What this DBQ covers
The public PTSD Review DBQ documents the current clinical picture in a PTSD review examination. It asks about diagnostic findings, history, symptoms, and effects on work and social functioning. The form includes specific examiner qualification and supervision requirements. It is a review questionnaire, and its public availability does not mean the Initial PTSD examination form is also available or that the two examinations serve the same purpose.
The important sections, explained
A review of diagnosis and current impairment
The diagnostic summary considers PTSD and any additional mental health diagnoses, including whether symptoms and impairment can be differentiated. The examiner also addresses documented traumatic brain injury when relevant. Bring current treatment information and explain what has changed since an earlier evaluation. You do not need to assign each symptom to a diagnosis yourself. If the medical evidence cannot clearly separate overlapping effects, that uncertainty should remain part of the clinician's assessment.
Read the official form: page 1
History, symptoms and daily functioning
The clinical-findings section records relevant history and current symptoms for the review. Explain actual effects on ordinary tasks, relationships and work where applicable, including frequency and duration. A concise example can show what a symptom means in your life without copying wording from a rating chart. The qualified examiner evaluates the overall impairment. The public availability of this review form does not make it the Initial PTSD questionnaire or remove the professional requirements printed on it.
How to prepare useful information
Bring relevant treatment and prior evaluation records, along with an accurate account of what has changed. Explain effects on everyday life using examples you are comfortable discussing, including how often problems occur and how long they last. You do not need to match your account to a desired checkbox or rating. The clinician assesses the diagnosis and impairment and should distinguish overlapping conditions when the evidence allows it.
Fictional example
A veteran brings recent treatment notes and describes a change in how often symptoms interrupt a routine task. They explain what support helps and what remains difficult compared with the earlier evaluation. The examiner can consider the current pattern and history without assuming the veteran must repeat a prepared list of severe symptoms. The example does not predict a rating or a review outcome.
Records to gather
Start with records you already have. Bring the relevant information to your clinician and explain any gaps or uncertain dates.
- PTSD treatment records and relevant prior evaluations
- Examples of changes in work, relationships, sleep, or daily functioning
- Medication history and other mental health records relevant to overlapping symptoms
A detail that is easy to miss
Do not use a review questionnaire as a substitute for the separate Initial PTSD examination. Also avoid relying only on an older report if symptoms or treatment have changed. Describe improvement and continuing problems accurately. A personal account helps explain function, while diagnosis, symptom attribution and the overall clinical assessment remain the qualified examiner's responsibility.
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.
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.
This form specifies examiner qualifications and supervision requirements for mental health examinations. Review the instructions on the first page with your provider before arranging completion.
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 the PTSD Review DBQ the same as the Initial PTSD DBQ?
No. VA lists PTSD Review as public and Initial PTSD among the questionnaires not available for public use. Use the correct examination process for the situation. The review form is not a substitute simply because it can be downloaded.
Can I bring a short note to help remember what changed?
A concise note can help you recall treatment changes, symptom timing and practical examples during the review. Use your own experience and identify uncertain dates. It supports the conversation with the examiner; it should not be a copied symptom checklist or a substitute for the clinical assessment.
What information is useful when symptoms have changed?
Describe the change, when it occurred, treatment adjustments and practical effects. Relevant recent notes can help the examiner compare the current situation with the history. Do not omit improvement or exaggerate a difficult period; the goal is an accurate current review.
Official source and editorial approach
This is Claim Raven's plain-language guide, separate from the official questionnaire. The explanation and checklist were prepared from the linked form. They help you understand and organize information; they are not an assessment of your individual claim.
PTSD Review: official VA PDF
Printed revision: 2025-10-03 ~v25_1
Source checked: September 9, 2026
Source verification details
SHA-256 of the PDF checked for this guide:2137818c5e161eaf8b3f1492132dd7e5ed58e8131eb07794d17ee9fefc78d94b