diff --git a/app/controllers/v0/disability_compensation_in_progress_forms_controller.rb b/app/controllers/v0/disability_compensation_in_progress_forms_controller.rb
index fe1342c1238..08acc1a67d1 100644
--- a/app/controllers/v0/disability_compensation_in_progress_forms_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/v0/disability_compensation_in_progress_forms_controller.rb
@@ -6,10 +6,15 @@ class DisabilityCompensationInProgressFormsController < InProgressFormsControlle
 
     def show
       if form_for_user
-        render json: data_and_metadata_with_updated_rated_disabilities
+        # get IPF
+        data = data_and_metadata_with_updated_rated_disabilities
+        log_started_form_version(data, 'get IPF')
       else
-        render json: camelized_prefill_for_user
+        # create IPF
+        data = camelized_prefill_for_user
+        log_started_form_version(data, 'create IPF')
       end
+      render json: data
     end
 
     private
@@ -63,5 +68,27 @@ def arr_to_compare(rated_disabilities)
         "#{diagnostic_code}#{rated_disability_id}#{rd['name']}"
       end&.sort
     end
+
+    # temp: for https://github.com/department-of-veterans-affairs/va.gov-team/issues/97932
+    # tracking down a possible issue with prefill
+    def log_started_form_version(data, location)
+      cloned_data = data.deep_dup
+      cloned_data_as_json = cloned_data.as_json.deep_transform_keys { |k| k.camelize(:lower) }
+
+      if cloned_data_as_json['formData'].present?
+        started_form_version = cloned_data_as_json['formData']['startedFormVersion']
+        message = "Form526 InProgressForm startedFormVersion = #{started_form_version} #{location}"
+        Rails.logger.info(message)
+      end
+
+      if started_form_version.blank?
+        raise Common::Exceptions::ServiceError.new(
+          detail: "no startedFormVersion detected in #{location}",
+          source: 'DisabilityCompensationInProgressFormsController#show'
+        )
+      end
+    rescue => e
+      Rails.logger.error("Form526 InProgressForm startedFormVersion retrieval failed #{location} #{e.message}")
+    end
   end
 end