Claims help · C&P exams
Your C&P Exam Questions, Answered
Whether you’re headed to the Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, the Topeka or Leavenworth VA, or a contractor’s office, these are the questions veterans ask most, with straight answers.
- Who examines you
- What gets measured
- What to say
- What if it goes badly
Thank you!
A member of our team will reach out within one business day to schedule your free case review.
Who Will Examine Me, and What Are They Doing?
A VA clinician or a VA-contracted examiner. They review your file, ask about symptoms and history, and may run measurements or tests. For most conditions they complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) built around the rating criteria. Some exams, especially mental health, can be done by telehealth.
What Should I Actually Say?
The truth, in detail. Explain what a bad day looks like, how often flare-ups happen and how long they last, and how the condition affects work, sleep and family. If something hurts during a test, stop and say so. If they don’t ask about something important, bring it up yourself. A one-page written summary helps you stay on track. Our rating guides show what the examiner is looking for.
What If I Can’t Make It, or It Goes Badly?
Can’t make it? Call to reschedule as early as possible. Missing an exam without good cause lets the VA decide on the existing record, and a claim for increase can be denied.
Went badly? Request the exam report. Errors can support a Higher-Level Review, and a private medical opinion can be submitted with a Supplemental Claim.
C&P Exam Questions, Answered: Common Questions
Do I need to bring anything?
ID, your exam notice, a medication list, a short symptom summary, and any recent private records the VA might not have.
Will the examiner decide my rating?
No. The examiner gathers medical information; a VA rater decides the rating using that report and the rest of your file.
Can I get my exam rescheduled?
Yes. Contact the scheduler as soon as possible. Rescheduling is much better than missing it.
How do I see what the examiner wrote?
Request a copy of the exam report from the VA so you can check it for accuracy.
Kansas Veterans: Get the Rating You Earned
Start with a free, no-obligation case review. It takes about a minute.