Veterans are no strangers to acronyms and if you are a veteran who has a service-connected disability, you may be familiar with the C&P Exam — a Compensation and Pension Exam. This exam is a key factor that determines your eligibility for veterans benefits and your disability rating. Veterans who may need a C&P Exam want to know — how does a C&P Exam affect your VA disability claim? We are here to help answer your questions at VA Benefits Attorneys.

What Is the Purpose of a C&P Exam for Veterans?

Veterans with a service-connected injury, illness, or medical condition may need a C&P Exam. Your disability compensation is based on your disability rating and that rating is built on the severity of your disability — which may need to be verified and determined by a C&P Exam. This medical exam will be directed and scheduled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans in need of an exam will be notified of the time and date by mail, phone, or e-mail. 

Do All Veterans Need a C&P Exam?

No. Not all veterans who file a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs will be required to have a C&P Exam. When you apply for disability benefits, you will be required to provide the proper medical documents to support your claim and prove that your injury, illness, or medical condition is service connected. If you provide the right documentation and provide enough evidence to support your claim, you may not need an exam. 

What Should Veterans Expect From a C&P Exam?

A Compensation and Pension Exam is not your average medical exam. The exam is limited to the specifics of the claim — i.e. PTSD, sleep apnea, migraines, presumptive conditions, and more. The exam may be requested by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) or the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) and the doctor who conducts the exam will ask pointed questions related directly to your disability claim and will then provide a medical opinion on if your disability is or is not linked to military service. Veterans are not required to bring any additional documentation to the exam unless related to a recent illness or condition.

READ MORE: Do You Need a C&P Exam for Presumptive Conditions?  

Are you new to the VA disability claims process? You may need a C&P Exam for your claim and you may want to know — how does a C&P Exam affect your VA disability claim? We hope that this breakdown of the what and why of a C&P Exam has answered your questions.

Contact VA Benefits Attorneys today for additional information about your disability claim!