DBQ optional or not

[63SIERRA]

recently my spousie asked her psyc dr at the VAMC  in temple tx,   if she would write a DBQ for her, regarding her long time depression illness,   the Dr informed her that she writes DBQs for nobody.   I would like to  know if it is part of a Doctors job description to write DBQs for the veterans they care for. We have received letters from the VA that seem to indicate that it should be no problem getting a DBQ . Why the Dr doesnt want to write one is interesting, maybe she doesnt want to get involved in the claims process.  The primary care doc that my wife sees wrote a wonderful letter for her, but she is not a psychiatrist and that is mandatory for a mental illness claim. 

[Buck52]

I know what ya mean 63, I think its the Dr's digression or option to fill out a DBQ and most just don't have the time..they have a schedule to follow and when  quiting time comes  they hit that door.

It says on the DBQ they can fill it out or who is qualified.

Unfortunately Most VA Dr's think'' its not my job'' they may get fired or transferred if they fill one out.

It don't hurt them one way or the other....there just paranoid.

(I call  them chicken shi*'*)

Your spouse may ask her why not?'' Dr  if you think you might get in trouble because of it  all you need to do is write these 4 little words ;;  in your opinion it is likely as not' due to or related to'' ect,,,ect,,,

just go on to mention'I need it to get a claim approved and I need your help Dr....humm being I am your patient!

You can also check with a patient advocate and ask them why?   probably be fairly close as what I mention.

Most of us have to get a private Dr to help  But if its a PTSD Diagnose  then the VA Dr have to do it  Depression I think any  clinical Dr can opine, she may even ask her PCP About what she needs. 

some times we can by pass those DBQ's when a Dr gives an opinion and the PCP can do that.

I remember one time I had a C&P And I mention to the examiner I could not get a VA Dr to fill out a DBQ for me  so I sk my PCP to and she did,   the examiner said ok do you have it with you..I said yes Mam, and the examiner used it...also It was not mention in my claim that I have Sleep Apnea  although I was not claiming it  the examiner put that down too that I had been diagnose for Sleep Apnea...just so it would be  on record   a lot of it depends on the examiner in my opinion.  there the ones that really help the rater to make a decision.

However it does give more merit/or credibility when a specialist or qualified Dr helps us in the field of medicine were claiming., but most PCP's are MD's

Edited July 19, 2018 by Buck52

[Michigander]

Hi @63SIERRA I filled a fully developed claim for PSTD secondary to MST and granted my SC claim without a DBQ.  My VSO insisted I needed the DBQ and gave me a name of a civilian psyc doc that I could pay $400 as the office visit fee to write one based on the medical records they would review and give their opinion.  That whole thing didn’t sit write with me so I told my VSO I will stand on what is in my records at the VA and to file my claim without it.  In my case I had a PTSD dx from the VA that includes my mental health couseling notes at the VA, a police report and a letter from my adult daughter describing how she has watched me suffer over the years. My C&p examiner was a young female and the exam was over before I knew it and I even asked her if she was sure I didn’t need to go into any great details about the events I was there for and she responded she had everything she needed already in my paperwork.  Obviously your wife’s situation is different and maybe my approval was the exception to the rule.  I thank God everyday for His favor on my ruling for my claim. 

 

[Berta]

" My VSO insisted I needed the DBQ and gave me a name of a civilian psyc doc that I could pay $400 as the office visit fee to write one based on the medical records they would review and give their opinion.  That whole thing didn’t sit write with me so I told my VSO I will stand on what is in my records at the VA and to file my claim without it."

Good for you!  That does not seem appropriate to me at all-what the VSO suggested- because IMO/IME fees are based on th intricacy of the claim and the time it might take for the IMO/IME doctor to review everything-

if there is a psyche doctor out there charging only 400 bucks for IMOs/IMEs- they ,ust be overwhelmed with business.

Many of us here recommend specific IMO/IME docs-based on our own personal experiences with them.

They determine the fee they will charge.

I mentioned here many times that I believe my fee would have been higher, except I sent, with the medical records, 

a concise lay medical opinion based on my medical research ,which I referred to , in tabbed med recs, in the stack. It took less the a week for the IMO to be prepared.

It was basically a timeline of what  and when- but I did not need to send the SMRs- which can add considerable time and cost,when the claim depends on the SMRs for a medical nexus.

[KC3]

Good morning; I have been blessed to have had physicians fill out DBQ's both family practice, specialist and a psyc doctor. In my humble opinion, during my initial claim I feel that the VA just put them in a pile to collect dust without any care. 

 

[Guest L]

I did not need, but decided to pay the $2,000 for the IMO - DBQ was denied by my Psychologist as he was not allowed by VA to fill one out. 

Paying the $2,000 and being awarded the  rating of 100% gave me over $65,000 in back pay,  it paid for itself and will assist in blocking if the VA tries to reduce my rating.

"Development to deny" 

[Buck52]

The  form DBQ 21 -0960 -P 

Its in plain writing  who can fill this form out even a L.C.S.W. can fill this form out if under close supervision of a board certified Phy Doc

They  say there not allowed to fill out this form is just flat false/or their just plain lying.

https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960P-3-ARE.pdf

Edited July 19, 2018 by Buck52