What exaclty is the RO looking for when assessing your DBQ?

[Osccore9]

I am confused, as I have heard different opinions from different vets. Are they looking at the symptoms? What ultimately are they looking for? Are they looking at your occupational and social impairment? What determines the rating the VA gives you?

[syne7]

The simplest answer as I understand it, is that they are looking to document your symptoms, history, and experiences so that they can determine service connection primary or secondary and rate your condition according to the tables and guidelines.

 

[Osccore9]

Hello Syne7,

Thanks for the reply. As I read the DBQ, there is a section that requires to check all symptoms for VA rating purposes. It states to check all symptoms that actively apply to the veteran's diagnoses, how much weigh does this portion carry when determining a rating?

[syne7]

Hello Osccore9,

Which type of condition are we talking about and which DBQ are we talking about?

[Osccore9]

2 minutes ago, syne7 said:

Hello Osccore9,

Which type of condition are we talking about and which DBQ are we talking about?

I was referring to the DBQ for PTSD. What exactly is the RO looking for? I understand there has to be a nexus statement and an in service connection in conjunction with a favorable C&P.

[syne7]

I have no personal experience with PTSD.  However, the rater will be looking for the rating criteria for PTSD and an opinion (if requested).

 

[sunnyh]

Flashbacks, memory problems, insomnia, easily startled, hyper-vigilance,

concentration problems, feeling numb, eating problems, drinking problems,

drug problems, feeling safe problems, trust problems, relationship problems,

physical pain problems.

 

Here's an example of feeling unsafe or being hyper-vigilant I told my C&P examiner:

We have an air conditioner in a window and when the a/c is not in that window

I stress over the window being accidentally unlocked or left open.

I'll scare myself thinking someone is climbing in the window and then I'll

feel too terrified to look, but make myself get a knife and go look.

 

I get mad at anyone who does not lock the front door or back door. It makes

me feel unsafe and insecure, so I make sure doors and windows are locked!

 

>One night a dude did walk in our backdoor that was unlocked.

He claimed he had the wrong door. His girlfriend lived upstairs.

I wasn't home alone thank God.

Him and his girlfriend were arrested the next week for breaking and entering

someone else's  house and holding them at knifepoint to rob them.