The best VA C&P exam tips are simple: be on time, be honest, and explain how your condition affects your daily life, including on your hard days. A C&P (compensation and pension) exam, which VA also calls a claim exam, is a short medical visit where a provider gathers information for your claim. The provider does not decide your rating. VA does that later.
This guide covers what happens at the exam, how to prepare, and the mistakes that can cost you a rating.
Key takeaways
- The exam is for gathering information. The provider will not treat you, tell you your rating or answer questions about your claim.
- Do not skip it. For an original claim, VA may rate you on the evidence already in your file. For other claims, such as a claim for increase, the claim can be denied.
- Explain how often your symptoms happen, how bad they get and what they stop you from doing. Do not downplay them, and do not exaggerate.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. If you must reschedule, tell VA or the contractor at least 48 hours ahead.
- If the report looks wrong or thin, you can ask for a copy and send more evidence.
What is a VA C&P exam, and why does VA schedule one?
VA schedules an exam when it needs more information to decide whether you have a service-connected disability and how serious it is. According to VA's claim exam page, VA only asks for an exam when it needs one. In other cases it may review your medical records instead, using what it calls the Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) process.
- Who does it: A VA provider or a VA contract provider. VA says contractors follow the same training and licensing standards.
- Where: Some exams are telehealth, by phone or video. Others are in person at a VA medical center or contractor location.
- How many: You may have more than one exam if you claim several conditions.
- How you are scheduled: VA or the contractor contacts you by letter, and sometimes by phone or email. You cannot start the scheduling yourself, so keep your address, phone and email current on VA.gov.
What should you expect on exam day?
- Arrive 15 minutes early. A late arrival may lead the provider to cancel.
- Wear comfortable clothes that let you move freely.
- The provider may ask questions from your records and from the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for each condition you claimed. There may be a basic physical exam and tests such as X-rays or blood work, at no cost to you.
- The visit can take about 15 minutes or more than an hour.
- Family or caregivers may be asked to wait outside. You can ask for a chaperone for sensitive physical exams.
- You can ask for a male or female provider for reproductive, breast, rectal or mental health exams, or for claims related to military sexual trauma.
The provider will not treat you, refer you or prescribe medicine. Your rating is not given at the exam. VA reviews all the evidence and then issues a decision letter.
VA C&P exam tips: how to prepare
- Know your claim. Re-read what you told VA and look over your records so dates and treatments are fresh in your mind.
- Write notes ahead of time. For each condition, list the symptoms, how often they happen, how bad they get, how long they last and what you cannot do because of them at work and at home.
- Send new private records first. VA says to submit new non-VA medical records before the appointment through the claim status tool, your accredited representative or VSO, or your nearest regional office.
- Confirm the details. Call the number on your letter to confirm the place and time. This is also when you can ask for transportation help or other accommodations.
- Answer the question that is asked, with examples. "My back hurts" tells the examiner little. "My back locks up a few times a month and I cannot bend to tie my shoes" is clearer. That is only an example, so use your own words and your own facts.
- Describe a typical day and a bad day. VA's rules look at how a condition affects ordinary daily life, including work (38 CFR 4.10). If the exam lands on a better day than usual, say so.
- Be honest and do not guess. If you are not sure of an answer, say that. Do not make symptoms sound better or worse than they are.
- Take notes afterward. Write down the examiner's name, how long the visit took and anything you did not get to say.
What mistakes can cost you a rating?
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Missing the exam without telling anyone | Under 38 CFR 3.655, an original claim is rated on the evidence of record, and other claims, including claims for increase, are denied. | Call to reschedule at least 48 hours ahead. Good cause, such as illness, hospitalization or a death in your immediate family, may allow a new date. |
| Saying "I'm fine" out of habit | The report records what you say, and VA rates how the condition affects daily life and work. | Describe what a typical day and a hard day really look like. |
| Overstating symptoms | It can hurt your credibility, and the report stays in your file. | Stick to what actually happens and how often. |
| Leaving out symptoms that seem unrelated | VA only sees what is in the report and the rest of your file. | Mention every symptom tied to each condition you claimed. Ask your doctor if you are unsure. |
| Not sending new records | VA may not have your latest private treatment notes. | Submit them before the appointment. |
| Arriving late | A late arrival may lead the provider to cancel. | Arrive 15 minutes early. |
What if the exam report is wrong or too thin?
First, ask for a copy. VA says you can request the report with VA Form 20-10206. Then compare it with what you remember and with your records.
VA's rules say the rating board must send back an exam report that is not detailed enough or whose diagnosis is not supported by the findings (38 CFR 4.2). For mental health conditions, the rating should rest on all the evidence of record about work and social impairment, not only on the examiner's view on the day of the exam (38 CFR 4.126).
You can also send your own evidence. VA says you may have your own provider complete a DBQ, although VA will not pay for it. If a decision still comes out wrong, you have review options, and our post on what to do after a VA claim is denied explains them. New to the process? Start with our guide on how to file a VA disability claim online.
If you want help organizing your records and notes before an exam, SustainBL's VA claims support is built for that.
Frequently asked questions
Will the examiner tell me my rating?
No. The provider writes a report and sends it to VA, and cannot share results or make decisions. VA reviews all the evidence in your file and then sends a decision letter.
What happens if I miss my C&P exam?
For an original claim, VA may rate the claim on the evidence already in your file. For other claims, such as a claim for increase, the regulation says the claim is denied. If you had good cause, tell VA right away and ask to reschedule.
Can I reschedule my VA claim exam?
Yes, but tell VA or the contractor at least 48 hours ahead. For contractor exams you can reschedule once, and the new date must be within 5 days of the original. Rescheduling may delay your claim.
Do I need to bring my medical records to the exam?
VA says you do not need to bring anything. If you have new non-VA medical records, send them before the appointment through the claim status tool, your accredited representative or VSO, or your nearest VA regional office.
Can I get a copy of my exam report?
Yes. The provider cannot give you results at the exam, but VA says you can request the report with VA Form 20-10206, online, by mail or in person at a regional office.
Start the free VA claim questionnaire
Not sure what to gather before your exam? Answer a few simple questions and see what your next steps could look like. Start the free VA claim questionnaire whenever you are ready.
This article is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. SustainBL is not a law firm and does not guarantee any VA decision.
