DBQ vs C&P Exam: Understanding the Difference and When to Use Each

Two terms come up constantly when veterans discuss disability claims: DBQs and C&P exams. They are related but different, and understanding the distinction helps you build the strongest possible evidence for your claim. Many veterans do not realize they can proactively obtain medical evidence on their own terms, and this lack of awareness costs them time and money.

This guide explains what each one is, how they differ, when to use private DBQs strategically, and how the two can work together to maximize your chances of an accurate rating.

What Is a DBQ?

A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is a standardized form created by the VA that healthcare providers fill out to document a veteran's condition. There are over 70 different DBQ forms, each designed for a specific condition or body system.

DBQs matter because their questions map directly to the VA's rating criteria. A completed DBQ gives the VA exactly the medical information it needs to assign a disability rating. The form covers current diagnosis, symptom severity, functional limitations, and a nexus opinion on whether the condition is connected to military service.

What Is a C&P Exam?

A Compensation & Pension exam is a medical examination ordered and arranged by the VA to evaluate your claimed conditions. After you file your claim, the VA decides whether an exam is needed and schedules it at a VA facility or with a contract vendor (VES, QTC, or LHI).

During the exam, the examiner evaluates your conditions and completes the appropriate DBQ forms. You do not choose the examiner, the timing, or the location. The exam is free.

The Core Differences

Control

With a private DBQ, you choose the provider, schedule the appointment on your timeline, and can select a specialist who knows your condition well. With a C&P exam, the VA controls everything. You typically get 2 to 4 weeks notice and can reschedule once.

Cost

A C&P exam is free. A private DBQ costs anywhere from $200 to $2,000 or more depending on the condition's complexity and the provider's credentials.

Provider Knowledge

A private DBQ can be completed by your treating physician who has seen your condition evolve over months or years. A C&P examiner is meeting you for the first time and may have only a brief summary of your claim. They see your full file for the first time shortly before or even during the exam.

Weight With the VA

Both carry weight in rating decisions, but the VA is required to consider private DBQs as part of the evidence. However, the VA may still order their own C&P exam even if you submit a private DBQ, especially if the private DBQ is incomplete, the provider's qualifications are unclear, or findings seem inconsistent with other evidence.

Timing

You can submit a private DBQ at any point: with your initial claim, while waiting for a VA exam, or after an unfavorable decision as part of an appeal. A C&P exam only happens after the VA requests it, typically months into the claims process.

When a Private DBQ Makes Strategic Sense

Private DBQs are not necessary for every claim. But in certain situations, they can significantly strengthen your case.

Your treating doctor knows your condition well

If you have been seeing a specialist for your service-connected condition for months or years, their detailed knowledge is far more comprehensive than what a one-time C&P examiner can gather in a single appointment. A psychiatrist who has treated your PTSD for three years can document patterns and severity that a one-hour VA exam might miss.

Your C&P exam went poorly

If your VA exam was rushed (under 15 minutes for complex conditions), the examiner seemed unfamiliar with your condition, or important symptoms were not documented, a private DBQ from a qualified provider serves as contradictory evidence. This is especially powerful when the private DBQ comes from your treating physician who has witnessed your struggles firsthand.

You have a complex or rare condition

For specialized medical conditions, a private DBQ from a specialist who focuses on that specific area provides expertise that a general examiner may lack.

You need evidence quickly

Sometimes you cannot wait months for the VA to schedule a C&P exam. Maybe your claim has been pending with no exam scheduled, you are facing an evidence submission deadline, or you want to file a Fully Developed Claim with complete evidence upfront.

What Private DBQs Cost

Costs vary significantly based on the condition and provider:

• $200 to $500: Simple conditions like tinnitus, single joint, basic skin conditions
• $500 to $1,000: Moderate complexity like sleep apnea, single mental health condition
• $1,000 to $1,500: Complex evaluations like PTSD with comorbidities, TBI, multiple musculoskeletal conditions
• $1,500 to $3,000+: Comprehensive multi-system evaluations or rare conditions

Is the Investment Worth It?

Consider the math. A $1,000 private DBQ that helps you get a 50% rating instead of 30% means roughly an extra $575 per month. That is about $6,900 per year, meaning the DBQ pays for itself in less than two months. Over 10 years, that extra 20% rating is worth approximately $69,000.

For veterans with solid medical documentation and a treating provider who understands their condition, a private DBQ is often an excellent investment.

Who Can Complete Private DBQs

Not any healthcare provider qualifies:

• Mental health DBQs must be completed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker
• Most physical conditions can be completed by physicians (MD/DO), physician assistants, or nurse practitioners
• Specialized conditions may require the relevant specialist (cardiologist, neurologist, etc.)
• Hearing conditions require a licensed audiologist

VA healthcare providers generally cannot complete DBQs for their own patients due to conflict of interest policies.

Finding a Provider

Start with your current treating providers. Ask if they are willing to complete a DBQ. If they are unfamiliar with the forms, explain that DBQs are standardized VA forms and offer to provide the relevant blank form.

If your current providers cannot help, search for providers who advertise VA DBQ services, check veteran forums for recommendations, ask your VSO for referrals, or look for national companies that specialize in DBQ examinations.

Using Private DBQs and C&P Exams Together

You do not have to choose one or the other. Many successful claims include both:

• Submit the private DBQ early with your initial claim to strengthen your evidence package
• Attend the C&P exam if the VA orders one (missing it can result in denial regardless of your private DBQ)
• Ensure consistency between what your private DBQ says and what you report during the C&P exam
• Use the private DBQ after a bad C&P exam as contradictory evidence before the VA makes its decision

If you receive an unfavorable decision based largely on a C&P exam you believe was inaccurate, a private DBQ from your treating physician becomes powerful new evidence for a Supplemental Claim.

How to Submit Your Private DBQ

Once you have a completed private DBQ, submit it properly:

• VA.gov (preferred): Upload directly to your active claim
• Mail: Send to your VA regional office with a cover letter referencing your claim number
• In person: Deliver to your VA regional office and get a stamped receipt

Include a brief cover letter explaining what you are submitting, who completed it and their credentials, how long they have treated you, and a request that the VA consider it in their decision. Check your claim file online after a few days to confirm the VA received and uploaded the document.

Which Conditions Benefit Most from Private DBQs

Strong candidates: PTSD and mental health conditions (where the provider relationship matters most), TBI, chronic pain conditions managed by a specialist, complex neurological conditions, and cardiovascular conditions with an established cardiologist.

Usually fine with just a C&P exam: Tinnitus (straightforward yes/no diagnosis), hearing loss (objective audiogram results), single joint conditions with clear range of motion limitations, well-documented sleep apnea with existing sleep study results.

How the Benefits Finder Helps

Whether you are weighing the cost of a private DBQ or preparing for a VA C&P exam, understanding what benefits unlock at different rating levels helps you make informed decisions about your evidence strategy.

Use the Veterans Benefits Finder to see the full range of benefits available at your current or expected disability rating.