Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam Guide

What is a C&P Exam?

A C&P exam, or Compensation and Pension exam, is a medical examination ordered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to gather more evidence for a veteran's disability claim. The exam's primary purpose is to determine if a condition is service-connected and to assess its severity, which dictates the disability rating and amount of compensation a veteran will receive.

What to Expect and How to Prepare

• Be Prepared: Review your claim application and medical records beforehand. Bring notes or a daily journal documenting your symptoms on your worst days. Examiners focus on how your condition impacts your current daily life and ability to work.
• Be Honest and Specific: Describe the frequency, intensity, and duration of your symptoms truthfully. Avoid downplaying your condition. Do not say "I'm fine" or "Others have it worse."
• Range of Motion Tests: During physical exams, if a movement causes pain, stop and inform the examiner; do not allow them to force the motion further.
• Mental Health Exams: Expect questions about your mood, behavior, memory, and how your condition affects your social and work life.
• Stay Focused: The examiner has a limited amount of time. Stick to the questions required for the DBQ. Do not go off-topic with complaints about the VA system or unrelated issues.