C&P Exam Preparation
Know exactly what to expect and what to say
What is a C&P Exam?
The VA schedules Compensation & Pension exams to evaluate your disability claims. You will receive a letter or phone call with your appointment details. These exams are often conducted by contracted examiners (LHI, QTC, VES) — not VA employees.
The examiner will assess the severity of your claimed condition through questions, physical tests, and review of your records. They fill out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) — a standardized form that the VA rater uses to assign your percentage.
The exam results directly determine your disability rating. The examiner's DBQ is the single most important document in your claim. How you describe your symptoms in this exam — in the examiner's own words on the DBQ — is what the VA rater reads to assign your percentage.
This is the most important 30 minutes of your claim. How you present your symptoms in this exam can be the difference between 30% and 100%. Preparation is everything.
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Exam Guide
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Practice C&P Exam
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Do's and Don'ts
DO
- ✓Bring buddy statements from people who witness your symptoms
- ✓Describe your WORST days in detail
- ✓Mention ALL symptoms, even ones you think are minor
- ✓Document flare-ups with dates, duration, and severity
- ✓Be specific with frequency: "3 times per week" not "often"
- ✓Mention how your condition affects your employment
- ✓Ask the examiner to note any additional observations
DON'T
- ✗Minimize your symptoms — "It's not that bad"
- ✗Say "I'm fine" when asked how you're doing
- ✗Rush through the exam — take your time
- ✗Forget to mention how it affects your job
- ✗Leave without reviewing the examiner's notes
- ✗Compare yourself to others — "Other vets have it worse"
- ✗Try to appear tough or push through pain during testing
Pre-Exam Checklist
0 / 12 completeImportant
Never lie or exaggerate to the VA examiner. Report your symptoms honestly — but report ALL of them, at their WORST. Many veterans underreport because they've been trained to push through pain. The military taught you to minimize — the C&P exam is the one place where you need to be completely honest about how bad it really is. This tool provides educational guidance only and is not legal or medical advice.