C&P Exam Prep Guide for Sense of taste, complete loss (DC 6276)
YOUR EXAM BLUEPRINT
Sense of taste, complete loss
Review the DBQ, the examination focus, functional impact, and the evidence supporting the 38 CFR Part 4 rating criteria for DC 6276.
DBQ used for this condition
- PPublic formDBQ ENT Loss of Sense of Smell and or TasteOpen the public DBQ
What the examination is likely to focus on
No condition-specific items are currently available.
Functional-impact topics to describe
No condition-specific items are currently available.
Which form the examiner uses
For sense of taste, complete loss (DC 6276), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):
- DBQ ENT Loss of Sense of Smell and or Taste (public PDF on VA.gov)
DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.
What the examiner records (full DBQ form)
The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.
This DBQ evaluates loss of sense of smell (anosmia) and loss of sense of taste (ageusia), including diagnosis, history, severity, and functional impact.
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
- 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, 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…
- 1B. If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to complete loss of sense of smell or taste, list using above format:
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
- 2A. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's loss of sense of smell or taste (brief summary):
SYMPTOMS (Section III)
- 3A. 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
- 3B. Does the Veteran currently have loss of sense of taste? Yes No If yes, indicate severity: Partial Complete If yes, is there a known anatomical or pathological basis for this condition? Yes No
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section IV)
- 4A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs, or symptoms related to the conditions listed in the diagnosis section above? Yes No If yes, describe (brief summary):
- 4B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement (of the skin) related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the diagnosis section? Yes No If yes, also complete the appropriate dermatological questionnaire.
- 4C. Comments, if any: Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section V)
- 5A. Have clinically relevant diagnostic imaging or laboratory studies been performed or reviewed in conjunction with this examination? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Date: Results: Computed tomography (CT) Date: Results: Other: Date: Results:
- 5B. Has qualitative smell and/or taste testing been performed in conjunction with this examination? Yes No If yes, complete the following: Type of test: Date: Results: Type of test: Date: Results:
- 5C. Are there any other clinically relevant diagnostic test findings or results related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es) that were reviewed in conjunction with this examination? Yes No If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results in a brief summary:
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section VI)
- 6A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.? Yes No If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples: Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste
REMARKS (Section VII)
- 7A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).
Rating Levels for DC 6276
The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.
Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.
Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 6276
The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code, among issues the Board granted or denied (remanded issues are not included). Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.
- Service treatment records: appeared in 4 granted decisions (6 denied; 10 decided total)
- Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 2 granted decisions (4 denied; 6 decided total)
- Medical literature: appeared in 0 granted decisions (1 denied; 1 decided total)
When the Board found the exam inadequate (DC 6276)
In 44 published Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions involving this condition, the Board found a C&P examination or medical opinion inadequate. Where the defect could be read from the decision, it was most often one of the following (counts are a floor from the decisions on file, not a total):
- 11 Conclusion given without a supporting rationale
- 10 Failed to address a contention or part of the condition
- 5 Opinion relied on the absence of records instead of the evidence
An inadequate exam is usually sent back for a new one rather than decided against the veteran. This is a factual report of published decisions, not advice about any exam or claim; whether an exam is adequate is decided case by case.
Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.