Seeking VA disability benefits can be a nerve-wracking process. From the moment you submit your application, you’re ready to know what the VA will say, even though an initial decision often takes months.
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In the meantime, you will get correspondences and updates from the VA about your claim’s process. It’s natural to look for clues during this time based on things both said and unsaid by the VA along the way. “Is the VA going slow because I did something wrong? Does this message I received mean my application will be rejected?” And now you’re wondering “is a C&P exam a good sign?”
In this article, we explain what a C&P exam is, why it’s important, and what it means when the VA says a C&P exam is or is not needed for your claim.
In this article about whether a C&P exam is a good sign:
What is a C&P exam?
A C&P exam is also known as a compensation and pension exam or a claim exam. It’s a medical examination meant to assess your level of disability or whether your disability is related to your service.
A medical professional typically performs the C&P exam at their office. Depending on your specific concern, this professional may be a doctor, psychiatric nurse, clinical psychologist, or nurse practitioner. You may be seen by a doctor who specializes in health conditions like yours. For example, you might see a cardiologist if you have cardiomyopathy, or an endocrinologist if you have Grave’s disease.
Downloadable C&P Exam Preparation Checklist
Click the image to download or print your own copy of our exam checklist or read more here.
Private doctors also sometimes do C&P exams for patients, but not all will. Like VA doctors, they can fill out a DBQ to ensure the VA has the information it needs for a VA disability decision.
Depending on your health concern, it may involve a physical examination and other testing. You should be prepared to answer a variety of questions about how your condition affects your daily life and work, and what symptoms you experience.
Why a C&P exam is so important
Evidence gathered in a C&P exam can have a big influence on your claim.
If the VA schedules a C&P exam for you, it means more information is needed to decide your disability claim. Even if you provided thorough supporting evidence and medical documentation, the VA may decide a C&P exam is necessary to determine the severity of your condition and issue an opinion on whether there is a medical link, or nexus, between your service and your disability.
Not every veteran seeking benefits is asked to attend a C&P exam, but many are. You must attend if an exam is requested. If you can’t attend the exam when it’s scheduled, it’s essential to reschedule it as soon as possible. If you miss your exam for an original disability claim, the VA will not automatically deny you disability benefits, but your claim will be decided based only on the evidence it already has. If an examination was scheduled for any other original claim, a supplemental claim for a benefit which was previously disallowed, or a claim for increase, the claim will be denied.
Is a C&P exam a good sign?
A C&P exam is neither a good nor bad sign. Likewise, no C&P exam is neither a good nor bad sign.
As previously mentioned, not being asked to attend a C&P exam indicates the VA has decided no more information or evidence is needed to decide your claim. No C&P exam may indicate your claim is well-developed and includes sufficient evidence for a VA adjudicator to make a decision. However, that does not necessarily mean the decision will be in your favor, nor that you will receive the disability rating level you believe you are owed.
As nice as it would be to get an early hint about whether your VA disability application will be approved, there is no sure way to know what the VA will decide until you get a decision letter.
How Woods & Woods can help
At Woods & Woods, we focus on helping non-working veterans with service-connected conditions get individual unemployability benefits and, in some cases, increased ratings. We also help survivors of veterans receive their DIC benefits. If you think we can help you with your claim, call us today for a free case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we take and win your case.
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Frequently asked questions
A C&P exam is neither a good nor bad sign. If you have been asked to attend a C&P exam, the VA has determined it needs more information to make a decision on your disability application.
No C&P exam is neither a good nor bad sign. Not being asked to attend a C&P exam indicates the VA has decided no more information or evidence is needed to decide your claim. However, that does not necessarily mean the decision will be in your favor.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
