MAKE GOOD USE OF DBQ'S TO MAXIMIZE BENEFITS.

[broncovet]

 The DBQ is important.  Some people dont know that there is a "national" dbq form which can be filled out by your primary care doc, "even if" that doc is not a va doc. And, you can submit it to VA as evidence.  

   You should check your doctors filled out dbq (VA, or private care) to make sure it is accurate and reflects your true disability picture.  Doctors get it wrong also, but you do have a right to correct errors in your file:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/1.579

   Use the above regulation to correct errors.  

VA's "sly" way of hiding this regulation is by calling it "amendment of records" as opposed to correcting errors.  

    This means it wont show up in a search of correcting records.  So, Veterans are left in the dark.  

     Here is some good information on DBQ's, to mazimize benefits:

 

Edited September 5 by broncovet

[Vync]

Great info. It never hurts to review the DBQ and understand the rating criteria. It arms you with knowledge to ensure the VA and their examiners are not missing anything. Simple stuff like ensuring the examiner uses a goinometer to measure ROM. Don't simply accept an examiner saying they knew how to measure and didn't need it because even one degree of ROM can make a big difference. For increases, be sure you are aware of what is in your records from 12 months prior to filing so you can point it out to them.

[BeachLuver]

Great information, and thank you for sharing. 

My question is what do you do when you approach your doctor and they say that they ‘don’t fill these out’ even though they don’t even know what it is??? I’ve attempted to get 2 of my community care doctors to look at the DBQ where my condition has changed and/or ask them to write a supporting letter that I may use to support my claim for increase (ENT and pain management). I asked my primary doctor at VA and she declined, as well. Neither approach has worked. I don’t know what to do next…

My next referral is neurosurgeon.

A little history on my ‘incident’ on active duty: I fell on my face breaking my fall with my chin/nose, where I lost consciousness for minutes. This lead to me breaking my nose/deviated my septum and breaking my jaw (a small green stick fracture). I suffer from TMJ, breathing issues/chronic sinus-ear infections (due to numerous surgeries has left me with ‘empty nose syndrome’). I also have bulging discs in my c-spine now getting worse with age, stenosis, arthritis, bone spurs and nerve problems to my left ear (losing hearing-hearing aid), jaw/trigger point injections from the oral surgeon). Problems with neuropathy legs, hands, and not to mention depression. 
 

here’s a break down of what I have been awarded: 

hearing loss- not service connected

tinnitus      10%

headaches—not service connected

deviated septum, residual of fractured nose, post septoplasty with vasomotor rhinitis and snoring         10%

cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis (previously IVDS)          30%

radiculopathy left upper extremity    30%

radiculopathy right upper extremity  40%

bilateral joint disorder TMJ    40%

total rating 90%

I’ve been waiting on my C-File since February, asked my service agency AMVETS to assist with a claims increase, they submitted the request after telling me that I don’t have anything to increase and haven’t returned my emails/calls. 

 

ANYTHING that you think could help would be greatly appreciated..

 

 

[El Train]

A lot of C&P examiners don't ask all the questions on the DBQ form and check it 'No'.  Be aware of this little trick.

[pacmanx1]

Let’s not miss the fact that the regional office has some say in misleading or misdirecting the C & P examiners. I say this because I filed a simple claim for an earlier effective date of an already service-connected disability. Instead of requesting an onset/beginning date of my disability, the regional office requested and updated status of my current disability stating that I filed a claim for an increase in rating. 

This was a flat out lie because when my claim was granted/awarded, I was given the maximum rating allowed. There was no way I would file for an increase because there is none. When I went to my exam, I asked the examiner why I was there and what was the exam for. (I know I got lucky) but the examiner explained that I filed a claim for an increase in my rating percentage and I explained to the examiner that I filed a claim for an earlier effective date and my current rating was well over ten years. I told the examiner that I found VAMC medical records of a diagnosis and treatment records that prove that I should have been granted/awarded an earlier effective date, but the regional office failed to review my entire records. Even my original C & P exam stated that my original diagnosis date was years before the regional office assigned my current effective date. 

The medical examiner then wrote a favorable medical opinion listing my correct effective/onset date and the regional office completely ignored her opinion and refused to even consider my original VAMC medical records.

[broncovet]

Beachluver:  You really gave the answer to your question, yourself.  Apparently, with the doctors refusal to fill out the DBQ, these docs are not meeting your needs.  There is often a divsion between doctors who treat you and those who do c and p exams or otherwise document your disability.  

Here is what I did when a va doc I had did not meet my needs.  I filled out a change of provider form.  The doctor called me a couple weeks later to ask me why I was changing doctors.  While I dont recall the now irrelevant details, I calmly explained how the doctor was not Veteran friendly, and I felt she was more interested in pleasing her bosses, than in my health care, and even gave examples.  

She promised to do better, and asked me to continue with her and give her a chance.  I did, and after that, she stopped "lording over me" and instead took on a "how can I help you" attitude.  

Therefore, my advice is to either talk to your doctor, explaining your main purpose of the visit is for a dbq, and, if this doctor can not provide this, then you will move on, and then do exactly that.  

Your doctor needs to meet your needs, and it sounds like those 2 are not.  Tell em, to shape up, or get out.  We dont have to put up with substandard medical care.  

No this does not mean you can any doc with who you disagree with the treatment.  No.  Remember, if you could treat yourself, with your knowledge, then you should be a doctor yourself.  Picking a doctor is a judgement call, but you had nothing to say about those docs that was not negative.  I did not hear any thing like, "I have this wonderful doctor who has helped me a lot, but refuses to fill out a dbq."   If that were the case you could ask "Why wont you fill out the dbq?"  Maybe the doctor likes to treat patients not document disabilities and then this doc is not for you if that is what you need.  You dont buy a school bus if you dont intend to haul children.  Pick the one that works for you.  

[BeachLuver]

Thanks for your advice Broncovet! I have been wanting to change providers, and this just might be the push that I need.