Ask the Veteran or Servicemember if they have any communication or swallowing difficulties. Gather information about the severity and specific type of problem. Ask about the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. Also ask what types of treatments have been used and whether they have been effective.

Ask about and observe the claimant for dysfluencies and word finding difficulties and their impact on daily communication:

• language disorder, i.e., aphasia
• dysfluency, word finding difficulty, or stuttering
• speech disorder, i.e., dysarthria

Ask about swallowing problems:

• coughing or choking directly related to oral intake (difficulty swallowing food or liquid)
• history of aspiration/aspiration pneumonia due to difficulty swallowing, etc.