The C&P examiner’s clipboard, decoded.

The PTSD DBQ walks through symptom domains and an overall occupational-and-social-impairment rubric. The guide explains the cited schedule so you can understand the form and describe your actual functioning accurately.

▶Criteria reviewed: occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Sleep Apnea DBQ records the diagnosed type, supporting sleep study, current symptoms, prescribed breathing-assistance therapy, and functional effects.

▶Criteria reviewed: prescribed use of a breathing assistance device (CPAP, BiPAP, APAP).

The thoracolumbar spine DBQ is a measurement DBQ. The examiner uses a goniometer to measure flexion in degrees. Without that tool present, the measurement is invalid. The numbers drive the tier directly: 30° forward flexion = 40%, 60° = 20%.

▶Criteria reviewed: forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30° or less.

This guide explains how the form records recurrent tinnitus, reported onset, and relevant history. VA considers lay and medical evidence together with the rest of the record.

▶Criteria reviewed: recurrent tinnitus under the cited schedule.

The knee DBQ records flexion, extension, stability or subluxation, and other findings. Separate evaluations may apply when the criteria are met and the same manifestation is not evaluated twice.

▶Criteria reviewed: limitation of flexion, limitation of extension, and instability.

The migraine DBQ records attack frequency, duration, severity, whether attacks are prostrating, and occupational effects. Use actual examples and records rather than targeting a tier.

▶Criteria reviewed: very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

A pure-measurement DBQ. Two tests drive everything: the puretone audiogram and the Maryland CNC speech-discrimination score. Those numbers feed Table VI and Table VII, which set the percentage. No room for narrative — but the test must be done right.

▶The rule that matters: the Maryland CNC test is required, and § 4.86 covers exceptional patterns.

The TBI DBQ scores ten 'facets' of cognitive and behavioral function from 0 to 3 (plus 'total'). The single highest facet level sets your rating — a 0/10/40/70/100 scale. One severe facet drives the whole evaluation.

▶The rule: rate the highest facet — level 2 = 40%, level 3 = 70%, total = 100%.

Major depressive disorder uses the exact same General Rating Formula as PTSD. The examiner picks one 'overall level of occupational and social impairment' box on a 0/10/30/50/70/100 scale. Same cited rubric and rating criteria.

▶Criteria reviewed: occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

GERD is rated on a symptom cluster, not a single test. The 30% tier needs persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation. The rating-criteria terms are clinical — use them, and document weight loss and impairment of health.

▶Criteria reviewed: persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation + impairment of health.

The IBS DBQ records bowel-disturbance frequency, abdominal distress, and severity under the cited schedule. Describe the actual pattern, including changes over time and treatment.

▶Criteria reviewed: diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress.

The Radiculopathy DBQ records the affected nerve group and sensory, motor, reflex, pain, weakness, and atrophy findings used in the cited severity criteria.

▶Criteria reviewed: moderately severe incomplete paralysis with clear motor involvement, atrophy, or significant weakness.

The Hypertension DBQ records predominant diastolic and systolic readings over time and continuous medication history. Report actual readings and treatment accurately.

▶Criteria reviewed: diastolic predominantly 100 or more, OR systolic predominantly 160 or more, OR history of diastolic ≥100 requiring continuous medication.

The Flat Feet DBQ measures weight-bearing alignment, pronation, pain on manipulation, callosities, and response to orthotics. Tiers split on unilateral vs bilateral findings — and the 30% tier has two routes: severe bilateral OR pronounced unilateral.

▶The 30% trigger has two routes: severe in BOTH feet OR pronounced in ONE foot (marked pronation, extreme tenderness, severe tendo achillis spasm, not improved by orthotics).

The Asthma DBQ rates on PFT numbers (FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC) and on the level of medication therapy you require. Tiers stack — daily controller inhalers, monthly exacerbations, or systemic corticosteroid courses all map directly to rating percentages.

▶Criteria reviewed: FEV-1 40-55%, OR monthly visits for exacerbations, OR at least 3 courses of systemic corticosteroids per year.

Anxiety disorders use the same General Rating Formula as PTSD and major depression. The form records the overall level of occupational and social impairment along with condition-specific symptoms and functional effects.

▶Criteria reviewed: occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas — near-continuous panic affecting independent functioning.

The Sinusitis DBQ rates on frequency of non-incapacitating and incapacitating episodes per year, plus presence of radical surgery residuals. The 30% trigger requires 3+ incapacitating episodes per year (or 6+ non-incapacitating); the 50% trigger requires post-surgical chronic osteomyelitis or near-constant sinusitis.

▶Criteria reviewed: 3 or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, OR 6 or more non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

The Wrist DBQ measures range of motion (dorsiflexion, palmar flexion) and presence of ankylosis. Ratings split dominant vs non-dominant: limitation of motion under DC 5215 is 10% either side; ankylosis under DC 5214 climbs to 30-40% (favorable) or 40-50% (unfavorable) depending on position and dominance.

▶Criteria reviewed: wrist ankylosis position and dominant-hand status under the cited schedule.