VA Benefits
A claim exam (C&P exam) is how the VA checks whether a condition is service-connected and how severe it is; here is how to get ready.
U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Angela Wallace, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, DVIDS (public domain)
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A claim exam, also called a compensation and pension or C&P exam, is a medical appointment the VA may set up after you file a disability claim. Its job is to check whether a condition is connected to your service and how severe it is. It is not treatment: the provider gathers information and sends a report to the VA. Not every claim needs one. Show up, be honest, and describe your worst days.
Source: VA.gov
A C&P exam is an exam that helps the VA decide if you have a service-connected disability and rate how severe it is. Your rating drives your monthly compensation, so this exam can carry real weight. It is not a healthcare visit: you do not get treatment, referrals, or prescriptions from it. Source: VA.gov
Think of it like a records check with a physical component. The examiner is not there to fix you. They are there to document what is going on and report it back.
No. The VA asks for one only when it needs more information to decide your claim. If your file already has enough medical evidence, the VA can use the Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) process and review your records instead of scheduling an exam. Source: VA.gov
That is one reason to load your claim with strong medical evidence up front, such as a nexus letter from a provider. The better your file, the less the VA may need to pull you in.
Either a VA provider or a VA contract provider. The VA uses contractors such as Loyal Source, OptumServe, QTC, and Veterans Evaluation Services to move claims faster, and they follow the same training and licensing standards as VA providers. Source: VA.gov
You can request a male or female provider for reproductive, breast, rectal, or mental health exams, or for any claim tied to military sexual trauma.
The VA or its contractor mails you a letter with the date and time, and may also call or email. Keep your address, phone, and email current in your VA.gov profile, and confirm the appointment when you get the letter. You cannot start the scheduling yourself. Source: VA.gov
If you need to reschedule, tell the VA or the contractor at least 48 hours ahead. Rescheduling can delay your claim, and missing the exam without a good reason can hurt it.
You do not have to bring anything, but if you have new non-VA medical records, submit them before the appointment. A buddy statement from someone who saw your symptoms can help too. Arrive 15 minutes early and wear comfortable clothes so you can move during the exam. Source: VA.gov
Come ready to describe your symptoms on your worst days, not just the morning you happen to feel squared away. The examiner records what you report and what they observe, so downplaying it can work against you.
The provider may do a basic physical, ask questions from the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for each condition you claimed, and order tests like X-rays or blood work at no cost to you. It can take 15 minutes or over an hour, depending on your conditions. Source: VA.gov
The provider cannot tell you the results, answer questions about the claims process, or decide your claim. Their job ends at documenting and reporting.
The provider writes a report and sends it to the VA. The VA then reviews all your evidence, makes a decision, and mails you a decision letter. To get a copy of the exam report, you request it with VA Form 20-10206; you cannot get it at the appointment or from the provider. Source: VA.gov
You can track your claim status online while you wait for the decision letter.
What does C&P stand for?
Compensation and pension. It is the same thing the VA calls a claim exam.
Is a C&P exam a real physical or just paperwork?
It can be both. The provider may do a basic physical exam and may also ask questions from a Disability Benefits Questionnaire. Some exams are short, some run over an hour.
What should I say at my C&P exam?
Describe your symptoms honestly, including how they affect you on your worst days and how they limit work and daily life. The examiner records what you report.
Can I bring my own doctor's DBQ?
Yes. Your own provider can complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire and submit it to the VA, though the VA does not pay for that.
What if I miss my C&P exam?
Missing it can delay your claim, and the VA may decide based on the evidence it already has. If you missed it for a good reason, the VA may reschedule.
Will the VA pay for my travel to the exam?
The VA generally reimburses travel to and from a claim exam, but active-duty service members and people living outside the U.S. or its territories are not eligible for that travel pay.
How do I get my C&P exam results?
Request a copy of the exam report with VA Form 20-10206. You cannot get results at the appointment.
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