DISABILITY COMPENSATION

DISABILITY BENEFIT QUESTIONNAIRE (DBQ)

Disabilities determined by VA to be related to your military service can lead to monthly non-taxable compensation, enrollment in the 

VA health care system, a 10-point hiring preference for federal employment and other important benefits. Ask your VA 

representative or Veterans Service Organization representative about Disability Compensation, Pension, Health Care, Caregiver 

Program, Career Services, Educational Assistance, Home Loan Guaranty, Insurance and/or Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits.

OVERVIEW

Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) are downloadable forms for Veterans to use in the

disability evaluation process. DBQs can help speed the processing of compensation and pension 

claims.

DBQs allow Veterans and Servicemembers to have more control over the disability claims process by 

giving them the option of completing an examination with their own healthcare providers instead of 

at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility.

DBQs enable private health care providers to capture important information needed by VA to 

accurately evaluate and promptly decide Veterans’ claims for benefits.

More than 70 DBQs are available that use check boxes and standardized language to streamline the 

process. DBQs average about seven pages in length. Veterans are responsible for any fees their 

private providers may charge for completing a DBQ. 

Visit the DBQ Website for more information. 

HOW TO FIND AND SUBMIT A DBQ?

The DBQ process involves four steps:

1) Access the form online.

2) Have your healthcare provider complete the form;

3) Save a copy for your records; and

4) Submit the form to VA.
Compensation Service –February 2015 

VBA TRANSFORMATION 

DBQs are an important example of the initiatives Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is 

implementing under its Transformation Plan. The goals of VBA’s Transformation are:

 eliminate the backlog in disability claims; 

 increase access to services and benefits; and 

 end Veteran homelessness 

VBA is committed to providing world-class service by transforming the way it does business. People, 

process, and technology changes will help VBA reach its goal of increasing efficiency and engaging 

Veterans, Servicemembers, their families, and survivors – when, where, and how they desire. 

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 

VBA serves as a leading advocate for Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families. VBA’s mission is 

to deliver with excellence benefits and services that honor their military service, assist them in their 

readjustment, enhance their lives, and engender their full trust. 

VBA is responsible for: 

• compensation and pension programs for Veterans and their survivors; 

• education programs for Veterans, Servicemembers, and certain Veterans’ dependents and survivors; 

• home loan guaranty programs for Veterans, certain spouses, and Servicemembers; 

• life insurance programs for Servicemembers, their families, and Veterans; and 

• vocational rehabilitation and employment programs for Veterans and Servicemembers with serviceconnected disabilities who need help preparing for, finding, and keeping suitable jobs.