Having a treating provider complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is generally allowed and can be helpful, especially if a prior Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam felt rushed or incomplete. The VA accepts DBQs completed by private or VA treating physicians and psychologists as medical evidence, and under 38 CFR 3.159 the VA must consider all relevant evidence submitted, not just the results of its own scheduled exam. A treating psychologist who has seen you regularly often has a more complete picture of your symptoms, frequency, and severity than a one-time C&P examiner, which can make the DBQ more accurate and detailed.
That said, there are some practical considerations. VA treating providers are not required to complete DBQs, and some decline because they view their role as treatment rather than disability evaluation, or because their facility has a policy against it. It is reasonable to ask your psychologist directly whether they are willing to do so, and to frame it as wanting an accurate record of your symptoms rather than solely as a means to raise your rating. Most mental health providers understand that documenting functional impairment is a normal part of ongoing care, and raising the topic does not inherently compromise the therapeutic relationship. Being transparent about wanting accurate documentation is usually better than avoiding the conversation, since the provider will need to know the DBQ is for a disability claim in order to complete it properly.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Separately, the VA will still likely schedule its own C&P exam for an increased rating claim, since a private or treating-provider DBQ supplements but does not automatically replace that exam. Even if your psychologist completes a DBQ, submit it as evidence with your claim, and also prepare a personal statement (a lay statement or VA Form 21-4138) describing how your symptoms affect work, relationships, and daily functioning, since this often fills gaps that even a good DBQ can miss.
For an increased rating, you would file VA Form 20-0995 (Supplemental Claim) if submitting new and relevant evidence, or VA Form 20-0996 (Higher-Level Review) if you believe the prior evaluation was misapplied without new evidence. The next concrete step is to ask your treating psychologist directly whether they are willing to complete a DBQ, and if so, request it alongside a personal impact statement before filing your supplemental claim.
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