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Compensation & Pension Overview

You’ve been contacted by Compensation & Pension (C&P) office program who was asked by the Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) to arrange the scheduling of your disability examination.  The exam, known to veterans as the C&P Exam, will help Regional Offices make a determination about your disability and in rating your veteran disability claim.

   
Frequently Asked Questions About C&P Exam

 

Who do I call if I have a question about my C&P appointment, want to change my appointment or need transportation?

   

Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  you can contact the C&P unit at your local Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and speak directly with a C&P staff member. 

 

   

   

   

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Who do I call if I have a question about my pending disability claim?

    

Call the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) at 1-800-827-1000 and speak to a Veterans Service Representative.

   

I just saw my primary care physician recently.  Why do I have to have another exam?

    

A C&P exam is designed to specifically answer all questions required by VBA in order to make a decision on your disability claim.  Often, a medical exam that is done for treatment purposes does not provide all the answers, and, does not follow a specific set of guidelines set by VBA. 

      

Should I bring outside medical information to my C & P exam?

     

It may be helpful if it applies directly to the claimed disability, especially if it is diagnostic testing (x-rays, echocardiograms, MRI’s, lab work, etc.).  Please be sure to also bring a complete list of your medications including any over-the-counter medications or vitamins/herbal supplements.  All medical documentation you take to your C & P exam will be considered as evidence for the disability being examined by the C & P medical professional.

    

Why is a C&P exam different from a regular medical exam?

   

   

    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    

  

A regular medical exam is used to treat your medical conditions.  The C&P exam is designed to answer specific legal questions pertinent to your claim.  The C&P exam provides a picture of your current disability status and is used for evaluation purposed only.

    

Is there a cost for my C&P exam?

    

No.  The C&P exam as well as all testing associated with the exam is free of charge.

   

What travel and transportation benefits are available?

    

If you use your own transportation, you may be eligible for travel reimbursement to and from your C & P exam location.  If you use your own transportation you may be eligible for travel reimbursement, if you file within 30 days of the C&P appointment. 

  

*Other stipulations may apply as each VA region sets specific guidelines.

       

What happens to the C&P exam once it is done?

     

Once you have completed your C&P exam, it will be reviewed and signed by the examiner.  On completion, it is sent to the VA Regional Office of the Veterans Benefit Administration that is handling your case file.  Your Regional Office will review the exam along with other evidence that may have been requested or submitted.  After a review of all the evidence, they will make decision on your claim.  You will receive the rating decision in the mail.

     

Is there anything that I should do once I receive my rating decision?

    

When you receive your award letter along with the rating decision, please review it carefully.  If the decision establishes service connection for your disability or an increase in your current disability rating, take the letter to the VA Patient Eligibility department.  This will help to update your medical file and keep an accurate record of your percentage of service connection to avoid any unnecessary billing.

           

How can I find out if I am eligible for medical care at the VA?

  

The VA provides medical care for Veterans based on active duty in the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard.  The character of service at discharge must be Honorable or General.  Those discharged after September 1980 must have a minimum of 24 consecutive months of active duty.  Those discharged prior to September 1980 have no time requirement.  Your level of service connected disability and financial means are also considered in determining VA health care benefits. 

Add Comment

Donald Beville, 8/2/20

I have been to several of these exams. DO NOT TRUST THESE DOCTOR'S.....I have found them to be argumentative and not "there" to help on a claim. If anything, it has been my experience the examiner was in place to help the VA comp raters deny your claim.

    

SFC Monk, 8/1/20

Bring a witness and a notebook, or maybe a tape recorder. As soon as practical, after it's over, record everything you and the provider discussed. In my case the provider seemed to be very adversarial, and would not discuss what caused their negativity. I am still appealing his recommendation.

    

Ronald Murphy, 1/3/20
Denial claim to Sleep Apnea secondary to P.T.S.D. I took a sleep study after I got out of the military and was told that my sleep apnea is border line severe and the study was done at the VA, 01,14,2009.

    

Martin Hailey, 9/1/19

Naval service, Vietnam, 1963-1965, blue water sailor. Have been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. The government now indicates my service off Hainan Island is valid reason for opening the possibility of my having received agent orange due to winds off Vietnam.