A Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ, is a standardized VA form that captures the clinical findings a rater needs for a particular body system. For blood pressure claims, the relevant form is the hypertension DBQ.
This guide explains what the form records and how it fits with the rest of the evidence. For the criteria the findings are measured against, see our hypertension ratings guide.
What a DBQ is - and is not
A DBQ is a structured record of clinical findings. It documents the diagnosis, the readings, treatment, and related conditions in the format the rating schedule uses. It is not itself a nexus opinion: a completed DBQ describes the current state of a condition, while a nexus opinion addresses whether the condition is related to service.
Many claims need both. The DBQ supports the severity question that determines the percentage; the nexus opinion addresses the connection question that determines whether the condition is service connected at all.
What the hypertension DBQ records
The form is organized around the elements that appear in Diagnostic Code 7101:
- The diagnosis and the date it was established
- Whether continuous medication is required for control
- A history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more
- Current blood pressure readings, generally three readings
- Other conditions related to hypertension, including any heart or kidney involvement
- The impact of the condition on the ability to work
How DBQ forms are used now
The VA has changed how DBQ forms are made available over time, and some forms are used primarily within VA examinations rather than being published for outside completion. Veterans should check the current availability of a specific form on VA.gov before assuming a private provider can complete it.
Where a form is not available for private completion, the same clinical information can still be documented in a treating provider's records or in a written medical opinion. The rating criteria care about the findings, not the format they arrive in.
Where veterans start
Every case is different, and there is no obligation at any step. When veterans want to understand what their records actually support, these are the two most common starting points:
- Medical records review
A licensed physician reviews your records for a $250 flat fee and identifies which conditions the available evidence may support. The fee is refunded in full if nothing supportable is identified.
- Nexus letter
When the records support one, a licensed provider writes the medical opinion that addresses the link between your blood pressure condition and your service or an already service-connected disability.
Why the readings section matters most
Because 38 CFR 4.104 requires confirmation by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days, the readings portion of the record is often decisive. Three readings recorded at one appointment do not satisfy the multi-day requirement on their own - the broader treatment record has to supply that pattern.
What happens at a C&P exam without a private DBQ
When a claim proceeds to a VA compensation and pension exam rather than a privately completed DBQ, the examiner uses the same underlying form to record findings. The exam typically includes multiple blood pressure readings taken during the visit, a review of the treatment record, and questions about medication and symptom history. Veterans can prepare by bringing a list of current medications and being ready to describe how long they have taken blood pressure medication.
Common gaps a DBQ review can reveal
Reviewing a completed DBQ against the treatment record sometimes shows a mismatch - for example, a form that lists only recent readings when older records document a longer history of elevated pressure. Catching that gap before a rating decision is issued gives a veteran the chance to submit the missing records rather than waiting for an appeal.
Pairing the DBQ with a nexus opinion
When the severity is documented but the connection to service is contested, the missing piece is usually the medical opinion. Our nexus letter service provides that written opinion when the records support one, and a paid medical records review determines whether they do. See also our guide to medical evidence for a hypertension claim.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hypertension DBQ?
It is a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, a standardized form used to record the clinical findings the VA needs to rate a blood pressure claim, including the diagnosis, medication history, and blood pressure readings.
Is a DBQ the same as a nexus letter?
No. A DBQ documents the current severity of a condition. A nexus letter addresses whether the condition is related to service. Many claims need both, but they answer different questions.
Can a private physician complete a hypertension DBQ?
Availability of DBQ forms for private completion has changed over time. Veterans should check the current status on VA.gov, and where a form is not available for private completion, the same clinical findings can be documented in treatment records or a written medical opinion instead.
Why do the readings on a DBQ matter so much?
38 CFR 4.104 requires confirmation by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days. Because that is a specific documentation requirement, the accuracy and completeness of the readings section often determines the outcome.