Conditions (Specifically BACK (THORACOLUMBAR SPINE) CONDITIONS DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE)

3

3E3Cripple

Active Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Good evening,

Finally got all DBQs loaded into tricare and I was curious, so I checked out the main one I am getting boarded for only to find it very disappointing. One of the DBQs for my back…actually both read the same. I was supposed to have back surgery but I denied it for reasons of my own. However, I’ve had the issue for a while, exhausted all options, and now I’m getting a med board for back stuff specifically. However, the provider put in the DBQ that I have no proof of the conditions I listed. This is false, I literally took what my back surgeon stated, lingo from my MRIs and other physicians and used that for my claims. I was told to be thorough with my claims, so I was very thorough and used all of my medical records to ensure I was being honest with my claims. Below is what the provider put in my DBQ. Will I be able to appeal this or get a second opinion? Right now VA states they are in the process of looking over all DBQs so I’m in that holding pattern. Just looking if anyone else has experienced this issue and if so, how did it get resolved? Again, I have records saying 10 years back on the military side and imaging, notes, and records from off base specialists. And this is my main MEB condition.

1) For the claimed conditions of Degenerative disc disease, Vertebrogenic pain syndrome, Lumbar spondylosis (referred by DoD physician), Lower back pain, L5-S1 Modic changes, right HNP, right foraminal narrowing, Spasm in back, L4-5 HNP, bilateral foraminal narrowing, L4-5 HNP, bilateral foraminal narrowing, and Prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc, no objective evidence of Degenerative disc disease, Vertebrogenic pain syndrome, Lumbar spondylosis (referred by DoD physician), Lower back pain, L5-S1 Modic changes, right HNP, right foraminal narrowing, chronic condition of chronic Spasm in back, L4-5 HNP, bilateral foraminal narrowing, L4-5 HNP, bilateral foraminal narrowing, and Prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc, found within the Veteran's medical records, Veteran with acute lower back pain only, no evidence of chronic lumbar symptomatology or that of degenerative disc disease Vertebrogenic pain syndrome, Lumbar spondylosis (referred by DoD physician), Lower back pain, L5-S1 Modic changes, right HNP, right foraminal narrowing, chronic condition of chronic Spasm in back, L4-5 HNP, bilateral foraminal narrowing, L4-5 HNP, bilateral foraminal narrowing, and Prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc within the Veteran's medical records, STR's found with acute back pain only, unable to determine or warrant diagnosis on day of exam with inconsistencies noted with Veteran's clinical presentation on day of exam noted with suboptimal effort with AROM goniometer testing with otherwise no objective evidence of a chronic thoracolumbar spine condition supported within the veteran's medical record, therefore unable to confirm a diagnosis for the claimed conditions of degenerative disc disease in conjunction, Vertebrogenic pain syndrome, Lumbar spondylosis (referred by DoD physician), Lower back pain, L5-S1 Modic changes, right HNP, right foraminal narrowing, Spasm in back, L4-5 HNP, bilateral foraminal narrowing, L4-5 HNP, bilateral foraminal narrowing, and Prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc with this exam.
 
I'd assume you're already diagnosed with some sort of pain condition if not already diagnosed with DDD - that's one part of the equation whether the examiner decided to diagnose you or not, if the diagnosis already existed I'd venture to guess it might be inconsequential. Were your range of motion measurements appropriate? Did everything else seem like it was in order?

As I understand it reviewing the DBQs beforehand stands for nothing but essentially rage bait. You can't do anything until your results come back which sucks but is true.

I suggest compiling all the information on your back to include any appointments referring to objective evidence regarding your diagnosis. MRIs would probably be the strongest evidence if you don't already have one in the books. I'd imagine this is when you'd use VARR.
 
thanks4urhelp said:
I'd assume you're already diagnosed with some sort of pain condition if not already diagnosed with DDD - that's one part of the equation whether the examiner decided to diagnose you or not, if the diagnosis already existed I'd venture to guess it might be inconsequential. Were your range of motion measurements appropriate? Did everything else seem like it was in order?

As I understand it reviewing the DBQs beforehand stands for nothing but essentially rage bait. You can't do anything until your results come back which sucks but is true.

I suggest compiling all the information on your back to include any appointments referring to objective evidence regarding your diagnosis. MRIs would probably be the strongest evidence if you don't already have one in the books. I'd imagine this is when you'd use VARR.
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VSO called me today to tell me my case is with the VA, and in the future don’t read the DBQs. You are correct in stating how they are essentially rage bait. I feel kind of dumb now, but when you see documents saying that you are essentially faking everything, you get irritated. Hopefully someone else new to the whole process sees this post and learns…do not get wrapped up in the DBQ, your VSO will explain it all to you and the VA rating officials will do their job finding what the DBQ doesn’t say. They have your medical records, will find missing ones, and a lot of “physicians” doing C&P exams are not that great at filling them out or doing their job accurately
 
3E3Cripple said:
VSO called me today to tell me my case is with the VA, and in the future don’t read the DBQs. You are correct in stating how they are essentially rage bait. I feel kind of dumb now, but when you see documents saying that you are essentially faking everything, you get irritated. Hopefully someone else new to the whole process sees this post and learns…do not get wrapped up in the DBQ, your VSO will explain it all to you and the VA rating officials will do their job finding what the DBQ doesn’t say. They have your medical records, will find missing ones, and a lot of “physicians” doing C&P exams are not that great at filling them out or doing their job accurately
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It's frustrating because when things are favorable, you're told to essentially kick back and feel confident. When things aren't favorable you're told hey just wait out. I know it's frustrating and I'm not blind to the annoying nature of it all, but I only parrot this because it's true. There's no recourse until you get the ratings in front of you.
 
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