VA Form 21-0960P-2 Mental Disorders (Other than PTSD and Eating Disorders)

OMB Approved No. 2900-0779
Respondent Burden: 30 minutes

MENTAL DISORDERS (OTHER THAN PTSD AND EATING DISORDERS)
DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE
IMPORTANT - THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) WILL NOT PAY OR REIMBURSE ANY EXPENSES OR COST INCURRED IN THE
PROCESS OF COMPLETING AND/OR SUBMITTING THIS FORM. PLEASE READ THE PRIVACY ACT AND RESPONDENT BURDEN INFORMATION
BEFORE COMPLETING FORM.
NAME OF PATIENT/VETERAN

PATIENT/VETERAN'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Your patient is applying to the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for disability benefits. VA will consider the information you provide on this
questionnaire as part of their evaluation in processing the Veteran's claim. Please note that this questionnaire is for disability evaluation, not for treatment
purposes.
NOTE: If the Veteran experiences a mental health emergency during the interview, please terminate the interview and obtain help, using local resources as
appropriate. You may also contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Stay on the Crisis Line until help can link the Veteran to emergency
care.
NOTE: In order to conduct an initial examination for mental disorders, the examiner must meet one of the following criteria: a board-certified or board-eligible
psychiatrist; a licensed doctorate-level psychologist; a doctorate-level mental health provider under the close supervision of a board-certified or board-eligible
psychiatrist or licensed doctorate-level psychologist; a psychiatry resident under close supervision of a board-certified or board-eligible psychiatrist or licensed
doctorate-level psychologist; or a clinical or counseling psychologist completing a one-year internship or residency (for purposes of a doctorate-level degree) under
close supervision of a board-certified or board-eligible psychiatrist or licensed doctorate-level psychologist.
In order to conduct a review examination for mental disorders, the examiner must meet one of the criteria from above, OR be a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW),
a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant, under close supervision of a board-certified or board-eligible psychiatrist or licensed doctoratelevel psychologist.
This Questionnaire is to be completed for both initial and review mental disorder(s) claims.
SECTION I: DIAGNOSIS
1. DIAGNOSIS
1A. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE/SHE EVER BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A MENTAL DISORDER(S)?
YES

NO

NOTE: If the veteran has a diagnosis of an eating disorder, complete VA Form 21-0960P-1, Eating Disorders Disability Benefits Questionnaire, in lieu of this
questionnaire.
NOTE: If the veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD, VA Form 21-0960P-4, Initial PTSD Disability Benefits Questionnaire, must be completed by a VHA staff or contract
examiner in lieu of this Questionnaire.
If the Veteran currently has one or more mental disorders that conform to DSM-IV criteria, provide all diagnoses:
DIAGNOSIS #1
ICD CODE:

INDICATE THE AXIS CATEGORY:

AXIS I

AXIS II

INDICATE THE AXIS CATEGORY:

AXIS I

AXIS II

INDICATE THE AXIS CATEGORY:

AXIS I

AXIS II

COMMENTS, IF ANY:
DIAGNOSIS #2
ICD CODE:
COMMENTS, IF ANY:
DIAGNOSIS #3
ICD CODE:
COMMENTS, IF ANY:
IF ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSES THAT PERTAIN TO MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, LIST USING ABOVE FORMAT:

1B. AXIS III - MEDICAL DIAGNOSES (TO INCLUDE TBI):
ICD CODE:

COMMENTS, IF ANY:

1C. AXIS IV - PSYCHOSOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS (DESCRIBE, IF ANY):

1D. AXIS V - CURRENT GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONING (GAF) SCORE:
COMMENTS, IF ANY:
VA FORM
DEC 2010

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2. DIFFERENTIATION OF SYMPTOMS
2A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE MORE THAN ONE MENTAL DISORDER DIAGNOSED?
YES

NO

(If :Yes," complete Item 2B)

2B. IS IT POSSIBLE TO DIFFERENTIATE WHAT SYMPTOM(S) IS/ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO EACH DIAGNOSIS?
YES

NO

NOT APPLICABLE

(If "No," provide reason that it is not possible to differentiate what portion of each symptom is attributable to each diagnosis)

(If "Yes," list which symptoms are attributable to each diagnosis)

2C. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE A DIAGNOSED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)?
YES

NO

NOT SHOWN IN RECORDS REVIEWED

(If "Yes," complete Item 2D)

Comments, if any:

2D. IS IT POSSIBLE TO DIFFERENTIATE WHAT SYMPTOM(S) IS/ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO EACH DIAGNOSIS?
YES

NO

NOT APPLICABLE

(If "No," provide reason that it is not possible to differentiate what portion of each symptom is attributable to each diagnosis)

(If "Yes," list which symptoms are attributable to each diagnosis)

3. OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT
3A. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST SUMMARIZES THE VETERAN'S LEVEL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT WITH REGARDS TO ALL MENTAL
DIAGNOSES? (Check only one)
No mental disorder diagnosis
A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or
to require continuous medication
Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks
only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by medication
Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks,
although generally functioning satisfactorily, with normal routine behavior, self-care and conversation
Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity
Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or mood
Total occupational and social impairment
3B. FOR THE INDICATED LEVEL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT, IS IT POSSIBLE TO DIFFERENTIATE WHAT PORTION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL
AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT INDICATED IN ITEM 3A IS CAUSED BY EACH MENTAL DISORDER?
YES

NO

NO OTHER MENTAL DISORDER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED

(If "No," provide reason that it is not possible to differentiate what portion of the indicated level of occupational and social impairment is attributable to each diagnosis)

(If "Yes," list which portion of the indicated level of occupational and social impairment is attributable to each diagnosis)

3C. IF A DIAGNOSIS OF TBI EXISTS, IS IT POSSIBLE TO DIFFERENTIATE WHAT PORTION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT INDICATED IN
ITEM 3A IS CAUSED BY THE TBI?
YES

NO

NO DIAGNOSIS OF TBI

(If "No," provide reason that it is not possible to differentiate what portion of the indicated level of occupational and social impairment is attributable to each diagnosis)

(If "Yes," list which portion of the indicated level of occupational and social impairment is attributable to each diagnosis)

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SECTION II: CLINICAL FINDINGS:
1. EVIDENCE REVIEW
IF ANY RECORDS (EVIDENCE) WERE REVIEWED, PLEASE LIST

2. HISTORY

NOTE: Initial examinations require pre-military, military, and post-military history. If this is a review examination only indicate any relevant
history since prior exam.

