What to Say (and What NOT to Say) at Your VA C&P Exam
The VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam is hands down the #1 most important day in the VA claims process. It’s the day that can make or break your claim — determining not only whether you get service-connected, but also what VA disability rating you walk away with. And that rating can have a life-changing impact on your benefits.
I get it — C&P exams can feel uncomfortable and overwhelming, even nerve-wracking. I’ve personally attended more than 10 in-person VA exams and not one of them made me feel comfortable. But don’t worry, I’ve got your six! In this guide, I’m going to share battle-tested tips to help you crush your C&P exam across the three most critical phases: before, during, and after the exam.
By following these C&P exam tips and strategies, you’ll be prepared to take control of your VA claim and secure the rating and compensation you rightfully deserve. I’m also going to cover what not to say at a VA C&P exam, which can sometimes be even more important than what you do say.
Phase #1: Before the C&P Exam
Before your VA C&P exam, you’ll receive a packet in the mail from a private third-party contractor with all the details about your upcoming exam. Read it carefully — especially what the exam is for and the name of the doctor assigned to your case. I strongly recommend doing some online research to check reviews of the examiner. If you find negative feedback or concerning comments about the doctor, don’t hesitate — call the number provided in your packet and request a new C&P examiner before your exam date. It’s your right to ensure you’re getting a fair evaluation.
Phase #2: C&P Exam Day
Here’s a list of my top 10 C&P exam tips along with detailed explanations and examples for each.
1. Know Your Military, VA, and Private Medical Records Inside and Out
Explanation: Before your C&P exam, it’s crucial to go over all your medical records thoroughly. This includes records from your military service, any VA treatments, and your private doctors. Understanding what’s in your file will help you present an accurate picture to the examiner and ensure you’re aware of key medical information that supports your VA claim.
Example: If your medical records show that you were treated for knee pain during your service and later received a knee replacement, make sure you can explain this clearly during your exam. Review any diagnostic test results or treatment notes that could be helpful in supporting your claim.
2. Review CFR, Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities for Each Condition
Explanation: The VA rates disabilities based on criteria outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Familiarizing yourself with the rating criteria for your specific condition will help you better understand what the VA is looking for when determining your rating.
Example: If you are seeking a higher rating for PTSD, review the rating criteria for PTSD under CFR 38. For example, a 50% rating requires evidence of “panic attacks more than once a week” and “difficulty in understanding complex commands.” Knowing these criteria helps you explain your symptoms in a way that matches the VA’s guidelines.
3. Describe Your Worst Days, Not Your Best Days
Explanation: During your C&P exam, it’s important to describe how your condition impacts you on your worst days, not when you’re feeling your best. Your benefits are based on the severity of your condition, so focusing on your worst symptoms ensures the examiner has an accurate understanding of your disability.
Example: If you have back pain, and some days you can barely get out of bed, explain those days in detail. Saying, “Some days, I can’t even walk because the pain is so bad” gives the examiner a clear picture of how debilitating your condition can be.
4. Be “Uncomfortably Vulnerable” and Don’t Hold Anything Back
Explanation: Veterans often feel pride in their service and may find it difficult to admit the full extent of their disabilities. However, it’s essential to be completely open and honest, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Holding back could prevent you from receiving the correct disability rating.
Example: If you suffer from severe anxiety that causes you to avoid social situations, be honest about it. Instead of saying, “I get nervous sometimes,” explain, “I avoid going out entirely because I get so anxious that I feel physically sick.”
5. Explain How Your Disabilities Are Negatively Impacting Your Work, Life, and Social Functioning
Explanation: The VA is particularly interested in how your disabilities impact your ability to work and function in daily life. You need to describe, in detail, how your condition affects your job, family life, and social activities.
Example: If your migraines make it impossible to focus at work, say, “I’ve missed several days of work this month because the pain is so intense that I can’t look at a screen or concentrate on tasks.” Mention specific limitations, like not being able to attend family events due to your condition.
6. Explain Your Severity of Symptoms in Terms of Frequency, Severity, and Duration
Explanation: During your C&P exam, it’s crucial to describe your symptoms in a detailed manner, focusing on how often they occur (frequency), how bad they are (severity), and how long they last (duration). This helps the examiner understand the full impact of your condition and can directly influence your VA disability rating. The more specific you are about your symptoms, the better.
Example: If you’re claiming a disability for migraines, instead of just saying, “I get migraines,” you could break it down like this:
- Frequency: “I experience migraines about four to five times a week.”
- Severity: “When they occur, the pain is so intense that I can’t tolerate light or noise, and I often feel nauseous to the point of vomiting.”
- Duration: “Each migraine lasts anywhere from 6 to 12 hours, and I have to stay in a dark, quiet room for most of that time.”
By explaining the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms, you paint a clear picture of how debilitating your condition is, which helps the examiner evaluate the true extent of your disability.
7. Know Your True Story Completely, Plus Any In-Service Incidents or Stressor Events
Explanation: Be prepared to explain your entire medical history, including any incidents or stressors that occurred during service. These events are key to connecting your condition to your military service, which is crucial for establishing service connection.
Example: If you are filing for PTSD and experienced a traumatic event during deployment, be ready to explain exactly what happened. For instance, “I was involved in an IED explosion that killed a fellow soldier, and I’ve had nightmares about it ever since.”
