The Most Common Questions About VA C&P Exams

For injured veterans unable to find or hold down a job due to their limitations, making a disability claim is often the best way to restore their lives to normal. Still, this process can be fairly complicated, especially for newcomers. 

One of the most asked-about aspects of filing a disability claim is the Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. Many veterans wonder what this exam is, what it consists of, and how long after C&P exam for decision 2022. 

Spare a few minutes to learn everything you need to know about C&P exams. Here are the most common questions we get:

1. What Is A C&p Exam?

This exam is a mental and physical examination of a veteran making a VA disability claim. In the majority of cases, you will be required to undergo it with a VA-designated physician. The goal of the C&P exam is to quantify and evaluate the veteran’s claimed condition.

2. Do You Need To Attend A C&p Exam?

If VA asks you to attend the exam, it’s critical that you do. Missing it can be considered reasonable grounds for denying your disability claim. This is because VA requires the evidence of your service-connected disability and its rating, which they will then use to determine the appropriate amount of your disability payments.

3. How Long After C&p Exam For Decision 2022?

After you’re done with the examination, the person who examined you will prepare a report. This includes their review of your medical records, their experience with you, the checkup itself, as well as their findings. 

Depending on the circumstances, the time may vary. How long after C&P exam for decision 2022 is between four and six weeks after the exam, on average. You can expect it to take longer if your case is more complicated. For instance, figuring out the rating is straightforward for individuals who lost a limb, but it’s going to take a lot longer for conditions like PTSD that mandate a more thorough evaluation. 

If you’re wondering how long after C&P exam for decision 2022 and your report still hasn’t arrived, feel free to call the VA hotline (1-800-827-1000) for an update.

4. Can you fail the C&P exam?

We all fear exams, sometimes rightfully so, but the C&P exam is relatively straightforward. For starters, it’s not a test that’s scored nor is it an evaluation of your knowledge. It’s simply an examination where a VA doctor will check your medical records and treatment history, and acquire information on your mental or physical condition. 

It’s also your chance to be vulnerable and explain exactly how your condition is impacting your day-to-day life, and more importantly, the challenges you’re facing in finding employment.

So in short, you can’t fail this test as it’s more akin to a doctor’s appointment or a therapy session than it is to an exam in school.

5. How to know if the exam went well?

While it’s impossible to tell how the exam went until you receive the decision, there are a few signs you can look for.

First, if you notice that the physician looked through your entire claims file, it means they weren’t cutting corners and took a deeper look at your ailments. You can also judge the C&P exam by the rapport you and the examiner established, along with the quality of information exchanged. For example, you got the most out of the exam if you successfully directed the examiner to the relevant medical evidence.

Lastly, many successful claimants reported that the VA ordered the Disability Benefits Questionnaire for their specific condition.

6. Is a favorable C&P important?

It’s very important. C&P exams carry a lot of weight in establishing if your condition is service-related or not. For VA, it’s also the key component of ascertaining how severe your symptoms are and how much compensation is appropriate for your particular set of symptoms. 

In other words, the results of the C&P exam can make or break your claim.

7. Can You Appeal An Unfavorable C&p Exam?

If you were one of the individuals who wanted to know how long after C&P exam for decision 2022 but were disappointed by the results, don’t give up just yet.

Once the report is written and submitted to the VA, it will be included in your disability claims file. The VA will review the report and additional information in your file, and then decide on your claim. During the process, they will describe their opinions on your disability. If they agree that your condition is most likely service-connected, they will rate the disability on a percentage basis, which will determine the amount of benefits you will receive.

You will be notified about the decision in the Notice of Decision. Once you receive it, you have 12 months from the date to file an appeal. 

You can also request a second C&P exam if you believe the examiner is wrong or that they didn’t examine you properly. Call the VA hotline, file a complaint about the exam, and ask the representative on the phone to add your request for a C&P exam to your record. 

Next, open the Veterans Affairs website and upload a Memorandum for Record to your file. Write down your complaints, challenge the assertion of the examiner, and add reminders if the physician hasn’t factored in all the evidence in your file. Lastly, request an additional C&P exam with a different examiner. 

Bonus Question: Can You Expedite The Va Decision?

There are no ways to expedite your disability claim unless you are eligible for priority processing. At the moment, you need to meet the following criteria to request a faster decision:

• Distinguished service history such as receiving a Medal of Honor or having a POW status
• Terminal injuries
• Homelessness

Reasons Why A C&p Might Not Be Enough

Although C&P exams are created to help you, they’re not perfect. You may be legitimately disabled, but the examiners may not be able to fully comprehend the impact of additional factors outside their areas of expertise.

For example, they might not be familiar with how your condition affects your employability as they’re not familiar with the current job market. Similarly, they may claim you’re able to complete a sedentary job without taking into account your lack of transferable skills.

This is why you should consider scheduling an appointment with vocational experts at OAS. We can take a look at the full picture of your disability and offer our expert opinion on not only your physical condition but also how it affects your prospects in the current workplace.

Contact OAS at 1-800-292-1919 to schedule a free consultation and make sure the VA recognizes exactly how serious your condition is