VA C&P Exam: What to Expect During Your Compensation & Pension Exam

A Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam is a medical examination scheduled by the VA to evaluate your claimed disability. The exam is free and critical to your claim—the examiner's opinion directly influences whether the VA approves your claim and what percentage rating you receive.

Understanding what happens during your C&P exam reduces anxiety and helps you present your condition effectively.

What Is a C&P Exam?

A C&P exam is a medical evaluation where a contracted physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant examines you to determine:

• Whether your condition exists
• How severe your condition is
• How your condition affects your ability to function
• Whether the condition is service-connected (if applicable)
• What rating percentage is appropriate

Important: The C&P examiner does NOT decide if you're service-connected. They only evaluate your current condition. The VA regional office uses the examiner's medical opinion along with your evidence to make the service-connection decision.

Who Performs C&P Exams?

C&P exams are conducted by:

• VA Medical Centers: VA doctors and nurse practitioners
• Contracted medical providers: Private doctors contracted by the VA through QTC, LHI, or Maximus

The examiner is usually:

• MD (Medical Doctor)
• DO (Doctor of Osteopathy)
• NP (Nurse Practitioner)
• PA (Physician Assistant)
• Psychologist (for mental health conditions)

C&P Exam Timeline

How Long Until Your Exam?

The VA typically schedules C&P exams 2-6 weeks after your claim is received, depending on:

• Backlog at the VA medical center or contractor
• Availability of examiners
• Complexity of your condition
• Your location (rural areas may have longer waits)

Duration of the Exam

Exam length varies by condition:

• Physical exams: 20-45 minutes
• Mental health exams: 45-60 minutes
• Multiple conditions: 60-90 minutes total
• Complex cases: Can exceed 90 minutes

What to expect timing-wise:

1. Check-in: 5-10 minutes
2. Medical history review: 5-10 minutes
3. Physical examination: 10-30 minutes
4. Documentation: 5-10 minutes
5. Total time in facility: 45-90 minutes

What the Examiner Will Do

Standard Exam Components

For all exams:

1. Review your medical history:

   • When did your condition start?
   • What treatment have you received?
   • What are your current medications?
   • Have you been hospitalized?
   • Family medical history

2. Ask about your symptoms:

   • How does your condition affect daily activities?
   • How does it affect your ability to work?
   • How does it affect sleep?
   • How does it affect relationships?
   • What activities can't you do?

3. Perform physical examination:

   • Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature)
   • General observations (gait, posture, appearance)
   • Condition-specific testing
   • Range of motion testing (for joint/muscle conditions)
   • Neurological testing (for nerve/brain conditions)
   • Mental status evaluation (for mental health conditions)

4. Document findings:

   • Write detailed notes
   • Perform specific medical tests
   • May request imaging or lab work
   • Provide medical opinion on severity

Condition-Specific Exams

Back/Spine injury:

• Range of motion testing
• Strength assessment
• Ability to bend, twist, sit, stand
• Pain evaluation
• Nerve function tests

Joint conditions (knee, ankle, shoulder):

• Range of motion measurements
• Stability testing
• Strength assessment
• Swelling/inflammation evaluation
• Functional limitations

Mental health (PTSD, anxiety, depression):

• Detailed trauma history
• Symptom severity assessment
• Ability to concentrate
• Sleep patterns
• Suicidal/homicidal ideation screening
• Functional limitations
• Mental status testing

Hearing loss:

• Hearing test (audiogram)
• Speech discrimination testing
• Tinnitus evaluation
• Balance testing

Vision loss:

• Visual acuity testing
• Field of vision testing
• Visual efficiency evaluation

What to Bring to Your C&P Exam

Essential documents:

• ✓ Photo ID (driver's license, passport)
• ✓ Appointment notice from VA
• ✓ Insurance card (if you have private insurance)
• ✓ List of current medications
• ✓ List of current doctors treating you
• ✓ Recent medical records (if requested)

Recommended items:

• ✓ Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (easier for examiner to assess)
• ✓ List of symptoms and functional limitations
• ✓ Pain diary or symptom journal (if you kept one)
• ✓ Medical documentation (test results, imaging reports)
• ✓ Prescription bottles (shows medications and dosages)
• ✓ Notebook to take notes

What NOT to bring:

• ✗ Legal documents or claim evidence (save for written statement)
• ✗ Weapons or prohibited items
• ✗ Multiple support people (typically one person allowed)

What the Examiner CANNOT Do

The C&P examiner does NOT:

• ✗ Make the final rating decision (VA regional office does)
• ✗ Approve or deny your claim (regional office decides)
• ✗ Promise a specific rating
• ✗ Discuss the rating decision process
• ✗ Answer legal questions about your case
• ✗ Look at your service records or prior decisions
• ✗ Discuss other benefits (IU, SMC, etc.)

What they CAN do:

• ✓ Evaluate your current medical condition
• ✓ Provide professional medical opinion
• ✓ Explain what they're examining and why
• ✓ Answer general medical questions
• ✓ Direct you to VA resources

Common C&P Exam Scenarios

Scenario 1: First-Time Exam

What to expect:

• More extensive health history review
• Baseline measurements
• Thorough physical examination
• Longer appointment (60-90 minutes)
• More detailed questions

Pro tip: Bring medical records if you have them to help the examiner understand your condition's history.

Scenario 2: Rating Increase Exam

What to expect:

• Focused on changes since last exam
• Comparison questions ("Is this worse than before?")
• Emphasis on functional limitations
• Shorter appointment (30-45 minutes)
• May reference prior exams

Pro tip: Emphasize how your condition has worsened since the last exam.

