Did You Know: LCSWs & VA Mental Health DBQs

Did you know that in certain circumstances a LCSW(licensed clinical social worker) can complete a Mental Health DBQ? Here’s what the VA’s M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual says about it:

“The following credentialed mental health professionals are qualified to perform C&P mental disorder review examinations or examinations in claims for increased evaluations of service-connected (SC) mental disorders:

1. mental health professionals qualified to perform initial mental disorder examinations per M21-1, Part III, Subpart iv, 3.D.2.h, or

2. other mental health professionals under the close supervision of a board-certified or board-eligible psychiatrist or licensed doctorate-level psychologist, including

3. licensed clinical social workers

4. nurse practitioners

5. clinical nurse specialists, and

6. physician assistants.”

See https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000015812/M21-1-Part-III-Subpart-iv-Chapter-3-Section-D-Examination-Reports?query=social%20worker#2h for additional information on who can complete DBQs/Nexus Letters and under what circumstances.