Veteran Mental Health DBQ Evaluations & Independent Nexus Opinions | Licensed Psychologist

Independent Mental Health Evaluations for Veterans

A strong VA disability claim often depends on the quality, clarity, and credibility of the evidence submitted. A Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ, helps collect information relevant to a VA disability claim, and Veterans may submit DBQs from their healthcare providers or independent evaluators as supporting evidence. A strong independent psychological evaluation should do more than repeat symptoms. It should explain the diagnosis, clinical history, functional impact, records reviewed, psychological testing results, and the professional rationale behind the opinion.

Amica Clinical Consulting is designed for Veterans who want a careful, objective evaluation — not a rushed form, template letter, or pre-determined conclusion.

This service may be appropriate for Veterans who:

• Are experiencing clinically significant mental health symptoms or have an established mental health diagnosis

• Are seeking documentation related to a VA mental health disability claim

• Need evaluation for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma-related symptoms, PTSD-related concerns

• Want an objective private-pay evaluation from a licensed psychologist

• Understand that private medical evidence should be accurate, complete, and clinically defensible

• Are seeking clarification related to diagnosis, severity, functional impairment, nexus, or worsening of symptoms

• Are willing to invest in a thorough psychological evaluation

What We Evaluate

We evaluate psychiatric and psychological conditions only.

Mental health conditions we may evaluate include:

• Major depressive disorder

• Persistent depressive disorder

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Panic disorder

• Bipolar disorders

• Trauma-related symptoms

• PTSD-related concerns

• Mental health symptoms related to chronic pain

The VA distinguishes between mental disorder DBQ forms and PTSD DBQ forms. For PTSD-related concerns, we can evaluate for PTSD, but private providers do not have access to and cannot complete INITIAL PTSD DBQ forms (as per VA). However, we can complete REVIEW PTSD DBQ forms.

Independent Psychological Exam with DBQ and/or Nexus Opinion: What This Service Includes

A DBQ, or Disability Benefits Questionnaire, is a form used in the VA disability evaluation process. When the VA orders an exam, it is often called a Compensation & Pension exam, or C&P exam.

Because Amica Clinical Consulting is not affiliated with the VA, our service is best described as a private independent psychological evaluation.

This service generally includes:

• Review of available military, VA, private medical, employment, psychological, and claims-related records

• Clinical interview

• Psychological testing and/or questionnaires

• Scoring and interpretation of testing

• Diagnostic assessment

• Functional impact analysis

• Research when clinically relevant

• Written psychological report

• Independent psychological opinion

• Nexus-related opinion when clinically appropriate

• Completion of relevant DBQ forms when appropriate

This service is for mental health conditions only.

What’s Included in the Evaluation Process & Fees

These evaluations require substantial clinical time, record review, psychological testing, scoring, interpretation, research, and report writing, services are offered through a structured process. This service is intended for Veterans who understand that high-quality private medical evidence requires time, expertise, and professional independence.

1. Email Inquiry (Pre-Screening) — Free

The process begins with a free email inquiry to understand the general nature of your request and determine whether Amica Clinical Consulting may be an appropriate fit. Submit the electronic consultation form so we can understand the general nature of your request. If the information suggests we may be able to assist, we will respond by secure email with next steps.

This consultation is not a clinical evaluation and does not result in a medical opinion. It is a pre-screening step to determine whether the next step makes sense.

2. Initial Records Review (Screening) — $250

Before scheduling a full evaluation, we complete a records review to determine whether there is enough information to ethically and appropriately conduct the requested evaluation.

You will be asked to provide (via secure upload to the client/patient portal) relevant documents such as VA medical records, private treatment records, military records, DD-214, C-File documents, VA benefits decision letters, employment records, prior C&P exams, prior DBQs, lay statements, and other relevant materials.

If records are incomplete, the requested service is outside our scope, or the evaluation cannot be conducted appropriately, we will not proceed with the full DBQ exam. This step is intended to help Veterans use their time and financial resources wisely.

3. DBQ Exam / Independent Psychological Evaluation — $2,750

If the records review supports moving forward, we schedule the evaluation and collect payment for the full DBQ exam / independent psychological evaluation.

