C&P Exams

What a C&P exam is

A Compensation & Pension exam is a medical examination ordered by the VA to evaluate a claimed condition for service connection or rating purposes. The exam is conducted by a VA clinician or by a contracted provider (such as VES, QTC, LHI, or Optum Serve).

The examiner reviews your claims file, takes a history, performs the appropriate physical or psychological evaluation, and completes a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for the claimed condition. The DBQ becomes the central piece of evidence the rater uses.

What VA looks for during the exam

• Review your prior C&P reports and rating decisions so you know what the VA has previously documented.
• Bring a printed list of all medications, dosages, and prescribers.
• Write a one-page summary of your symptoms — frequency, severity, triggers, and how often flare-ups occur — and bring two copies.
• Bring relevant private medical records the examiner may not have, especially recent specialist notes.
• Be prepared to describe your symptoms accurately across both your better and worse days, since VA rating criteria are based on overall functional impairment.
• Arrive early. Missing an exam can result in denial or a decision based on the existing record.

During the exam

Be candid and accurate. The VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities is built around functional impairment — the examiner needs an honest picture of what tasks are difficult, how long they take, what assistance you need, and how often symptoms occur.

Accuracy matters in both directions. Examiners document inconsistencies, and inaccurate statements can damage credibility for future claims. Honest, specific, concrete answers are what the rating criteria are designed to capture.

If a yes/no question doesn't fit your situation, it's appropriate to briefly clarify with factual detail (for example, how often a symptom occurs in a typical week).

After the exam

1. Request a copy of the exam report through VA.gov, your accredited representative, or by FOIA.
2. Compare the report against the rating criteria for the condition (38 CFR Part 4) to see whether the findings support the rating you should receive.
3. If the report contains factual errors (wrong history, missed symptoms, ignored records), document them in a written statement.
4. If the exam was inadequate — for example, the examiner did not address aggravation, did not perform required range-of-motion testing, or did not review the file — you can challenge the rating decision and request a new exam.
5. An independent medical opinion (IMO) from a private specialist can rebut a flawed C&P report, especially on nexus questions.

Where these claims break down

• ×Skipping the exam — failure to appear is the most common reason for unnecessary denials.
• ×Describing only your best day without also disclosing how often flare-ups occur.
• ×Not bringing a written symptom summary or current medication list.
• ×Assuming the examiner has read the entire C-file — they often haven't.
• ×Not requesting and reviewing the exam report afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions