C&P Exam by Condition: What to Expect for Your Specific Diagnosis

Different VA disability conditions require different types of C&P examinations. Knowing what to expect for your specific condition helps you prepare effectively and recognize when an exam seems incomplete or inadequate.

Mental Health Conditions: PTSD, Depression, Anxiety

PTSD Examination: 60-90 Minutes

PTSD exams are among the longest because they require detailed trauma assessment and mental status evaluation.

What the examiner will do:

• Ask detailed questions about your traumatic event(s)
• Explore your current PTSD symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance)
• Discuss how PTSD affects your daily life, work, and relationships
• Conduct mental status examination (mood, affect, thought process)
• Review your treatment history and current medications
• Assess your insight and judgment

What you should prepare:

• Write down your key traumatic events
• Note your specific symptoms and when they occur
• Describe how PTSD affects your functioning (work, sleep, relationships)
• List your current treatments and medications
• Bring any medical records documenting PTSD diagnosis

Depression/Anxiety: 45-75 Minutes

These exams focus on symptom severity and functional impact.

What the examiner will do:

• Ask about symptom onset and duration
• Explore current depression/anxiety symptoms
• Discuss how condition affects occupational functioning
• Assess suicidal or homicidal ideation
• Conduct mental status examination
• Review medications and treatment response

Important note: Be honest about suicidal ideation if it's part of your history. Disclosing this actually strengthens PTSD and depression claims by showing severity.

Physical Conditions: Back, Neck, Joints

Back/Spine Examination: 30-45 Minutes

Back exams evaluate pain, range of motion, and functional limitations.

What the examiner will do:

• Ask about pain onset, location, and frequency
• Discuss symptoms (numbness, weakness, radiating pain)
• Perform physical examination (inspect, palpate spine)
• Test range of motion in all directions
• Conduct neurological tests (reflexes, sensation, strength)
• Assess gait and ability to walk
• Note any observable limitations

What you should prepare:

• Describe your pain honestly, including worst-day scenarios
• Explain functional limitations (how long you can sit, stand, walk)
• Note any symptoms radiating down legs or arms
• Bring any imaging results (X-rays, MRIs)
• Document treatment history

Knee/Ankle/Shoulder Exam: 15-30 Minutes per Joint

These exams focus on range of motion, stability, and functional impact.

What the examiner will do:

• Ask about injury history and current symptoms
• Perform physical examination (inspect for swelling, deformity)
• Test range of motion (flexion, extension, internal/external rotation)
• Test stability (stress tests for ligaments)
• Assess strength
• Evaluate gait or functional movement
• Note when pain occurs

Critical: During range of motion testing, stop movement when pain occurs. Don't push through. The examiner is documenting where limitations begin.

Respiratory Conditions

Pulmonary Examination: 25-45 Minutes

Respiratory exams include objective lung function testing.

What the examiner will do:

• Discuss your breathing symptoms and limitations
• Review medical history of lung conditions
• Perform physical lung examination (listen to breathing)
• Conduct pulmonary function tests (may take 15-30 minutes)
• Review prior chest X-rays or CT scans
• Assess dyspnea (shortness of breath) with activity

What you should prepare:

• Note activities that cause shortness of breath
• Describe typical symptoms (wheezing, chest pain, mucus production)
• List any environmental triggers
• Bring any prior test results
• Be honest about respiratory symptoms during testing

Hearing and Tinnitus

Audiology Examination: 20-45 Minutes

These exams use objective audiometric testing.

What the examiner will do:

• Discuss hearing history and when hearing loss began
• Perform otoscopic examination (look in ears)
• Conduct audiogram in soundproof booth (15-30 minutes)
• Test speech discrimination
• Assess tinnitus (ringing sound) if applicable
• Discuss impact on communication

What you should prepare:

• Note when you first noticed hearing problems
• Discuss communication difficulties in meetings, crowds
• Describe tinnitus frequency (constant vs. intermittent)
• Mention any vertigo or balance issues
• Bring hearing aid documentation if applicable

Neurological Conditions: TBI, Nerve Damage

Traumatic Brain Injury: 60-120 Minutes

TBI exams are lengthy because they include cognitive testing and neurological assessment.

