Tuberculosis

Your doctor will complete VA Form 21-0960I-4 (Tuberculosis 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 Tuberculosis 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 tuberculosis currently active or inactive? WHY IT MATTERS: Active TB is rated at 100% during the active phase; inactive TB is rated on residuals TIPS: Bring sputum culture results and chest imaging; Document the date TB became inactive 2. What is the total duration of treatment? WHY IT MATTERS: VA provides a graduated rating schedule after active TB becomes inactive, typically stepping down over several years TIPS: Document start and end dates of all TB treatment; Include any extended treatment courses 3. What are the current pulmonary function test (PFT) results? WHY IT MATTERS: For inactive pulmonary TB, residual lung function impairment determines the ongoing rating TIPS: Get PFTs done before the exam if possible; Report any shortness of breath or exercise limitation 4. What do current chest X-rays or imaging show? WHY IT MATTERS: X-ray findings of scarring, calcification, or cavitation document residual lung damage TIPS: Bring recent chest X-rays or CT scans; Note any progressive changes from prior imaging 5. Is there any extrapulmonary involvement? WHY IT MATTERS: Extrapulmonary TB (bone, kidney, lymph nodes, etc.) is rated under the affected organ system TIPS: Document all sites of TB involvement; Each affected organ system may warrant a separate rating

Common mistakes

• ×Not understanding the graduated rating schedule that steps down after active TB resolves
• ×Failing to get pulmonary function tests to document residual lung damage
• ×Not claiming separate ratings for extrapulmonary TB sites

VA raters use the Tuberculosis DBQ to determine your disability rating. The most important rating factors for this condition are: 1. Whether TB is currently active or inactive 2. Duration since TB became inactive (graduated rating schedule) 3. Pulmonary function test results for residual lung impairment 4. X-ray evidence of residual lung damage 5. Extrapulmonary involvement rated under affected organ system 6. Need for ongoing treatment or monitoring For each factor, give your doctor specific examples from your daily life so they can document accurately (not generically).

Common mistakes

• ×Missing the window for higher ratings during the step-down period after active TB

Authority

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

Preparation checklist for the Tuberculosis DBQ exam: 1. Bring complete treatment records including start/end dates and all medications 2. Get recent pulmonary function tests and chest imaging 3. Document all sites of TB involvement (lungs, bones, lymph nodes, etc.) 4. Know the graduated rating timeline - ratings step down at specific intervals after TB becomes inactive 5. If you have residual symptoms like chronic cough or shortness of breath, document their frequency and severity 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.