ALCOAST 172/20 - MAY 2020 UPDATE TO REQUIREMENT TO COMPLETE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRES (DBQS) WITH COAST GUARD PHYSICAL DISABILITY EVALUTION BOARDS

united states coast guard

R 130909 MAY 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N06150//
ALCOAST 172/20
COMDTNOTE 6150
SUBJ: UPDATE TO REQUIREMENT TO COMPLETE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)
DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRES (DBQS) WITH COAST GUARD PHYSICAL DISABILITY
EVALUTION BOARDS
A. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1 (series)
1. REF (A) requires that a VA DBQ be completed by a Coast Guard Medical
Officer (MO) when an unfitting condition leading to a medical board is required.
2. The VA has removed all public facing DBQ forms due to their improved
compensation and pension exam processes.
3. Effective immediately, medical evaluation boards for Coast Guard personnel
will no longer be required to include a DBQ. However, these are an important
tool for adjudicators as they provide comprehensive medical information required
for an informed disability determination. It is strongly encouraged that CG MOs
ask specialty consultants to complete these forms for CG members being evaluated
in the Physical Disability Evaluation System.
4. PSC-PSD will make VA DBQ forms available on their CGPortal page at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-
Resources-CG-1/Personnel-Service-Center-PSC/Personnel-Services-Division-
PSC-PSD/Disability-Evaluation-Branch-PSC-PSD-MED/.
5. POC (policy): CDR J. S. Ahluwalia, Chief, Occupational Medicine,
COMDT (CG-1121), 202-475-5212, Jaspal.S.Ahluwalia@uscg.mil.
6. POC (DBQs): CAPT Robert V. Sigh, PSD-PSC-med, 202-795-6651,
Robert.V.Sigh@uscg.mil.
7. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.