What the examiner will do:

• Discuss head injury history and mechanism of injury
• Assess current cognitive complaints (memory, concentration, processing)
• Conduct cognitive testing (30-45 minutes of specific tests)
• Perform neurological examination (cranial nerves, balance, coordination)
• Assess mood and behavioral changes
• Review treatment history and current medications
• Discuss functional limitations in work and daily activities

What you should prepare:

• Write down specific cognitive problems you experience
• Note examples of memory issues, concentration problems
• Describe balance or coordination problems
• List any headaches, dizziness, or sensory problems
• Bring neuropsychological testing results if available

Gastrointestinal Conditions

GI Examination: 20-35 Minutes

These exams assess digestive symptoms and functional impact.

What the examiner will do:

• Discuss GI symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, pain, nausea)
• Ask about frequency and severity of symptoms
• Discuss impact on work and daily life
• Perform abdominal physical examination
• Review prior test results (endoscopy, colonoscopy, imaging)
• Assess need for dietary restrictions

What you should prepare:

• Track your symptoms for a week before exam
• Note frequency and triggers
• Describe how symptoms affect work (bathroom access needs)
• List any dietary restrictions
• Bring medical records of prior testing

Skin Conditions

Dermatology Examination: 10-20 Minutes

Skin exams are typically brief because they rely on visual assessment and measurement.

What the examiner will do:

• Visually inspect the affected area
• Measure size of affected area
• Document location and appearance
• Photograph the condition (if needed for record)
• Ask about symptom impact (pain, itching, spread)
• Discuss treatment and prognosis

What you should prepare:

• Have the affected area visible and accessible
• Be prepared to show where condition started
• Describe any worsening or spread
• Note any pain or itching
• Bring prior photos if you have them

Cardiac Conditions

Cardiology Examination: 20-40 Minutes

Cardiac exams include physical examination and sometimes testing.

What the examiner will do:

• Discuss cardiac symptoms and history
• Perform cardiac physical examination (listen to heart, check pulse)
• May conduct ECG/EKG (10-15 minutes)
• Discuss exercise tolerance and limitations
• Review prior cardiac testing results
• Assess symptoms with activity (chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations)

What you should prepare:

• Describe symptoms with activity levels
• Note how far you can walk before symptoms
• Discuss any chest pain or palpitations
• List cardiac medications
• Bring prior test results

Multiple Conditions in One Exam

If you're claiming multiple conditions, the VA may schedule:

• One appointment covering all conditions if they're related or can be evaluated by one examiner
• Separate appointments if conditions require different specialists (mental health vs. orthopedic)

Time planning:

• Multiple related conditions (both knees, back + knees): Add 10-20 minutes per additional condition
• Completely different conditions: Plan for separate, full-duration exams

How to Prepare for Your Specific Condition

General preparation (all conditions):

• Bring medical records and test results
• Wear comfortable, easily removed clothing
• Eat and take medications normally unless instructed otherwise
• Get good sleep the night before
• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Bring list of current medications

Condition-specific tips:

Physical conditions:

• Don't overdo activity the day before (don't artificially worsen your symptoms)
• Show the examiner your limitations honestly
• Stop movement when pain occurs
• Describe both typical days and worst days

Mental health conditions:

• Be prepared to discuss trauma history
• Be honest about symptoms, even embarrassing ones
• Don't minimize or exaggerate symptoms
• Discuss your actual functioning, not what you think you "should" be able to do

What NOT to do:

• Don't fake or exaggerate symptoms (examiners are trained to recognize this)
• Don't minimize symptoms hoping to appear strong (this hurts your claim)
• Don't bring family members to make your case (you need to demonstrate your own functioning)
• Don't arrive late or unprepared
• Don't be argumentative with the examiner

After Your Condition-Specific Exam

Immediately after:

• Write down what was examined and what wasn't
• Note how long the exam took
• Record any concerns about thoroughness
• Get the examiner's name and credentials

Within days:

• Request a copy of the exam report
• Review it for accuracy
• If significant gaps exist, submit a statement to your claim

If exam seems inadequate:

• File a written statement explaining what was missed
• Request a new examination if appropriate
• Submit additional medical evidence from your treating providers

Key Takeaways

• Know what your condition's exam includes: Understanding what will be tested helps you prepare
• Prepare condition-specific evidence: Bring records and information relevant to your condition
• Be honest during the exam: Examiners can distinguish between honest reporting and exaggeration
• Show actual functioning: Describe real limitations, not theoretical ones
• Document afterward: Write down what was examined and any concerns
• Request copies: Always get a copy of your exam report to review
• Don't be afraid to speak up: If exam seems incomplete, request additional evaluation
• Combine with DBQ: Private medical opinion supplements VA examination results