Dbq's

[Buck52]

Some times when Medical examiner Fills out a DBQ he/she does not answer all the questions or most of the questions that pertain to the veterans disability & usually the results is denied.

Some VA Dr's are reluctant to address all the questions in a DBQ unless the veteran request it be done especially the questions that address the veterans disability for his claim.

I am not sure a veteran can exchange a DBQ with an IMO/IME but when submitting your DBQ if you think you have a bad DBQ one that is not favorable its usually best to submit a IMO Also one that addresses your disability.

And while at a C&P its hard to ask the Dr to address all the questions in a DBQ because they don't have the time or just not veteran friendly or whatever, however ask the Dr to Address the questions that pertain to your disability in the DBQ!

Just my thoughts & hope this will save some time on processing the veterans claim's toward a favorable decision.

[georgiapapa]

Buck,

DBQs are good for proof of a diagnosis and can be used as a tool to evaluate the severity of your condition but they are not useful for showing a connection or nexus to your military service. If possible, get a good IMO and a DBQ. If the doctor will only do one, a good IMO is better because it shows diagnosis and nexus.

Unfortunately, many VA doctors do not want to take the time to properly complete a DBQ or an IMO. Secretary McDonald should send out a notice to all VA medical personnel, including doctors, directing them to complete DBQs and IMOs when requested by a veteran.

Unlike the private sector, it is difficult to change from one VA specialist to another if your current specialist is not willing to prepare a DBQ or IMO. When you ask a doctor to prepare a DBQ, proof read it for errors and omissions when you receive it. If the DBQ has an error or if it is not complete, ask the doctor's nurse or medical assistant to get the doctor to correct or finish the DBQ. Sometimes you can get a PA or NP to complete a DBQ and just have the doctor sign off on it. If that doesn't work, at least try to get your doctor to state his diagnosis and opinion as to service connection in his medical notes and then obtain a copy of the doctor's notes and report.

When I call to make an appointment with a new specialist for a condition that might be service connected or secondary to a service connected condition, I ask to speak to the doctor's nurse and I ask her if the doctor is receptive to providing IMOs to assist a veteran with a disability claim. Usually the nurse talks to the doctor and the doctor will say no or say he would prepare an IMO if justified for a fee. If they say no, I call another specialist. JMO

[georgiapapa]

Buck,

In regards to my statement about Secretary McDonald sending out a notice to all VA medical personnel, including doctors, directing them to complete DBQs and IMOs; this notice would be directed to doctors and certain medical personnel qualified to complete IMOs or DBQs. It is my understanding that only doctors can complete DBQs.

[Buck52]

Yes I understand your post makes sense...I notice a lot of veterans lately get a Deadbeat DBQ, (not addressing the veteran disability's) or not answering most of the questions and if the veteran ask the Dr to answer most of the questions pertaining to his disability and make his Diagnose!

in a C&P the Dr's seem to play God In my opinion.

I suppose on the disability that if its SERVICE CONNECTED.

The Dr can write his ''Impression'' favorable to the veteran and state that this veteran condition is likely to as not occured from his military service, not many VA Drs will do this but Most not all but most private Dr's will if the veterans ask and why they need it. Just ask the Dr to use the VA Guidelines with that particular disability he files a claim on.

I recommend a good IMO from a favorable friendly Doc ask first if they will & the veteran can show him the guidelines and how to word the report as to VA Protocol

That's what I did with my claim but I was already SC. I had two IMO's One from a specialist with more in depth of the disability and one from a MD both were close together.

Edited January 15, 2015 by Buck52

[zuniparatrooper]

Buck,

I few points concerning DBQ’s recently had my pulmonologist fill one out for me for my asthma and sinusitis. Needless say it was waste of my time. Mind you this is the same doc that treated me when my PFT-FEV1 indicated 40% in 2005 to current 65%. Same doc that prescribed my Prednisone for asthma exacerbations(avg 2 packets a month).

3B on form-DOES THE VETERANS RESPIRATORY CONDITION REQUIRE THE USE OF ORAL OR PARENTERAL CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATION? He indicates/checks 2 bursts within 12 months. His own medical notes indicates “The patient’s asthma causes daytime symptoms 1 to 2 times per month”. My medical records indicate use of prednisone at least 12 months within the past year.

And here’s the Kicker! Part A-ASTHMA

2. HAS THE VETERAN HAD ANY ASTHMA EXACERBATIONS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS?

Checks NO-And indicates- Not to my knowledge. HELLO DOC!! Prednisone!!! You prescribed it!

I would describe the DBQ form for sinusitis but it’s not worth our time! SMH!

I just think certain doctors are afraid their medical licenses will be taken away if the sign against ole Uncle Sam! Just my craze thought!

Either way I think I got enough medical evidence on his own reports to fight this in my favor! Lord Willing!!

[Buck52]

Was this a VA Doc? if so

yes this is what I was referring too but most VA Dr don't answer all the question they need to Answer or help out the veteran

...It may cost a couple hundred to get a private Dr that is veteran friendly and wants to help a veteran, if you can get a specialist Dr in this field ..is better than just an MD But make sure he/she is qualified...ask him to just follow the VA guidelines & be honest and let the Dr know your trying to be compensated by the VA or asking for an increase that you feel your disability has got worse.

They usually understand.

[Fat]

Great responses all, especially Georgiapapa.

The DBQ is well intended and is actually a great idea; however it appears some VA physicians wont commit to filling out the paperwork and some VA decision makers completely ignore them when making decisions regarding claims.

The only way the idea works is for the decision makers to include the DBQ paperwork with accompanying medical documents as part of the compensation decision process.

Why some use the paperwork or disregard the paperwork is beyond me.

People arbitrarily doing it their way and not the intended way the DBQ was to be used contributes to the frustration and backlog the VA faces.