Infectious Diseases (General)

Your doctor will complete VA Form 21-0960I-2 (Infectious Diseases (General) DBQ) after examining you. This walkthrough helps you prepare them. The DBQ is a standardized questionnaire; your doctor's answers directly determine your VA rating. Brief them on these specific points before the exam so nothing important is missed or underdocumented.

Common mistakes

• ×Asking your doctor to just "fill out the VA form" without briefing them - an uninformed completion is often generic and leads to lower ratings.
• ×Bringing the DBQ to a provider who has never seen you before - your treating physician who knows your history will write the most credible documentation.
• ×Going to the exam and waiting for the doctor to ask questions - come prepared with specific examples of your worst days and functional limitations.

These are the key clinical questions from the Infectious Diseases (General) DBQ. Help your doctor understand what each question is asking and give them concrete examples for your situation. Print this section and bring it to the appointment. 1. Is the infectious disease currently active or inactive? WHY IT MATTERS: Active disease is rated differently than inactive disease with residuals TIPS: Provide lab confirmation of active vs inactive status; Even inactive disease may have ratable residuals 2. Have there been any relapses and how frequently do they occur? WHY IT MATTERS: Frequency of relapses directly affects the rating level for many infectious diseases TIPS: Track dates and duration of every relapse episode; Include relapses that required treatment changes 3. What residual symptoms persist from the infection? WHY IT MATTERS: Residual organ damage or chronic symptoms are rated even after the infection resolves TIPS: Document ongoing fatigue, joint pain, organ dysfunction; Each residual may warrant a separate rating 4. Is there any organ damage resulting from the infection? WHY IT MATTERS: Organ damage (liver, spleen, kidneys, etc.) is rated separately under the affected body system TIPS: Bring imaging and lab results showing organ function; Mention any secondary conditions caused by the infection

Common mistakes

• ×Assuming the disease must be active to receive a rating - residuals are ratable
• ×Not documenting relapse frequency and pattern over time
• ×Failing to claim separate ratings for organ damage caused by the infection

VA raters use the Infectious Diseases (General) DBQ to determine your disability rating. The most important rating factors for this condition are: 1. Whether the disease is active or in remission 2. Frequency and severity of relapses 3. Residual symptoms and their functional impact 4. Organ damage rated under appropriate body system codes 5. Need for continuous or intermittent treatment For each factor, give your doctor specific examples from your daily life so they can document accurately (not generically).

Common mistakes

• ×Not bringing lab work confirming diagnosis and disease status
• ×Overlooking fatigue and constitutional symptoms as ratable residuals

Authority

• 38 CFR 4.1 - Functional impairment as the basis for rating.

Preparation checklist for the Infectious Diseases (General) DBQ exam: 1. Bring all lab results confirming original diagnosis and current disease status 2. Create a timeline of relapses with dates, symptoms, and treatments 3. Document all residual symptoms even if the infection has resolved 4. Get specialist evaluations for any organ damage (liver function tests, imaging, etc.) 5. If the disease was contracted in a specific theater of operations, bring service records showing deployment Remember: Describe your WORST days, not your average days. VA raters evaluate the full range of your disability including its worst manifestations.

Common mistakes

• ×Describing your best days or average functioning instead of your worst - VA rates the full range of disability.
• ×Minimizing symptoms out of stoicism or pride - accurate documentation is not exaggeration; it is honesty.
• ×Not mentioning secondary symptoms, side effects, or additional conditions the doctor may not ask about.