VA Form 21-0960G-4 INTESTINAL SURGERY (BOWEL RESECTION, COLOSTOMY, ILEOSTOM

OMB Approved No. 2900-0778
Respondent Burden: 15 Minutes
Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

INTESTINAL SURGERY (BOWEL RESECTION, COLOSTOMY, ILEOSTOMY)
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

NOTE TO PHYSICIAN - 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. VA reserves the right to confirm the authenticity of ALL DBQs completed by
private health care providers.
SECTION I - DIAGNOSIS
1A. HAS THE VETERAN HAD INTESTINAL SURGERY?
YES
NO
(If "Yes," complete Item 1B)
NOTE: These are the diagnoses determined during this current evaluation of the claimed condition(s) listed below. If there is no diagnosis, if the diagnosis is different
from a previous diagnosis for this condition, or if there is a diagnosis of a complication due to the claimed condition, explain your findings and reasons in the Remarks
section. Date of diagnosis can be the date of the evaluation if the clinician is making the initial diagnosis, or an approximate date is determined through record review or
reported history.
1B. SELECT THE VETERAN'S CONDITION (check all that apply)
RESECTION OF THE SMALL INTESTINE

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

RESECTION OF THE LARGE INTESTINE

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

PERITONEAL ADHESIONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
RESECTION OF THE LARGE OR SMALL
INTESTINE. IF CHECKED, ALSO COMPLETE VA
FORM 21-0960G-6, PERITONEAL ADHESIONS
DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

PERSISTENT FISTULA

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

OTHER INTESTINAL SURGERY, SPECIFY DIAGNOSES BELOW, PROVIDING ONLY DIAGNOSES THAT PERTAIN TO INTESTINAL SURGERY:
OTHER DIAGNOSIS #1:
ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

OTHER DIAGNOSIS #2:
1C. IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSES THAT PERTAIN TO INTESTINAL SURGERY, LIST USING ABOVE FORMAT:

SECTION II - MEDICAL HISTORY
2A. DESCRIBE THE HISTORY (including onset and course) OF THE VETERAN'S INTESTINAL SURGERY (brief summary):

2B. IS CONTINUOUS MEDICATION REQUIRED FOR CONTROL OF THE VETERAN'S INTESTINAL CONDITION(S)?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," list only those medications required for the intestinal conditions)

SECTION III - SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
3A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY INTESTINAL SURGERY?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," check all that apply)

Slight symptoms attributable to resection of large intestine. If checked, describe:
Moderate symptoms attributable to resection of large intestine. If checked, describe:
Severe symptoms, objectively supported by examination findings, attributable to resection of large intestine. If checked,describe:
Abdominal pain and/or colic pain. If checked, describe:
Diarrhea. If checked, describe:
Alternating diarrhea and constipation. If checked, describe:
Abdominal distension. If checked, describe:
Anemia. If checked, provide hemoglobin/hematocrit in Section 9, Diagnostic Testing.
Nausea. If checked, describe:
Vomiting. If checked, describe:
Pulling pain on attempting work or aggravated by movements of the body. If checked, describe:
Other, describe:

VA FORM
XXX XXXX

21-0960G-4

SUPERSEDES VA FORM 21-0960G-4, OCT 2012,
WHICH WILL NOT BE USED.

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SECTION IV - WEIGHT LOSS
4A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE WEIGHT LOSS OR INABILITY TO GAIN WEIGHT ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTESTINAL SURGERY?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," complete Items 4B thru 4D)

4B. PROVIDE VETERAN'S BASELINE WEIGHT AND CURRENT WEIGHT (For VA purposes, baseline weight is the average weight for a 2-year period preceding

onset of disease.)

