DBQs were developed as a specific means to collect the necessary medical information required to process Veterans disability claims.
DBQs provide Veterans with a way to submit medical evidence from their private health care provider to support claims for disability benefits.
A VA Claims Processor determines whether a compensation & pension (C&P) exam is needed. If needed, the Claims Processor will identify if the C&P exam will be performed by a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Examiner or Contract Examiner.
DBQ Guidelines
VA Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam Guidelines
How you will receive your appointment:
VA or a VA Contract Examiner will send you your C&P exam appointment by mail, email, or phone.
Confirm your appointment:
Before your exam, contact VA or VA Contract Examiner to confirm the date, time, and location.
If you can’t make your appointment:
If the appointment time does not work for you because of another important event, call VA Medical Center or the phone number provided by the examiner right away to reschedule.
Questions or rescheduling:
If you have questions about your C&P exam or need to change your appointment, call VA at 800-827-1000. A trained VA representative will help you.
Getting help with your claim:
You can get free help filing your claim for VA benefits from accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), attorneys, or agents.
To make sure they are properly accredited, check VA’s accreditation search through VA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC).
Exam costs:
C&P exams completed by VA or VA Contract Examiners are free. There are no hidden fees.
VA will not pay or reimburse any costs for Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) completed by your private healthcare provider.
VA may decide you need an additional exam to finish processing your claim. If VA schedules an exam, you must attend.
DBQs from non-VA providers:
If a private (non-VA) clinician completes a DBQ, they must fill out all provider information at the bottom of the form and sign and date the DBQ.
Why VA uses its own examiners:
Using VA and VA Contract Examiners helps make the claims process faster by giving Veterans better access to exams.
Report Suspicious Activity
- If a Veteran is missing a VA benefits payment, identifies a discrepancy in payments, or finds suspicious activity with their direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 800-827-1000.
- Veterans who suspect they have experienced fraud can file a report by visiting www.vsafe.gov or calling 833-38V-SAFE.
Fraud Prevention – Veterans Benefits Administration (va.gov)