2A. RELEVANT SOCIAL/MARITAL/FAMILY HISTORY (PRE-MILITARY, MILITARY, AND POST-MILITARY)

2B. RELEVANT OCCUPATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL HISTORY (PRE-MILITARY, MILITARY, AND POST-MILITARY)

2C. RELEVANT MENTAL HEALTH HISTORY, TO INCLUDE PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS AND FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH (PRE-MILITARY, MILITARY, AND POSTMILITARY)

2D. RELEVANT LEGAL AND BEHAVIORAL HISTORY (PRE-MILITARY, MILITARY, AND POST-MILITARY)

2E. RELEVANT SUBSTANCE ABUSE HISTORY (PRE-MILITARY, MILITARY, AND POST-MILITARY)

2F. SENTINEL EVENT(S) (OTHER THAN STRESSORS)

2G. OTHER (If any)

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3. SYMPTOMS
FOR VA RATING PURPOSES, CHECK ALL SYMPTOMS THAT APPLY TO THE VETERANS DIAGNOSES
Depressed mood
Anxiety
Suspiciousness
Panic attacks that occur weekly or less often
Panic attacks more than once a week
Near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively
Chronic sleep impairment
Mild memory loss, such as forgetting names, directions or recent events
Impairment of short and long term memory, for example, retention of only highly learned material, while forgetting to complete tasks
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name
Flattened affect
Circumstantial, circumlocutory or stereotyped speech
Speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant
Difficulty in understanding complex commands
Impaired judgment
Impaired abstract thinking
Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Disturbances of motivation and mood
Difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships
Difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a worklike setting
Inability to establish and maintain effective relationships
Suicidal ideation
Obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities
Impaired impulse control, such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence
Spatial disorientation
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene
Intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene
Disorientation to time or place

4. OTHER SYMPTOMS
DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS ATTRIBUTABLE TO MENTAL DISORDERS THAT ARE NOT LISTED ABOVE?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," describe)

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5. COMPETENCY
IS THE VETERAN CAPABLE OF MANAGING HIS OR HER FINANCIAL AFFAIRS?
YES

NO

(If "No," explain)

6. REMARKS (If any)

7. PSYCHIATRIST/PSYCHOLOGIST/EXAMINER CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

CERTIFICATION - To the best of my knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate, complete and current.
7A. PSYCHIATRIST/PSYCHOLOGIST/EXAMINER SIGNATURE & TITLE

7B. PSYCHIATRIST/PSYCHOLOGIST/EXAMINER PRINTED NAME

7C. DATE SIGNED

7D. PSYCHIATRIST/PSYCHOLOGIST/EXAMINER PHONE AND FAX NUMBER

7E. PSYCHIATRIST/PSYCHOLOGIST/EXAMINER MEDICAL LICENSE NUMBER

7F. PSYCHIATRIST/PSYCHOLOGIST/EXAMINER/ ADDRESS

NOTE - VA may request additional medical information, including additional examinations, if necessary to complete VA's review of the veteran's application.

IMPORTANT - Psychiatrist/psychologist please fax the completed form to

(VA Regional Office FAX No.)

NOTE - A list of VA Regional Office FAX Numbers can be found at www.vba.va.gov/disabilityexams or obtained by calling 1-800-827-1000.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been authorized under the Privacy Act of 1974 or Title 38,
Code of Federal Regulations 1.576 for routine uses (i.e., civil or criminal law enforcement, congressional communications, epidemiological or research studies, the collection of
money owed to the United States, litigation in which the United States is a party or has an interest, the administration of VA programs and delivery of VA benefits, verification of
identity and status, and personnel administration) as identified in the VA system of records, 58/VA21/22/28, Compensation, Pension, Education and Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Records - VA, published in the Federal Register. Your obligation to respond is required to obtain or retain benefits. VA uses your SSN to identify your claim file.
Providing your SSN will help ensure that your records are properly associated with your claim file. Giving us your SSN account information is voluntary. Refusal to provide your
SSN by itself will not result in the denial of benefits. VA will not deny an individual benefits for refusing to provide his or her SSN unless the disclosure of the SSN is required by a
Federal Statute of law in effect prior to January 1, 1975, and still in effect. The requested information is considered relevant and necessary to determine maximum benefits under the
law. The responses you submit are considered confidential (38 U.S.C. 5701). Information submitted is subject to verification through computer matching programs with other
agencies.
RESPONDENT BURDEN: We need this information to determine entitlement to benefits (38 U.S.C. 501). Title 38, United States Code, allows us to ask for this information. We
estimate that you will need an average of 30 minutes to review the instructions, find the information, and complete the form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless a valid OMB control number is displayed. You are not required to respond to a collection of information if this number is not displayed. Valid OMB control numbers can be
located on the OMB Internet Page at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. If desired, you can call 1-800-827-1000 to get information on where to send comments or suggestions
about this form.
VA FORM 21-0960P-2, DEC 2010

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