatment options. Describe the location and activities associated with pain, and explain whether symptoms changed after repair. If there are several hernias, keep the sides and locations clear. Clinical examination and the treating record establish the medical findings; ordinary activity examples help explain their practical effects.

Records to gather

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

• Surgical repair records and follow-up examinations identifying location and side.
• Any medical assessment of recurrence, further treatment or irreparability.
• Specific descriptions of pain with activities and any prescribed support or restrictions.

A detail that is easy to miss

Do not confuse a hiatal hernia with an inguinal or abdominal-wall hernia. The esophageal form includes hiatal hernia, while this questionnaire separates several other locations. If your records contain different hernias, label each one by diagnosis, side and operation date. Avoid calling an unrepaired hernia irreparable unless the clinical record actually supports that finding.

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 - FEMORAL HERNIAPage 2
4. SECTION IV - INGUINAL HERNIAPage 4
5. SECTION V - UMBILICAL, VENTRAL, INCISIONAL, AND OTHER HERNIASPage 6
6. SECTION VI - OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARSPage 7
7. SECTION VII - DIAGNOSTIC TESTINGPage 7
8. SECTION VIII - FUNCTIONAL IMPACTPage 8
9. SECTION IX - REMARKSPage 8
10. SECTION X - EXAMINER'S CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATUREPage 8

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

Is declining surgery the same as having an irreparable hernia?

No. Those are different situations. The form asks for medical documentation of irreparability where applicable. Provide the treating professional's assessment and explain your actual treatment history. Do not replace a medical finding with your own conclusion based on whether another operation occurred.

Should I bring records from each prior repair?

Relevant reports from each repair can clarify whether later treatment addressed recurrence, a different side or another location. Include the dates and follow-up findings. If some reports are unavailable, explain the history you know and identify where uncertainty remains.

Does pain after repair mean the hernia is back?

Not necessarily. Report the pain and its location, timing and effects, then let the clinician evaluate the cause. The form asks separately about surgery and a current or recurrent hernia, so one finding should not be substituted for the other.