DBQ VA Mental Health Exams (aka Compensation & Pension Exams or C&P) for Veterans
You served your country. But now, you find yourself struggling with your mental health.
It’s seriously affecting you or your loved ones.
You are stressed out.
If you are seeking a DBQ Exam to support your claim for a Mental Health VA Rating, you want someone who has experience serving Veterans with mental health disabilities. I conduct a thorough evaluation.
If you are wondering where to go for private DBQ VA Exam, you’ve come to the right place if your claim is related to your mental health. As a former VA psychologist, program manager, and psychology training director, I have many years of experience serving Veterans. I now serve Veterans through my private practice, focusing on independent psychological opinions.
DBQ Disability Exam* (in any of the PSYPACT states)
(Independent Psychological Opinion Based on Disability Exam)
*Exams can be conducted through secure video-conferencing for Veterans physically located in any of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Dr. Rodriguez is authorized to practice telepsychology into these states with her APIT (Authorization to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) from the PSYPACT Commission.
How the DBQ Exam Process Works
Submit the Electronic Consultation: Free
I will review your submission and will respond by email to let you know which service might be the best fit. If I do not think I can help, I will let you know and we will not proceed further.
Pay for Record Review Service: $250
After reviewing your records, I will let you know if I can provide a DBQ exam that might be of help to you. You will be sent a link via email to securely upload your records, complete forms, and make payment. You must upload past and recent medical and psychological records, DD-214, C-File, benefits decision letters, and other relevant documents.
Make Final Payment to Schedule the Exam/Testing: DBQ Exam ($1750)
My evaluations are VERY thorough. We meet via video for about 3-4 hours. I will administer some psychological tests and questionnaires. I will also conduct any relevant research. My DBQ reports are often at least 7 pages long, with a thorough explanation of my independent opinion.
What is Included in a DBQ Mental Health Disability Exam (Compensation & Pension) Service?
A Thorough Review of all available records that you provide, including military enlistment records, military and VA medical records, private medical records, C&P evaluations/DBQs, Med Board exams, claims and appeals, VARDs, lay-person statements, sworn statement by the Veteran, psychological testing records, and performance evaluations. This can often take many hours.
Identification of any inaccurate diagnoses, missing information, errors, or inadequately supported conclusions on previous C&P exams.
Detailed Research of scientific literature, the DSM-5, relevant BVA cases, VA directives and other relevant reports or documents.
Psychological Exam with Psychological Testing, Scoring, Interpretation, and Diagnosis, if applicable.
Independent Opinion that is in writing and is thorough:
Summarizes the records reviewed and the findings, including nexus (if applicable), with a clear timeline
Clearly outlines the matter at hand (e.g. onset, etiology, course, and/or functional impact) with support from the scientific literature, if applicable
Provides an independent opinion regarding the matter at hand, based on a well developed rationale*
*Note: Dr. Rodriguez offers expert opinions as a psychologist, which aims to be based on an objective assessment, relying on the scientific literature and the standards, ethics, and guidelines of the profession. As an independent examiner/expert, the conclusions that result may not always support the outcome which was anticipated or desired by the Veteran. Dr. Rodriguez cannot guarantee that you will receive benefits or be successful in your claim or case.
Amica Clinical Consulting PLLC is not a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or law firm and is not affiliated with the U.S. Veterans Administration (“VA”). Amica Clinical Consulting PLLC does not provide legal advice or assist clients with preparing or filing claims for benefits with the VA.
What is a DBQ Disability Exam for Mental Health?
The DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire) is a form that is used as part of the Veteran disability exam process, especially when completed by a designated VA Compensation & Pension examiner. Since Dr. Rodriguez is an independent examiner and is not currently connected with the VA, when she does these exams, it is called an Independent Psychological Exam.
This requires both a Records review PLUS an Exam of the Veteran. Dr. Rodriguez does psychological exams that include psychological testing.
These exams can be done through secure video exam in most cases.
Dr. Rodriguez can complete review PTSD DBQs, as well as any Mental Health Disorders DBQs, such as those for depression and anxiety.
To ensure the best use of your time and money, Dr. Rodriguez will first conduct a records review (fee is $250) to determine if she is able to conduct a DBQ exam. If she doesn’t have adequate information (example: records missing) or it is unlikely that the exam results will support your claims, she will not conduct the DBQ exam/report. This will allow you to utilize your resources in more useful ways.
