When you file a claim for VA disability benefits, you may need to provide various information and evidence to prove your eligibility. Furthermore, the VA may ask you to attend a compensation and pension exam as part of the benefits application process. Knowing what to expect during a C&P exam and what you should do to prepare for it can help reduce the anxiety and stress you may feel about the exam and ensure you can strengthen your disability benefits claim.
Understanding C&P Exams
A compensation and pension exam gives the VA up-to-date information about a veteran’s medical condition. The VA may ask a veteran to attend a C&P exam as part of their review process for the veteran’s disability benefits claim. A medical professional, such as a VA doctor or an independent medical examiner contracted by the VA, will conduct the C&P exam. The VA will cover the cost of the exam, including potentially reimbursing the veteran for their travel expenses to a VA medical center or other healthcare facility.
C&P exams do not involve treating the veteran’s condition. Instead, the examiner evaluates the nature and severity of the condition to determine whether it has a service connection or to provide information that helps the VA assign a disability rating to a qualifying medical condition.
What to Expect During an Exam
Depending on the nature of your medical condition and the information the VA needs to process your disability benefits application, your C&P exam may involve several elements, including:
- A physical examination and physical tests, such as strength tests, cranial nerve exams, or cardiac stress tests
- Lab tests
- Radiology scans, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
- An interview discussing your medical history, the course of your condition, your current symptoms, and their effect on your daily life
- Psychological evaluations for disability claims involving mental health or emotional/behavioral conditions
A C&P exam may take a couple of hours or as long as half a day or a full day, depending on what exams or tests the examiner needs to run. The examiner may or may not provide immediate feedback or findings, especially when an examiner must review your past medical or service records. However, the examiner will draft a report detailing their findings, which goes to the claims reviewer processing your VA disability benefits claim.
How to Prepare for a C&P Exam
Before attending a C&P exam, steps you can take to prepare include:
- Review your application and your medical records to refresh your memory as to what information you’ve submitted to the VA.
- Gather relevant documentation to bring with you, such as medical records, medication lists, or buddy statements.
- Reflect on how your condition affects your daily life so you can provide the examiner with concrete examples, such as missed work, things that aggravate your symptoms, or activities you can no longer perform.
- Remember that the examiner will not act as an advocate, as they have a neutral role designed to evaluate your condition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Potential mistakes to avoid when attending C&P exams include:
- Downplaying, exaggerating, or forgetting to mention symptoms caused by your condition
- Assuming that the examiner has already reviewed your entire medical record
- Failing to mention secondary conditions
Finally, not attending the exam may prove the biggest mistake you can make, as the VA may deny your claim because you failed to attend. You can contact the examiner to reschedule if you cannot make the scheduled date and time.
Contact a VA Disability Lawyer Today
When the VA requests a C&P exam, an experienced VA disability lawyer can help prepare you for what to expect during an exam. Contact Veteran Esquire Legal Solutions today for a free initial consultation to help organize and pursue your VA disability benefits claims.