Osteomyelitis DBQ explained

What this DBQ covers

Osteomyelitis is an infection involving bone. This questionnaire asks the clinician to distinguish the history of infection from its current activity and any remaining effects. The location, recurrence, drainage, and treatment history can help explain a condition that has changed over time. A past episode that resolved and a recurring infection with ongoing problems should not be described as the same clinical situation.

The important sections, explained

Initial infection and later recurrences

Osteomyelitis is an infection involving bone. The history records medical and surgical treatment, while the recurrence section asks about additional episodes after the initial infection. Keep those events distinct with dates and supporting records. Repeated pain in an old injury area does not by itself establish recurrent bone infection. The clinician uses the documented diagnosis, treatment, examination and testing to determine whether an episode represents infection and what its current status is.

Read the official form: page 2

Current findings and effects of treatment

The form asks about signs, symptoms and findings attributable to the infection or its treatment, as well as amputation and device use where applicable. Bring records of operations, antibiotics and follow-up that explain what changed. Describe current limitations separately from the acute illness. If there is a wound or drainage history, identify the period and treatment accurately. The examiner must distinguish current findings from a resolved episode that remains on an older problem list.

Read the official form: page 4

How to prepare useful information

Bring records from the original diagnosis and later episodes, especially hospital care, cultures, imaging, surgery, and antibiotic treatment. If different clinicians treated separate episodes, a short timeline can help connect those records. Describe the limitations you actually experience, such as difficulty bearing weight or using an affected limb. Your clinician determines which findings are attributable to the infection and whether additional joint or other evaluations are needed.

Records to gather

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

• Hospital and specialist records identifying the affected bone and infection dates
• Operative reports, imaging, culture results, and antibiotic treatment history
• Notes describing recurrence, drainage, and remaining movement or activity limitations

A detail that is easy to miss

Do not combine an initial infection and its continuous treatment into several separate recurrences merely because there were multiple visits. Follow the documented course. Include the affected bone and side, procedure dates and current follow-up. If a later symptom has not been assessed, report it as a symptom rather than a confirmed return of osteomyelitis.

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 - RECURRENT INFECTIONSPage 3
4. SECTION IV - SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND FINDINGSPage 4
5. SECTION V - AMPUTATIONPage 4
6. SECTION VI - ASSISTIVE DEVICESPage 5
7. SECTION VII - REMAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTION OF THE EXTREMITIESPage 5
8. SECTION VIII - OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMSPage 6
9. SECTION IX - DIAGNOSTIC TESTINGPage 6
10. SECTION X - FUNCTIONAL IMPACTPage 7
11. SECTION XI - REMARKSPage 7
12. SECTION XII - EXAMINER'S CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATUREPage 7

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 an old bone infection automatically describe my current condition?

No. The clinician needs to describe whether the infection is active, has recurred, or has left lasting effects. Earlier records establish the history; current examination findings and treatment records help explain what is happening now. Both can matter without being interchangeable.

Does ongoing bone pain mean the infection is still active?

Not necessarily. Pain needs clinical assessment in context. Bring the treatment and follow-up records so the examiner can determine current status and any residual effects. The form separates recurrent infection history from present signs and symptoms.

Should I bring antibiotic and surgery records?

Yes, relevant records of both can explain the treatment course and response. Include dates and the reason for each procedure or medication course. A list of appointments alone may not show whether care addressed one ongoing episode or a separately documented recurrence.