skills/complete-veteran-benefits/references/dbq-router.md

# DBQ Router

Use [VA's current public DBQ directory](https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.asp)
as the inventory. Follow its actual links rather than storing a full catalog or
guessing PDF names. Form families can be split, renamed, or consolidated.

## Selection

1. Identify the diagnosis, anatomical system, relevant manifestations, and period.
2. Locate the current public form through the directory. Open the actual PDF,
   inspect its title/revision, and check provider qualifications and instructions.
3. For an old examination, use its original form/requirements when relevant.
4. Separately retrieve the rating criteria and compare actual findings with
   applicable criteria. A DBQ collects evidence; it does not establish the law.
5. Explain material missing findings without inventing clinical conclusions.

## Routing cues

| Presentation | Starting examination family | Additional inquiry |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Migraine/headache disorder | Headaches | Applicable neurological criteria, DC 8100, interpretation of disputed terms |
| Lumbar or cervical symptoms | Back or Neck | Neurologic findings already captured; additional nerve evaluation only when needed |
| GERD, reflux, hiatal hernia | Esophageal Disorders | Actual anatomy and period-specific digestive criteria; do not automatically select an abdominal hernia form |
| Diabetes with nerve symptoms | Diabetes and applicable neuropathy form | Separate complications and overlap |
| PTSD or other psychiatric disorder | Appropriate PTSD or Mental Disorders material | Initial versus review examination; overlapping manifestations |
| Sleep apnea | Sleep Apnea | Period-specific respiratory criteria and medical evidence |
| Rhinitis/sinusitis | Nose/throat family | Distinguish diagnoses and manifestations |
| Hypertension | Hypertension | Separate cardiac diagnosis if present |
| Painful/unstable surgical scar | Scars | Underlying disability and separate manifestations |
| Tinnitus/hearing or TBI | Applicable specialized examination material | Public availability and examiner requirements |
| Aid and attendance/housebound | VA's current associated form guidance | Entitlement criteria distinct from examination findings |

These are routing examples, not an exhaustive or guaranteed-current form list.
Use more than one DBQ only when it adds material findings or the examination
requirements call for it; do not imply a separate DBQ is always mandatory for
radiculopathy when the spine examination adequately documents it.

## Public-availability limitation

VA does not publish every examination questionnaire for public use. Check the
directory's unavailable-form section. Initial PTSD, hearing/tinnitus, and TBI
are examples that require an availability check. Do not supply an unofficial
PDF as a current public VA form or substitute a review form for an initial exam.
Explain the limitation and use applicable criteria and available examination
records. A missing public form does not itself prevent analysis of the claim.

A clinician must complete clinical certifications and findings. Help the user
prepare a truthful symptom history or questions for the examiner, without
filling clinical blocks as though the assistant examined the claimant.