Scenario 3: Reexamination/Periodic Exam

What to expect:

• Similar to original exam
• Assesses whether condition has changed
• May check if treatment is working
• Evaluates current rating appropriateness

Pro tip: Bring any new medical records showing changes or progression.

Tips for a Successful C&P Exam

Before the Exam

1. Confirm your appointment:

   • Call to confirm date/time/location
   • Allow extra travel time
   • Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early

2. Prepare your history:

   • Write down key dates (when condition started, treatments, hospitalizations)
   • List current medications and dosages
   • Note side effects you're experiencing
   • Prepare a brief symptom summary

3. Gather medical records:

   • Bring recent test results
   • Bring treatment summaries
   • Have provider contact information available

4. Plan your presentation:

   • Be honest about your symptoms
   • Describe your worst-day symptoms (not best day)
   • Explain functional impact on work/daily life
   • Bring pain diary or symptom log if you have one

During the Exam

1. Be honest and detailed:

   • Answer questions completely
   • Don't minimize or exaggerate
   • Describe how condition affects your life
   • Mention all symptoms, not just major ones

2. Describe functional limitations:

   • "I can't sit for more than 20 minutes before my back hurts"
   • "Loud noises trigger panic attacks that last 2-3 hours"
   • "My tremors make it impossible to use a computer mouse"
   • Specific examples are more valuable than general statements

3. Bring medical records if available:

   • If you have recent tests, imaging, or reports
   • These support your condition description
   • Helps examiner understand severity

4. Ask clarifying questions:

   • "What are you testing for?"
   • "How does this relate to my claim?"
   • Most examiners are willing to explain briefly

5. Stay calm and professional:

   • Don't argue with the examiner
   • Don't contradict yourself
   • Don't get defensive if questioned
   • Remember: The examiner is evaluating your condition, not your character

After the Exam

1. Know what to expect next:

   • Exam report typically sent to VA within 7-14 days
   • You'll receive a new rating decision 30-60 days after exam
   • You can appeal if you disagree with the decision

2. Keep your appointment confirmation:

   • Proof that you attended the exam
   • Useful if there's ever a dispute about appointment

3. Note any issues:

   • If examiner seemed unprepared
   • If you felt rushed
   • If exam didn't cover important symptoms
   • Document for potential appeal

Common C&P Exam Mistakes to Avoid

1. Arriving late or missing appointment:

   • If you miss without good reason, claim can be denied
   • Always confirm appointment beforehand
   • Plan extra travel time

2. Downplaying symptoms:

   • Don't say "I'm fine" if you're not
   • Describe your worst days, not your best days
   • Examiners expect disabled veterans to have limitations

3. Exaggerating or lying:

   • Examiner will notice inconsistencies
   • False claims can lead to fraud charges
   • Stick to truth—even without exaggeration, truth is usually compelling

4. Bringing extensive documentation:

   • Don't hand examiner a 100-page binder
   • Bring key documents only
   • Keep it concise and organized

5. Discussing service connection or rating:

   • Examiner can't help with this
   • Focus on describing your condition
   • Let the evidence speak for itself

6. Being defensive or argumentative:

   • Examiner isn't the enemy
   • They're evaluating your condition objectively
   • Hostility won't help your case

7. Forgetting to mention symptoms:

   • Write down all symptoms before exam
   • Mention everything relevant
   • Don't leave important details out

What Happens After Your C&P Exam

Timeline:

1. Exam report written: 7-14 days after exam
2. Report sent to VA: 3-7 days after written
3. VA regional office reviews: 2-4 weeks
4. Rating decision issued: Usually within 4-8 weeks of exam

Possible outcomes:

• ✓ Approved: Claim granted with rating and effective date
• ✓ Approved at higher rating: Exceeds what you claimed
• ✗ Approved at lower rating: Lower than claimed
• ✗ Denied: Insufficient evidence of service connection
• ? Remanded: More evidence needed, usually another exam

If you disagree:

• File Supplemental Claim if you have new evidence
• File Higher-Level Review if VA misinterpreted exam findings
• Request another C&P exam through appeal process

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get results after the C&P exam?

Results typically come within 4-8 weeks. You'll receive a rating decision letter in the mail and notification on VA.gov.

Will I know the result right after the exam?

No. The examiner cannot discuss potential ratings or results. The VA regional office reviews the exam report and decides your rating.

Can I have someone with me during the exam?

Yes, you can bring one support person. They'll typically wait in the waiting room during the exam itself, but can be present for check-in and check-out.

What if I disagree with the C&P exam results?

You can appeal the rating decision. The regional office uses the C&P exam opinion, but they also consider all other evidence. If you believe the exam was inadequate, you can request another exam during appeal.

What if the examiner seemed unprepared or didn't examine my main complaint?

Document this detail. If you appeal, mention that the exam was inadequate or didn't address key symptoms. You can request a supplemental exam.

Key Takeaways

• C&P exams are free medical evaluations that assess your current condition
• Exams typically last 20-90 minutes depending on your condition
• Examiners evaluate functional limitations, not just medical diagnosis
• Honesty and detail about how your condition affects your life are crucial
• Be prepared with your medical history and symptom list
• Don't exaggerate or minimize—be truthful and specific
• Results come 4-8 weeks after exam in a rating decision letter
• You can appeal if you disagree with the exam conclusions