C&P Exam for Larynx, stenosis of, including residuals of laryngeal trauma (DC 6520)
Read the C&P exam preparation guideWhat happens at the exam, what 38 CFR Part 4 requires the examiner to record, and what to bring.
Which form the examiner uses
For larynx, stenosis of, including residuals of laryngeal trauma (DC 6520), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):
- DBQ ENT Sinusitis, Rhinitis and Other Conditions of the Nose, Throat, Larynx and Pharynx (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
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 sinusitis, rhinitis, and other conditions of the nose, throat, larynx, and pharynx, including deviated septum and laryngeal/pharyngeal disorders.
How DC 6520 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-III and IX-XII of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections IV-VIII cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.
7 of 12 sections apply to DC 6520 on this DBQ
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
- 1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire: 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(s), explain your findings and reasons…
- 1B. Select diagnoses associated with the claimed condition(s) (check all that apply): The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis associated with any claimed condition(s) listed above. (Explain your findings and reasons in the Remarks section) Chronic sinusitis ICD code: Date of diagnosis: Allergic rhinitis ICD code: Date of diagnosis: Non-allergic rhinitis ICD code: Date of diagnosis:…
- 1C. If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to the sinuses, nose, throat, larynx or pharynx condition(s), list using above format:
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
- 2A. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's sinus, nose, throat, larynx, or pharynx condition: Sinusitis/Rhinitis and Other Conditions of the Nose, Throat, Larynx and Pharynx
NOSE, THROAT, LARYNX OR PHARYNX CONDITIONS (Section III)
- 3A. Does the Veteran have any of the following nose, throat, larynx or pharynx conditions? Yes No If no, proceed to Section 4: If yes, check all that apply: Sinusitis (If checked, complete Section 4 below) Rhinitis (If checked, complete Section 5 below) Larynx or pharynx condition (If checked, complete Section 6 below)
SINUSITIS (Section IV)
- 4A. Indicate the sinuses/type of sinusitis currently affected by the Veteran's chronic sinusitis. Check all that apply: None Maxillary Frontal Ethmoid Sphenoid Pansinusitis
- 4B. Has the Veteran had a sinus-related surgical procedure? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Repeated sinus-related surgeries (of any type) Radical (open sinus) surgery If the Veteran has had radical sinus surgery, did chronic osteomyelitis follow the surgery? Yes No
- 4C. Describe any findings, signs or symptoms attributable to chronic sinusitis: Check all that apply: Chronic sinusitis detected only by imaging studies (See Diagnostic Testing Section) Headaches Pain of affected sinus Tenderness of affected sinus Purulent discharge
- 4D. Does the Veteran have near constant sinusitis? Yes No
- 4E. Has the Veteran had non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and purulent discharge or crusting in the past 12 months? Yes No If yes, provide the total number of non-incapacitating episodes over the past 12 months: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 or more
- 4F. Has the Veteran had incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged (4 to 6 weeks) of antibiotics treatment in the past 12 months? NOTE - For VA purposes, an incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment prescribed by a physician. Yes No If yes, provide the total number of incapacitating episodes of sinusitis requiring prolonged (4 to 6 weeks) of…
RHINITIS (Section V)
- 5A. Is there greater than 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides due to rhinitis? Yes No
- 5B. Is there complete obstruction on the left side due to rhinitis? Yes No
- 5C. Is there complete obstruction on the right side due to rhinitis? Yes No
- 5D. Is there permanent hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates? Yes No
- 5E. Are there nasal polyps? Yes No
- 5F. Does the Veteran have any of the following granulomatous conditions? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Granulomatous rhinitis Rhinoscleroma Wegener's granulomatosis Lethal midline granuloma Other granulomatous infection Describe:
LARYNX AND PHARYNX CONDITIONS (Section VI)
- 6A. Does the Veteran have chronic laryngitis? Yes No If yes, does the Veteran have any of the following symptoms due to chronic laryngitis? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Hoarseness If checked, describe frequency: Inflammation of vocal cords
- 6B. Has the Veteran had a laryngectomy? Yes No If yes, specify: Total laryngectomy Partial laryngectomy If checked, does the Veteran have any residuals of the partial laryngectomy? Yes No
- 6C. Does the Veteran have laryngeal stenosis, including residuals of laryngeal trauma (unilateral or bilateral)? Yes No If yes, assess for upper airway obstruction with pulmonary function testing to include the Flow-Volume Loop, and provide results in the Diagnostic Testing Section.
