Sinusitis and Rhinitis DBQ explained

What this DBQ covers

This form covers several nose, sinus, throat and related conditions, with separate sections for sinusitis, rhinitis, larynx or pharynx problems and a deviated septum. Those diagnoses are not interchangeable. Treatment history, examination findings and testing help the clinician distinguish the conditions and document the features relevant to each one.

The important sections, explained

Sinus episodes and treatment history

The sinusitis section asks about episodes, associated symptoms, surgery and treatment during a defined period. It distinguishes questions about episodes with particular symptoms from episodes requiring prolonged antibiotics. A general statement that you often feel congested does not answer each of those questions. Bring visit notes and prescription dates, and distinguish a diagnosed sinus episode from an illness or allergy flare that was not identified as sinusitis by your clinician.

Read the official form: page 3

Rhinitis and other nose or throat findings

The rhinitis section addresses findings such as obstruction and polyps. Those are examination findings, so explain your symptoms without estimating how much of a nasal passage is blocked. The form also has separate areas for larynx, pharynx and septum conditions. If your main concern is voice change or another throat problem, identify it clearly. Several conditions can be documented on this broad form, but they should not be combined into one unsupported diagnosis.

Read the official form: page 4

How to prepare useful information

For recurring episodes, organize dates, treatment and the symptoms documented at the time. Bring available imaging, procedure notes and prescriptions rather than estimating an episode count from memory alone. Describe what continues between episodes and what changes during a flare. The clinician records findings such as obstruction or polyps when applicable; you do not need to estimate those measurements yourself.

Records to gather

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

• Dated treatment visits and prescriptions connected to recurring sinus or nasal episodes.
• Available imaging, surgery notes and examination findings for the diagnosed condition.
• A clear account of symptoms between episodes, flare patterns and practical limitations.

A detail that is easy to miss

Check the requested time window before counting episodes. A lifetime total, an antibiotic prescribed for another infection, or a brief course recalled without dates may not answer the form's specific questions. If you had sinus surgery, include the procedure and follow-up records so the clinician can distinguish the operation from any continuing symptoms or complications.

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 1 - DIAGNOSISPage 1
2. SECTION 2 - MEDICAL HISTORYPage 2
3. SECTION 3 - NOSE, THROAT, LARYNX OR PHARYNX CONDITIONSPage 3
4. SECTION 4 - SINUSITISPage 3
5. SECTION 5 - RHINITISPage 4
6. SECTION 6 - LARYNX AND PHARYNX CONDITIONSPage 4
7. SECTION 7 - DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUMPage 6
8. SECTION 8 - TUMORS AND NEOPLASMSPage 6
9. SECTION 9 - OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARSPage 7
10. SECTION 10 - DIAGNOSTIC TESTINGPage 8
11. SECTION 11 - FUNCTIONAL IMPACTPage 9
12. SECTION 12 - REMARKSPage 9
13. SECTION 13 - EXAMINER'S CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATUREPage 9

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 this form treat sinusitis and rhinitis as the same condition?

No. They have separate sections within one questionnaire. A veteran may have one, both or another listed condition, but that requires medical assessment. Provide the diagnoses and findings in your records so each applicable section reflects the actual condition rather than a shared symptom label.

Does daily congestion prove that I have nasal polyps?

No. Congestion describes a symptom, while polyps are a clinical finding. Tell the examiner what you experience and provide relevant ENT records or testing. The provider determines whether polyps, obstruction or another explanation is present.

Can I use one timeline for sinusitis and allergies?

You can organize them together, but label what each entry represents. Distinguish a diagnosed sinus episode, an allergy visit and symptoms you recorded yourself. That lets the clinician apply the relevant questions without assuming all nasal symptoms were the same condition.