C&P Exam – What to Expect

A Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam is a medical evaluation scheduled by the VA to help determine whether a claimed condition is service-connected and how severe it is. These exams are not for treatment—they're strictly to collect evidence for your disability claim.

How to Prepare

Review your submitted medical records and service history
Be specific about symptoms and how they affect your daily life
Describe any worsening or frequency of flare-ups
Bring relevant civilian records if they weren’t already submitted
Arrive early, answer truthfully, and ask questions if confused

Who Performs the Exam?

C&P exams are typically conducted by VA-contracted medical professionals. The examiner may not be a specialist in your condition, but they follow a VA worksheet or Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) to evaluate your symptoms.

What They’re Looking For

Diagnosis and medical consistency
Service connection (or aggravation by service)
Severity and functional impact
Supporting evidence (physical exam, interview, testing)

Condition-Specific Exam Guides

Select a condition below to learn what to expect for that specific C&P exam:

After the Exam

The examiner submits a report to the VA—not directly to you. You won’t receive feedback at the appointment. The VA will review the exam results along with your claim and medical records before making a decision.

Tips

Do not downplay symptoms, you need to let them know and answer questions unless directed otherwise what it is like on your WORST days. Do not lie or exaggerate your symptoms
Mention side effects of medications or treatments, if you are experiencing new symptoms because of side-effects of your primary ailments you may be entitled to additional compensation
In most situations the examiner will not have fully read through your case files. Ensure to reiterate the connection between your current condition and your injury sustained while you were in Active Duty service
Request a copy of your C&P exam through the VA after completion