Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste

Your doctor will complete VA Form 21-0960N-1 (Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste 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 Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste 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 loss of smell and/or taste complete or partial? WHY IT MATTERS: Complete loss (anosmia/ageusia) is rated higher than partial loss (hyposmia/dysgeusia) TIPS: Be specific about whether you can detect ANY smells or tastes; Describe specific examples of what you cannot smell or taste 2. How does the loss impact your daily life and safety? WHY IT MATTERS: Functional impact supports your claim and may warrant additional consideration TIPS: Mention inability to detect gas leaks, smoke, or spoiled food; Describe impact on appetite and nutrition 3. When did the loss begin and is it related to service? WHY IT MATTERS: Establishing nexus to service is critical for service connection TIPS: Document any in-service head trauma, chemical exposure, or sinus issues; Note if loss began during or shortly after service 4. Have you undergone objective testing for smell and taste function? WHY IT MATTERS: Objective test results provide measurable evidence for your claim TIPS: Request UPSIT or similar standardized smell test; Taste testing should cover sweet, sour, salty, and bitter

Common mistakes

• ×Not getting objective testing to confirm the diagnosis
• ×Failing to document the connection between service events and onset
• ×Not mentioning safety hazards caused by inability to smell

VA raters use the Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste DBQ to determine your disability rating. The most important rating factors for this condition are: 1. Whether loss of smell is complete (anosmia) or partial (hyposmia) 2. Whether loss of taste is complete (ageusia) or partial (dysgeusia) 3. DC 6275: Complete loss of smell rated at 10% 4. DC 6276: Complete loss of taste rated at 10% 5. Smell and taste can be rated separately if both are affected For each factor, give your doctor specific examples from your daily life so they can document accurately (not generically).

Common mistakes

• ×Overlooking that smell and taste can each be rated separately

Authority

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

Preparation checklist for the Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste DBQ exam: 1. Request standardized smell and taste testing before your exam 2. Document specific incidents in service that may have caused the loss 3. List all daily life impacts including safety concerns and nutrition 4. Bring any ENT records or imaging showing sinus or nasal conditions 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.