Current weight:

Baseline weight:

4C. HAS THE VETERAN'S WEIGHT LOSS BEEN SUSTAINED FOR 3 MONTHS OR LONGER?
YES

NO

4D. HAS THE VETERAN BEEN UNABLE TO REGAIN WEIGHT DESPITE APPROPRIATE THERAPY?
YES

NO

SECTION V - ABSORPTION AND NURTITION
5. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY INTERFERENCE WITH ABSORPTION AND NUTRITION ATTRIBUTABLE TO RESECTION OF THE SMALL INTESTINE?
YES

NO

NOT APPLICABLE

IF YES, DOES THIS CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF HEALTH OBJECTIVELY SUPPORTED BY EXAMINATION FINDINGS INCLUDING DEFINITE AND/OR MATERIAL
WEIGHT LOSS?
YES

NO

IF YES, IS IMPAIRMENT OF HEALTH SEVERE?
YES

NO

INDICATE SEVERITY OF INTERFERENCE WITH ABSORPTION AND NUTRITION:
Marked

Definite

SECTION VI - OSTOMY
6. DID THE VETERAN'S INTESTINAL CONDITION REQUIRE AN ILEOSTOMY OR COLOSTOMY?
YES

NO

IF YES, DESCRIBE:

SECTION VII - FISTULA
7. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE OR SHE EVER HAD A PERSISTENT INTESTINAL FISTULA ATTRIBUTABLE TO A SURGICAL INTESTINAL CONDITION?
YES

NO

IF YES, DOES THE VETERAN HAVE FECAL DISCHARGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS?
YES

NO

IF YES, INDICATE THE SEVERITY AND FREQUENCY OF FECAL DISCHARGE (check all that apply):
Slight
Copious
Infrequent
Frequent
Constant
Other, describe:

SECTION VIII - OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS
8A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY SCARS (surgical or otherwise) RELATED TO ANY CONDITIONS OR TO THE TREATMENT OF ANY CONDITIONS LISTED IN
THE DIAGNOSIS SECTION?
YES

NO

IF YES, ARE ANY OF THE SCARS PAINFUL OR UNSTABLE, HAVE A TOTAL AREA EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 39 SQUARE CM (6 square inches); OR ARE
LOCATED ON THE HEAD, FACE OR NECK?
YES

NO

IF YES, ALSO COMPLETE VA FORM 21-0960F-1, SCARS/DISFIGUREMENT DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE.
IF NO, PROVIDE LOCATION AND MEASURMENTS OF SCAR IN CENTIMETERS.
LOCATION:
MEASUREMENTS: Length

cm X width

cm.

NOTE: An "unstable scar" is one where, for any reason, there is frequent loss of covering of the skin over the scar. If there are multiple scars, enter additional locations and measurements
in the Remarks section below. It is not necessary to also complete a Scars DBQ.
8B. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS RELATED TO ANY
CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE DIAGNOSIS SECTION?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," describe (brief summary):

VA FORM 21-0960G-4, XXX XXXX

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SECTION IX - DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
NOTE: If imaging studies, diagnostic procedures or laboratory testing have been performed and reflect the veteran's current condition, no further studies or testing are
required for this examination.
9A. HAS LABORATORY TESTING BEEN PERFORMED?
YES

NO

(If "Yes, check all that apply)

CBC (if anemia due to any intestinal condition is suspected or present)
Date of test:
Hemoglobin:

Hematocrit:

White blood cell count:

Platelets:

Other (Specify)
Date of test:
Results:
9B. HAVE IMAGING STUDIES OR DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES BEEN PERFORMED AND ARE THE RESULTS AVAILABLE?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):

9C. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SIGNIFICANT DIAGNOSTIC TEST FINDINGS AND/OR RESULTS?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):

SECTION X - FUNCTIONAL IMPACT
10. DO ANY OF THE VETERAN'S INTESTINAL SURGERY RESIDUALS IMPACT HIS OR HER ABILITY TO WORK?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," describe the impact of each of the veteran's surgery residuals including any ongoing symptoms of original cause of surgery that may
be hard to distinguish from post-surgical residuals, providing one or more examples)

SECTION XI - REMARKS
11. REMARKS (If any)

SECTION XII - PHYSICIAN'S CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

CERTIFICATION - To the best of my knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate, complete and current.
12A. PHYSICIAN'S SIGNATURE
12D. PHYSICIAN'S PHONE AND FAX NUMBER

12B. PHYSICIAN'S PRINTED NAME
12E. PHYSICIAN'S MEDICAL LICENSE NUMBER

12C. DATE SIGNED
12F. PHYSICIAN'S ADDRESS

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

IMPORTANT - Physician 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.benefits.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, 58VA21/22/28, Compensation, Pension, Education and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Records - VA,
published in the Federal Register. Your obligation to respond is voluntary. 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 15 minutes to review the instructions, find the information, and complete a 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 21-0960G-4, XXX XXXX

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