8. Give the C&P Examiner a Detailed Picture of Your Life Before, During, and After Service
Explanation: The C&P examiner needs to understand how your life has changed due to your service-related disabilities. Provide a clear comparison of your life before, during, and after service to help illustrate the impact your disabilities have had.
Example: If you were highly active before service but now struggle with mobility, say, “Before I enlisted, I used to go hiking and run marathons. After my back injury during service, I can barely walk without pain.”
9. The C&P Examiner is Not Your Friend; Your Exam Starts Before You Drive Into the Parking Lot
Explanation: Keep in mind that the examiner’s job is to assess your condition, not to be your friend. Be polite and respectful, but remain focused on discussing your symptoms. Your exam technically starts the moment you arrive at the facility, so avoid doing anything that might contradict your claim (e.g., walking briskly when claiming mobility issues).
Example: If you are seeking a rating for a knee injury that affects your ability to walk, be mindful of how you move from the parking lot to the exam room. Limping into the exam and then suddenly walking normally could raise suspicion.
10. Bring Hard-Copy Documents With You to the C&P Exam
Explanation: Always bring physical copies of key medical documents, such as diagnostic test results, personal statements, and buddy letters, to the exam. This ensures that the examiner has everything they need to make an informed decision. You can ask the examiner if he/she wants to review the documents, but don’t force it.
Example: If you have an MRI report showing a herniated disc in your back, bring a copy to the exam. You can say, “Here’s the report from my MRI, which shows the specific disc that’s causing my pain.”
Phase #3: After the C&P Exam
After your C&P exam, you should ask your accredited VSO to download a copy of your C&P exam results from the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS). The other way to view your VA claim exam results is by getting a copy of your VA Claims File (C-File); however, that process can take months. If you’re uncomfortable with how the exam went, or you see a negative medical opinion “less likely than not,” you should call 1–800–827–1000, speak to a VA representative, and request a new C&P exam before the VA denies your claim.
Here’s What Not to Say at Your VA C&P Exam
Your VA C&P exam is one of the most important moments in your VA claim process. This is the time to give an honest and thorough account of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. But there are also some things you should never do during your exam. Here’s a rundown of the big no-no’s to avoid.
1. Don’t Lie or Stretch the Truth
This should go without saying, but never lie or try to stretch the truth. The VA has seen it all, and if they catch you in a lie, it could seriously harm your credibility and potentially result in your claim being denied. It’s also against the law. The C&P examiner is trained to evaluate your condition, so honesty is your best strategy. If you’ve had good days and bad days, it’s okay to acknowledge that. Just be truthful about how your condition affects your life.
Example: If your back pain flares up a few times a week, don’t say it’s constant just to get a higher rating. Be honest and say, “I experience intense pain three or four days a week, and on those days, I can hardly move.”
2. Don’t Overexaggerate Your Situation
Veterans sometimes think that by exaggerating their symptoms, they’ll increase their chances of a higher rating. That’s a mistake. Exaggeration can come across as insincere, and it could backfire. Stick to describing your symptoms exactly as they are.
Example: If you have tinnitus and hear ringing a few times a day, don’t say you hear it 24/7. The examiner can often spot exaggeration, and it can cast doubt on your entire claim. Keep it real.
3. Don’t Downplay Your Symptoms
On the flip side, don’t minimize or downplay your condition out of pride or because you don’t want to seem like you’re complaining. This is not the time to be modest. The VA examiner needs to know how your condition truly affects you — so speak up! Be clear and specific about how your symptoms impact your daily life, work, and relationships.
Example: If you’ve been struggling with PTSD and feel embarrassed to discuss how bad it’s been, fight that instinct. Be honest and say, “I’ve been having nightmares almost every night, and I avoid crowded places because it makes me feel unsafe.”
4. Don’t Do Anything You Wouldn’t Normally Do
Your exam starts before you even drive into the parking lot! Don’t do anything during your exam that you wouldn’t normally do in your day-to-day life. If you normally limp due to knee pain, don’t walk normally into the building to try and “tough it out.” The examiner is watching, and consistency is key. On the flip side, if you don’t normally wear knee brace, don’t wear one on exam day. I’ve also heard veterans talk about not showering for a week before their exam. Please don’t do that. Look and dress how you would on a normal day.
Example: If you’re claiming a knee injury but start walking without a limp, then suddenly limp when the exam starts, the examiner could get the impression that your symptoms aren’t as severe as you claim. Be yourself and show how your condition affects you naturally.
5. Don’t Argue or Debate with the Examiner
Here’s the deal: The examiner is there to assess your condition, not to be your friend or enemy. You’re not going to win any points by arguing with them. If you disagree with something they say, remain calm and respectful, but don’t turn it into a debate. Your goal is to communicate your symptoms clearly and honestly, not to challenge the examiner. Let them do their job.
Example: If the examiner downplays your pain or makes a comment you disagree with, say something like, “I understand your point, but my experience has been different,” and then explain your symptoms again calmly.
About the Author
Brian Reese is one of the world’s top VA disability benefits experts and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Frustrated with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans win their VA disability compensation faster. He has served over 10 million military members and veterans since 2013. A former Air Force officer, Brian deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. He is a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University, where he was a National Honor Scholar.
