Any veteran who has filed a claim with the Veterans Administration (VA) for pension or disability compensation may be asked to undergo a compensation and pension (C&P) exam as part of the claims process. This exam helps the VA determine whether a disability is service-connected and whether the condition has worsened over time, needing an increased rating.
The purpose of the exam is for the VA to provide a rating for your disability. Your rating directly determines your monthly compensation. See current VA disability rates to understand what’s at stake.
What is a C&P Exam?
A C&P exam differs from a typical healthcare appointment or medical exam with the VA because an examiner does not prescribe medication or recommend medical treatment. The exam is intended to allow the examiner to review and ask questions about any medical records related to a VA disability claim, including DoD personnel records or treatment records from health care providers.
The length of the exam depends on the number of conditions claimed and whether the VA needs more information to make a decision. Visits can be less than an hour, while an evaluation for mental health may last anywhere from two to four hours.
Who Needs the C&P Exam?
Not every veteran who files a claim will be required to have a C&P exam. If there is enough medical evidence in your record to support your claim (such as doctor reports, hospital records, or test results) an exam may not be necessary. When that information is incomplete or missing, the VA may request a C&P exam to fill the gaps and ensure the claim is processed as accurately as possible.
How is the C&P Exam Scheduled?
The VA will contact you by mail or phone to schedule your exam. For this reason, it’s important to keep your phone number, email, and address up to date with your nearest VA regional office and medical center.
If your exam is scheduled far from home, you may be eligible to request travel reimbursement. Mileage is calculated from your home to the exam facility, and requests can be submitted to the beneficiary travel office. Note that travel reimbursement is not available to active duty service members or veterans living outside the United States.
What Should a Veteran Expect?
Every C&P exam is different, and it is only one part of the overall claims review process. Examiners often review medical records before or after the appointment, so a shorter visit doesn’t mean your claim wasn’t thoroughly evaluated.
During the exam, the examiner may ask questions about your health, observe your behavior, review your VA file, and perform a limited physical exam.
What to Bring
Bring a valid photo ID, a list of your current medications, any recent medical records the VA may not have, and any assistive devices related to your claimed condition. Written notes summarizing your symptoms and how they affect your daily life can also be helpful.
C&P Exam Tips
Prior to and on the day of the C&P exam:
- Keep your contact information up to date with your nearest VA regional office and medical center so you don’t miss your appointment notice.
- Confirm your appointment by calling ahead to verify the date, time, and location.
- Submit all medical evidence before the exam, since examiners cannot add new information to your claim file.
- Attend your appointment; missing it may cause the VA to delay your claim or base it only on existing evidence, which could result in a lower rating. If you need to reschedule, do so as early as possible.
- Arrive early; arriving late may result in the examiner refusing to perform the exam.
- Be honest and don’t downplay your symptoms out of modesty, but don’t exaggerate either. Describe specifically how your condition affects your daily life.
- Multiple conditions mean multiple exams. The VA will try to schedule them on the same day, but can’t always guarantee it.
- Request your exam results afterward using VA Form 20-10206 and review them carefully. If the examiner got something wrong, you can submit a written correction to the VA to have it added to your file.
You can check the status of your VA disability claim online.
After the C&P Exam
Once the exam is complete, the VA will review all evidence in your file, assign a disability rating, and send you a letter outlining its decision. The claims process currently takes just over three months on average, though it may take longer depending on the complexity of your claim or the number of conditions you’ve filed for.
Once you receive your rating, use our VA disability calculator to estimate your monthly compensation. Also, make sure to check VA disability pay dates to know exactly when to expect your monthly pay.
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Jon Rehagan is a 2-time Emmy Award-winning journalist who covers financial topics and military news for the veteran community. With 16 years in broadcast media (including roles in radio and television) Jon has spent his career writing, shooting, editing, and producing everything from long-form investigative specials to daily news broadcasts and digital content. His work has been recognized by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, and he brings that same commitment to accurate, accessible reporting to helping service members, veterans, and military families navigate complex benefits and financial decisions.