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The Veterans Voice
Here at Veteran's Law Group, we strive to provide the latest updates in the Veteran's law world. Our newsletter "The Veterans Voice" is just that, stocked full of tips, strategies, and
helpful updates for all your Veteran needs.
CHALLENGING DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRES
Most of us are familiar with the VA’s Disability Benefits Questionnaires (“DBQs”). These templates are the standard forms used by VA examiners to evaluate the disability level of a Veteran’s
service-connected(s) disability level. For increased rating claims or original claims seeking an increased rating, DBQs are per se inadequate for assigning proper effective dates for
disability awards.
Let’s look at a headache/migraine DBQ, see the questionnaire here <https://updates.veteranslaw.com/e3t/Ctc/W2+113/c-zcF04/VWJBQk6g4xClN49-DWF6d_JsW6mk3Cf58b83sN2x86z23lYMRW8wLKSR6lZ3lqW7t77jQ5TMF3bW7
PQB9K9fd2DcW50qsg314v472W1j2r3K6-TJPxW8gRXtq42FRBgW20k0hv6yfJl5W2B0nXT7_tfYcW1Xq2y15qXfbxW2lRdzm6djmptW6GTCpM8k9hPYW1ztwGJ4-QkWCW4GSZF76xGzr5W3wQrdm1GppzxW8xlzN1352FJ0W5nJm5w9kMHcZW2y9QSr82tssYVzZkBQ
1w4DfTW5MtZh7633r2VVJT2SR65MX2_W8jhq8d8V4f99W30W3V-54f39bW3Sy_XK2GPCY-W4yY8L37tdJ95W6jLSq199MFpmW2xlpGN47sPLrW2pwHPZ19Kk58W87W0zW5yfJYyW5WN56_24WxzXf5nySGY04> , and a typical fact pattern.
Like most DBQs, this one asks the examiner to provide details about the severity and frequency of the service-connected disability, and this information is then translated into a disability
level. But remarkably, the DBQ leaves out any inquiry into the onset date of the Veteran's disability level. In other words, the entire period from the date of the claim to the time
of the examination is not addressed. This defect in all DBQs frequently shortchanges Veterans from receiving what should be earlier effective dates for their disability awards.
A simple hypothetical can illustrate the problem. Let’s say a Veteran files a claim in September 2022 for an increased rating for migraines, then rated at thirty (30) percent disabling.
In February 2023, the veteran is seen by a VA examiner, who finds that the Veteran’s symptoms equate to a fifty (50) disability level. In most cases, the VA adjudicator will assign
an effective date of February 2023 for the fifty (50) percent disability award, reasoning that the February 2023 examination was the first evidence of the increased rating. That is
wrong. Under its duty to assist, the VA must ensure that the examiner provides adequate information on all the elements/issues of a claim, including effective date issues. To do this,
the examiner must provide an opinion as to whether the fifty (50) percent disability level goes as back as the date of claim, September 2022, or sometime earlier than February 2023,
the date of the examination. Realistically, the scheduling of a VA examination will rarely coincide with the onset date of a Veteran’s increased disability level. Absent a highly unusual
coincidence, a Veteran’s increased disability will predate the examination, and, for this reason, the opinion should address its approximate onset date. See Young v. McDonald, 766 F.3d
1348, 1352 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (“We note that the Secretary does not suggest that the effective date of a PTSD claim is necessarily the date the diagnosis is made or submitted to the VA.
The Secretary admits that a medical opinion could diagnose the presence of the condition and identify an earlier onset date based on preexisting symptoms.”)
TIP: AN EFFECTIVE DATE DETERMINATION BASED ON THE
DATE OF THE VA EXAMINATION SHOULD BE CHALLENGED DUE TO
THE INADEQUACY OF THE EXAMINATION
Got Questions?
Do not hesitate to reach out for additional information or questions regarding your Veterans Disability Appeal.
Email Us: Consults@veteranslaw.com
Veterans Law Group, Inc., 13446 Poway Rd #338 Poway, CA. 92064, USA
Veterans Law Group, Inc., 13446 Poway Rd, Suite 338, Poway, CA 92064, United States, 8885093124
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