C&P Exam Preparation Guides
Prepare for your Compensation & Pension examination with condition-specific guides. Learn what to expect and how to best represent your condition.
About C&P Exams
A Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam is a medical examination ordered by the VA to evaluate your claimed disability. Being prepared helps ensure the examiner accurately captures the full impact of your condition.
Auditory/Hearing
Hearing Loss
The hearing loss C&P exam includes an audiological evaluation lasting about 30-45 minutes. You'll be tested in a soundproof booth. The exam includes: 1. Pure …
Tinnitus
The tinnitus C&P exam is typically brief (15-20 minutes) and straightforward. The examiner will ask about your symptoms and their impact on your life. The …
Digestive
GERD (Acid Reflux)
The GERD C&P exam is typically brief (15-20 minutes) and focuses on your symptoms and their impact on daily life. The exam includes: 1. Review …
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
The IBS C&P exam is usually 20-30 minutes and focuses on your symptoms and their frequency. The exam includes: 1. Review of diagnosis and medical …
Endocrine
Mental Health
Anxiety Disorder
The anxiety C&P exam typically lasts 45-60 minutes. A psychologist or psychiatrist will evaluate your anxiety symptoms, triggers, and how they impact your daily life. …
Major Depressive Disorder
The depression C&P exam is typically 45-60 minutes with a psychologist or psychiatrist. The examiner will assess your mood, thought patterns, and how depression affects …
PTSD
The PTSD C&P exam typically lasts 60-90 minutes and is conducted by a psychologist or psychiatrist. The examiner will ask detailed questions about your traumatic …
Musculoskeletal
Cervical Spine (Neck)
The neck C&P exam is similar to the back exam, lasting about 30-45 minutes with both interview and physical components. The exam includes: 1. Medical …
Knee Condition
The knee C&P exam typically takes 30-45 minutes and involves both discussion and physical examination. The exam includes: 1. Review of your injury history 2. …
Lumbar Spine (Low Back)
The back C&P exam typically lasts 30-45 minutes and includes both an interview and physical examination. The exam includes: 1. Review of your medical history …
Shoulder Condition
The shoulder C&P exam takes about 30-45 minutes and includes a physical examination with range of motion testing. The exam includes: 1. Medical history review …
Neurological
Migraine Headaches
The migraine C&P exam typically lasts 20-30 minutes. The examiner will focus on the frequency and severity of your headaches and their impact on your …
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The TBI C&P exam is comprehensive, typically lasting 60-90 minutes. It involves cognitive testing, neurological examination, and detailed symptom assessment. The exam includes: 1. Review …