- 6D. Does the Veteran have complete organic aphonia? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Constant inability to speak above a whisper Constant inability to communicate by speech Other Describe:
- 6E. Does the Veteran have incomplete organic aphonia? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Hoarseness If checked, describe frequency: Inflammation of vocal cords Inflammation of mucous membrane Thickening of vocal cords
- 6F. Has the Veteran had a permanent tracheostomy? Yes No If yes, describe reason for tracheostomy and potential for decannulation:
- 6G. Has the Veteran had an injury to the pharynx? Yes No If yes, check all findings, signs and symptoms that apply: Obstruction of the pharynx Obstruction of the nasopharynx Stricture of the pharynx Sinusitis/Rhinitis and Other Conditions of the Nose, Throat, Larynx and Pharynx
- 6H. Does the Veteran have vocal cord paralysis or any other pharyngeal or laryngeal conditions? Yes No If yes, describe:
DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM (Section VII)
- 7A. Is there at least 50% obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides due to traumatic septal deviation? Yes No
- 7B. Is there complete obstruction on left side due to traumatic septal deviation? Yes No
- 7C. Is there complete obstruction on right side due to traumatic septal deviation? Yes No
TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section VIII)
- 8A. Does the Veteran currently have, or has had, a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any condition in the diagnosis section? Yes No If yes, complete the following section.
- 8B. Is the neoplasm: Benign Malignant If malignant complete the following: Active In remission Primary Secondary (metastatic) (If secondary, indicate the primary site, if known):
- 8C. Has the Veteran completed treatment or is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases? Yes No; watchful waiting If yes, indicate type of treatment the Veteran is currently undergoing or has completed (check all that apply): Treatment completed Surgery If checked, describe: Date(s) of surgery:
- 8D. Does the Veteran currently have any residuals or complications due to the neoplasm (including metastases) or its treatment, other than those already documented in the report above? Yes No If yes, list residuals or complications (brief summary), and also complete the appropriate questionnaire:
- 8E. If there are additional benign or malignant neoplasms or metastases related to any of the diagnoses in the diagnosis section, describe using the above format:
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section IX)
- 9A. 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):
- 9B. Does the Veteran have loss of part of the nose or other scars of the nose exposing both nasal passages? Yes No
- 9C. Does the Veteran have loss of part of the nose or other scars causing loss of part of one ala? Yes No
- 9D. Does the Veteran have loss of part of the nose or other scars causing any other disfigurement? Yes No Sinusitis/Rhinitis and Other Conditions of the Nose, Throat, Larynx and Pharynx
- 9E. 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 above? Yes No If yes, also complete the appropriate dermatological questionnaire.
- 9F. Comments, if any:
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section X)
- 10A. Have clinically relevant imaging studies of the sinuses or other areas 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: X-rays: Date: Results: Other: Date: Results:
- 10B. Has endoscopy been performed? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Nasal endoscopy Date: Results: Laryngeal endoscopy Date: Results: Bronchoscopy Date: Results: Other endoscopy Date: Results:
- 10C. Has the Veteran had a biopsy of the larynx or pharynx? Yes No If yes, complete the following: Site of biopsy: Date: Results: Benign Pre-malignant Malignant Describe results:
- 10D. Has the Veteran had pulmonary function testing to assess for upper airway obstruction due to laryngeal stenosis? Yes No If yes, indicate results: FEV-1 of 71 to 80% predicted FEV-1 of 56 to 70% predicted FEV-1 of 40 to 55% predicted FEV-1 less than 40% predicted
- 10E. 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):
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section XI)
- 11A. 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:
REMARKS (Section XII)
- 12A. Remarks (if any – please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).
Rating Levels for DC 6520
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.
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.