Please note that independent examiners are not allowed to complete initial PTSD DBQ forms. However, in some cases, Veterans may still wish to have a PTSD evaluation by an independent provider.
Conditions Dr. Rodriguez May Be Able to Address
Dr. Rodriguez can only provide services for psychiatric conditions. She cannot diagnose non-psychiatric conditions.
Primary Conditions:
Anxiety Disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, etc.)
Bipolar Disorders
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (MST, combat, assaults, racism-based stress - REVIEWS ONLY - the VA does not allow non-VA psychologists to conduct initial DBQ exams with their forms.
Many Mental Health Conditions that started or worsened in the military
Examples of Secondary Conditions (a primary condition should already be service-connected):
Depression secondary to Chronic Pain from injuries sustained during military service
Depression secondary to a Chronic Pain condition
Depression/Anxiety secondary to Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Depression/Anxiety secondary to Migraine Headaches
Insomnia due to Tinnitus
FAQs
How long does it take to receive my DBQ Exam and Report?
For DBQs, right now, it would be about four weeks after your virtual appointment for the exam. However, this is subject to change and I will inform you of any changes in time frame for delivery. I will try to post general updates to my current timeframes here.
Why should I choose you for DBQ exams?
You have many options when it comes to DBQ exams. It is important to weigh the pros and cons, consider your available financial resources, and obtain advice from a VSO, VA-accredited claims agent, or VA-accredited attorney prior to making a choice. You may wish to consider whether you prefer to work with a company that hires independent contractors to complete these services or whether you’d prefer to work directly with an independent provider/practice. You may also wish to explore timeframes for completion of the services, as well as the quality (example: is the exam thorough, does the exam include psychological testing, etc.) and potential value of the services. It is also important to make sure that the provider writing the letter or completing the DBQ has the relevant clinical expertise. For example, a psychologist cannot diagnose your high blood pressure or GI problem and a GI Doctor likely cannot diagnose a disabling mental health condition. Be sure to ask who will be conducting your DBQ exam.
So what makes Dr. Rodriguez stand out?
I am a licensed psychologist with extensive experience serving military Veterans with mental health conditions. My unique expertise stems from over 12 years of public service to military Veterans as a clinical psychologist, clinical supervisor/faculty, training director, and leader in the local VA Healthcare System. I established the Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Center at the Miami VA and led the program for nearly 10 years. The program provides intensive psychosocial rehabilitation to Veterans with disabling mental health conditions that cause serious functional impairment, including disorders such as PTSD, Schizophrenia, Depressive Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders. I conducted functional assessments due to disabling mental illness for hundreds of Veterans.
I received a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in clinical psychology, with American Psychological Association (APA) accredited pre and post doctoral training in issues of diversity, health psychology, and psychiatric illness. This includes co-morbid medical and mental health conditions, racism-based stress, anxiety disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety disorder), traumatic stress disorders (e.g. adjustment disorder, PTSD), psychotic disorders, and mood disorders (e.g. bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder). I completed rotations, provided care, and/or supervised in various VA clinics/treatment teams, including: PTSD residential treatment program, PTSD/TBI outpatient treatment program, Inpatient Psychiatry, Outpatient Psychology, Chronic Pain, Community Living Center/Rehabilitation, Neuropsychology, Hospice/Palliative Care, Organ Transplant team, Consultation & Liaison, Sexual Health/Behavioral Medicine, and Spinal Cord Injury.
In addition to working with Veterans, I have experience in multiple additional contexts, such as private practice and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). I have also worked in forensic contexts, including providing court-mandated services for perpetrators of domestic violence/intimate partner violence, as well as court-mandated treatment programs for adolescents. I am highly skilled in comprehensive functional assessments, differential diagnosis, and in-depth suicide risk assessments.
I have trained numerous practicing psychologists in psychological assessment, intervention, and consultation. Importantly, I have also completed Veterans Health Administration (VHA) training on Disability and Medical Assessment (DMA) for mental health conditions. Lastly, I also happen to be the daughter of a Vietnam-era Veteran and the granddaughter of a WW II military Veteran.
Can Dr. Rodriguez complete forms for unemployability or social security?
Dr. Rodriguez completes only nexus letters, DBQ disability exams, and clinical exams.
