Stomach and Duodenum Conditions

Your doctor will complete VA Form 21-0960G-9 (Stomach and Duodenum Conditions 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 Stomach and Duodenum Conditions 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. How severe and frequent is your abdominal pain? WHY IT MATTERS: Continuous moderate pain or periodic severe pain is a specific rating criterion TIPS: Describe pain frequency, duration, and what triggers it; Note relationship to meals and whether antacids help 2. Have you experienced weight loss due to your condition? WHY IT MATTERS: Weight loss is a key criterion differentiating moderate (20%) from severe (40-60%) ratings TIPS: Document weight over time with specific dates and amounts; Note if weight loss is despite eating normally 3. Do you have anemia related to your stomach or duodenal condition? WHY IT MATTERS: Anemia combined with other symptoms supports moderate to severe ratings TIPS: Bring CBC lab results showing hemoglobin and hematocrit levels; Document any iron supplementation or transfusions 4. How frequently do you experience nausea and vomiting? WHY IT MATTERS: Periodic or recurring vomiting episodes are specific rating criteria TIPS: Track frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting; Note if episodes are incapacitating 5. Have you had surgery (vagotomy, gastrectomy) and what are the residual symptoms? WHY IT MATTERS: Post-surgical conditions like dumping syndrome have specific rating criteria TIPS: Describe any dumping syndrome symptoms; Document post-surgical complications and ongoing symptoms

Common mistakes

• ×Not tracking weight changes with documented evidence
• ×Failing to bring lab results showing anemia
• ×Not describing how pain relates to meals and daily activities

VA raters use the Stomach and Duodenum Conditions DBQ to determine your disability rating. The most important rating factors for this condition are: 1. Severity and frequency of pain episodes 2. Weight loss and nutritional status 3. Presence of anemia (hematemesis or melena) 4. Frequency of nausea and vomiting episodes 5. Post-surgical residuals (dumping syndrome, stricture) 6. Whether symptoms are recurring and incapacitating For each factor, give your doctor specific examples from your daily life so they can document accurately (not generically).

Common mistakes

• ×Overlooking post-surgical symptoms like dumping syndrome

Authority

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

Preparation checklist for the Stomach and Duodenum Conditions DBQ exam: 1. Bring endoscopy results and imaging showing ulcer disease 2. Document weight history over the past year 3. Bring lab results including CBC and iron studies 4. Track nausea and vomiting episodes with a symptom diary 5. If post-surgical, describe all residual symptoms in detail 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.