VA Form 21-0960N-3 Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste Disability Benefits

OMB Control No. 2900-0781
Respondent Burden: 15 Minutes
Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL AND/OR TASTE
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 THIS 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. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE OR SHE EVER BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL OR TASTE? (This is the condition the

veteran is claiming or for which an exam has been requested.)
YES

NO

(If "Yes," complete Item 1B)

NOTE: These are the diagnoses determined during this current evaluation of the claimed condition(s) listed above. 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 appropriate date determined through record review or
reported history.
1B. SELECT THE VETERAN'S CONDITION (check all that apply)
ANOSMIA (inability to detect any odor)

ICD Code:

Date of diagnosis:

HYPOSMIA (reduced ability to detect any odors)

ICD Code:

Date of diagnosis:

AGEUSIA (complete lack of taste)

ICD Code:

Date of diagnosis:

HYPOGEUSIA (decrease in sense of taste)

ICD Code:

Date of diagnosis:

ICD Code:

Date of diagnosis:

OTHER (specify)
Other diagnosis #1

Other diagnosis #2
ICD Code:
Date of diagnosis:
1C. IF ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSES THAT PERTAIN TO COMPLETE LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL OR TASTE, LIST USING ABOVE FORMAT:

SECTION II - MEDICAL RECORD REVIEW
2. INDICATE MEDICAL RECORDS REVIEWED IN PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT:
C-FILE (VA ONLY)
OTHER, DESCRIBE:

SECTION III - MEDICAL HISTORY
3A. DESCRIBE THE HISTORY (including onset and course) OF THE VETERAN'S LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL OR TASTE (brief summary):

3B. IS CONTINUOUS MEDICATION REQUIRED FOR CONTROL OF THE VETERAN'S LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL OR TASTE?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," list only those medications required for the veteran's loss of sense of smell or taste):
SECTION IV - SYMPTOMS

4A. DOES THE VETERAN CURRENTLY HAVE LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," indicate severity)

PARTIAL
COMPLETE

(If "Yes," is there a known anatomical or pathological basis for this condition?)
YES

NO

(If "Yes," describe)

4B. DOES THE VETERAN CURRENTLY HAVE LOSS OF SENSE OF TASTE (unable to detect sweet, salty, sour, or bitter tastes)?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," indicate severity)

PARTIAL
COMPLETE

(If "Yes," is there a known anatomical or pathological basis for this condition?)
YES

VA FORM
XXX XXXX

NO

(If "Yes," describe)

21-0960N-3

SUPERSEDES VA FORM 21-0960N-3, OCT 2012,
WHICH WILL NOT BE USED.

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SECTION V - OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, SCARS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS
5A. 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 THESE SCARS PAINFUL AND/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?
NO

YES

IF "YES," ALSO COMPLETE VA FORM 21-0960F-1, SCARS/DISFIGUREMENT DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE (DBQ).
IF "NO," PROVIDE LOCATION AND MEASUREMENTS 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. It is not necessary to also complete a Scars/Disfigurement DBQ.
5B. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS RELATED TO ANY
CONDITIONS LISTED IN SECTION I, DIAGNOSIS?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," describe (brief summary)):
SECTION VI - DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

NOTE: If testing has been performed and reflects the veteran's current condition, repeat testing is not required. Specific diagnostic testing is not required for a loss of
smell and taste examination.
6A. HAVE IMAGING OR LABORATORY STUDIES BEEN PERFORMED?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," check all that apply):

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Date:

Results:

Computed tomography (CT)

Date:

Results:

Date:
Other:
6B. HAS QUALITATIVE SMELL TESTING BEEN PERFORMED?

Results:

YES

NO

(If "Yes,"complete the following):

Type of test:

Date:

Results:

6C. 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 VII - FUNCTIONAL IMPACT
7. DOES THE VETERAN'S LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL OR TASTE IMPACT ON HIS OR HER ABILITY TO WORK?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," describe the impact of each of the veteran's conditions related to the loss of sense of smell or taste, providing one or more examples):
SECTION VIII - REMARKS

8. REMARKS (If any):

SECTION IX - PHYSICIAN'S CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

CERTIFICATION - To the best of my knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate, complete and current.
9A. PHYSICIAN'S SIGNATURE
9D. PHYSICIAN'S PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS

9B. PHYSICIAN'S PRINTED NAME
9E. PHYSICIAN'S MEDICAL LICENSE NUMBER

9C. DATE SIGNED
9F. PHYSICIAN'S ADDRESS

NOTE - VA may request 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, 58/VA21/22/28, 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 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 21-0960N-3, XXX XXXX

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