The evaluation typically includes:

• A secure video evaluation lasting approximately 3–4 hours total (usually 1-2 visits)

• Comprehensive clinical interview: The clinical interview explores your mental health history, military history, symptom development, treatment history, occupational functioning, social functioning, daily limitations, and current concerns.

• Psychological testing and/or questionnaires

• Scoring and interpretation

• Review of relevant scientific literature and clinical standards when applicable

• Diagnostic analysis

• How symptoms affect work, relationships, concentration, sleep, mood, judgment, motivation, reliability, stress tolerance, and daily functioning

• Written independent psychological opinion on nexus, when applicable

• Relevant DBQ form when appropriate

• Written report with findings, conclusions, and rationale

The total provider time spent on a DBQ evaluation is often approximately 12–15 hours or more, including record review, research, testing, scoring, interpretation, report writing, documentation, and administrative work.

Ethical Boundaries and Important Limitations

Amica Clinical Consulting is not affiliated with the VA and is not a Veterans Service Organization, law firm, claims agent, or benefits representative. The evaluator is not on the VA’s side and is not on the Veteran’s side. The evaluator’s role is to provide an independent professional opinion based on the available clinical evidence.

We do not guarantee:

• VA benefits

• Service connection

• A favorable opinion

• A specific diagnosis

• A specific disability rating

• A successful appeal

• A particular claim outcome

We do not tell Veterans what to claim, how to file, or what legal strategy to use.

We also do not provide a specific disability rating recommendation/percentage.

Our role is clinical. We evaluate, document, and provide an independent professional psychological opinion when the evidence supports one.

Veterans who need claim-filing assistance, appeal strategy, or legal guidance should consult a VSO, VA-accredited claims agent, or VA-accredited attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you guarantee a favorable DBQ or nexus opinion?

No. We do not guarantee favorable opinions, VA benefits, service connection, disability ratings, or claim outcomes.

An independent evaluation must be based on the available evidence, clinical findings, psychological testing, and professional judgment. We do not recommend a disability rating - we only provide the clinical findings and opinion about the symptoms and disability, if applicable, we are evaluating.

Is this the same as a VA C&P exam?

No. A VA C&P exam is ordered by the VA. Amica Clinical Consulting provides private, independent psychological evaluations and is not affiliated with the VA.

Can a private psychologist complete a DBQ?

In many situations, Veterans may submit DBQs completed by healthcare providers as private medical evidence. However, initial PTSD DBQ forms are not available to private evaluators.

Can you write a nexus letter?

A nexus-related opinion may be provided only when clinically appropriate and supported by the records, interview, testing, and professional analysis.

We do not currently provide “nexus letters” without a psychological evaluation.

How long does it take to receive my evaluation report?

Timeframes vary depending on the complexity of the case, records available, current availability, and the type of evaluation needed.

You will be advised of the current estimated timeframe after additional details are reviewed.

Can you help me file my VA claim?

No. Amica Clinical Consulting does not provide legal advice, claim strategy, or claim-filing assistance. Veterans seeking help with filing or appeals should consult a VSO, VA-accredited claims agent, or VA-accredited attorney.

What if the evaluation does not support my claim?

That can happen. An independent evaluation must remain objective. If the clinical evidence does not support the requested opinion, we will not provide an unsupported conclusion.

Will you recommend a VA disability rating percentage?

No. A psychological evaluation does not provide a VA rating recommendation, percentage recommendation, or disability percentage.

VA raters determine disability ratings after reviewing the evidence in the claims file.

Do you evaluate physical medical conditions?

No. Amica Clinical Consulting evaluates psychiatric and psychological conditions only.

Does this evaluation include treatment or therapy?

No. This evaluation is not treatment, therapy, or treatment planning.

The purpose is independent psychological evaluation and documentation. You should continue seeing your treating mental health providers as scheduled.

Is this service appropriate if I just want someone to fill out a DBQ quickly?

No. This service is not designed for quick DBQ completion or pre-determined opinions. It is designed for Veterans seeking a comprehensive, objective, private psychological evaluation.

Can the practice complete unemployability or Social Security forms?

No. Unemployability and Social Security forms are not currently part of the practice’s service offerings.